“Anyone know where Emdeck is?”: A definitive ranking of UoP’s teaching spaces / buildings

By Caroline Bond

Whether you’re new to Plymouth or approaching the end of your degree: it’s important to scope out the hottest study spaces across campus. When it comes to timetabled sessions we often don’t get a say in which buildings our lectures and seminars take place. Lucky for you guys, I’ve spent my free time in between lectures creating a comprehensive list of the best and the most soul-destroying teaching spaces.

So let’s get stuck in.

1. Roland Levinsky Building

(Roland Levinsky Building, credit: ArchDaily)

Starting off strong at number one we have (yep, you guessed it) Roland Levinsky Building (RLB). One of the more modern campus buildings, RLB boasts plenty of natural light and stunning interior decor. Named after Professor Roland Levinsky former vice-chancellor of UoP,

RLB has Southside Café on the first floor and the Container Café on the ground floor for ultimate lunchtime browsing.

2. Portland Square

(Portland Square, credit: University of Plymouth)

Straight in at number two we have Portland Square (PSQ). Similar to RLB, Portland Square is spacious and has plenty of natural light. Besides the strange baby sculpture outside, PSQ is very easy on the eye. Arguably the best thing about Portland Square are the pizzas sold at the ground floor café. With prices starting at just £5 per pizza, this scran is tasty AND cheap. It’d be rude not to, right?

3. Rolle

(Rolle Building, credit: Classic Builders)

At number three we have Rolle building. A personal favourite of mine, Rolle is simple yet classy. Hosting a range of different sized teaching spaces and common areas, Rolle just gets it right. Bonus points for being on the same street as everyone’s favourite student pub JSV, and sensational sandwich shack Mrs Browns. It’s also the only building open past regular teaching hours so you’re likely to find a lot of UPSU societies based there.

4. Emdeck Building

(Emdeck Building, credit: Plymouth Live)

Now this one could cause some controversy. At number 4 we have Emdeck Building. Located behind the train station, it’s tradition for every Plymouth fresher to struggle locating this one.

Converted from an old Royal Mail sorting office, Emdeck is sleek and surprisingly large. The spacious teaching rooms and large windows make for great seminar environments. Emdeck café also has great breakfast options, so make sure you swing by in the morning for your breakfast bap of choice.

5. Smeaton Building

(Smeaton Building, credit: ResearchGate)

Smeaton Building makes an appearance at number five. There’s not much to say about Smeaton except it’s extremely ordinary. The corridors seem to carry on forever and the walls could do with a lick of colour. Located right in the heart of campus, Smeaton’s only a short stroll from the Charles Seales-Hayne Library and SU shop. Minus points for having no working lifts at the start of the Autumn term (they’ve been repaired now, thank GOD).

6. Fitzroy Building

Next up at number six, we have good ‘ol Fitzroy. The dull, grey exterior of this building doesn’t exactly excite the senses. Completed in the 1970s, this building could definitely do with a remodel. If you’re heading to a lecture in this building you could be mistaken for walking to the gallows, however it is slap bang in the middle of campus so no biggie if you’ve overdone it on leg day at the gym.

7. Reynolds

In second to last place we have Reynolds. Now, Reynolds looks interesting from the outside but don’t get your hopes up. You’d be forgiven for mistaking the doors facing the road for the entrance (it’s not). The lack of windows in the teaching rooms on the first floor are reminiscent of an eighteenth-century dungeon. It is directly opposite Tesco Express though, so make sure you bring your Clubcard with you to grab essential study snack.

8. Cookworthy

And in last place we have Cookworthy. Nowhere near the main campus, Cookworthy is a trek and a half away. The windows inside the teaching rooms only open a crack which means the rooms are hella stuffy. That’s if you manage to find the correct room: the narrow, twisting corridors make you feel like you’re trapped in a maze and the lifts are slower than waiting for a response from student finance. Pretty much the only decent thing about Cookworthy is the café on the ground floor and even that’s scraping the barrel.

Do you also have strong opinions about the buildings you have your lectures in? Do you agree with the bold claims I’ve laid before your eyes? Head to our Instagram @uopgazette to have your say.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this piece by the author are their own – they do not and are not intended to represent the beliefs and opinions of Plymouth University, University of Plymouth Student Union or the Plymouth Gazette.

Picture credit: Wikimedia commons