The best spots around AUB Campus – in my opinion

The cosiness of Arts Bar, along with its views over both sides of the campus, is a great atmosphere to chill and socialise with friends in-between the hustle and bustle of the day’s events and lectures.

One of the viewpoints from Arts Bar is the balcony, which is a beautiful place to capture the sunlight whilst sipping on a warm coffee in the cold, or ice frappé in the warmth. To me, it serves as an intimate space to sit and observe campus life whilst talking to my friends.

The spaces within Arts Bar are also fantastic spots to eat lunch, snacks or drink solo or with friends on breaks, no matter the weather. There’s a variety of seating options, from the sofas to the high seating near the windows overlooking the North Building. Wherever you choose, Arts Bar will always be a stellar place to hang out in.

Perhaps high up on this list is the Interior Architecture and Design (IAD) Studio’s very own lounge. This is my favourite spot to study, especially in the mornings when the sunlight comes flooding in making everything gleam.

It’s a cosy and inspiring space to work on my AutoCAD drawings or my InDesign portfolio, and the doors block out most of the sound from the main studio, making it a good choice even without headphones. I often use this space by myself, but sometimes my friends feel drawn to the space just like me, and we study together. Although it is a small space and not really ideal to work on large drawings, it’s still a perfect space for working on my laptop, discussing design ideas, presenting my work to clients or simply taking a break from it all. The lounge has inspired me to find an office in the future that makes me feel relaxed and calm as I work, amongst the creative chaos of being an interior architect and designer.

An atmosphere of peace and tranquillity – and an open space to discuss your troubles and concerns – you guessed it, it’s the wellbeing drop-in and counselling rooms in the Student Services building.

This is very much the same vibe as the IAD Lounge, except a space with a different purpose; these rooms were designed to be calm and laid back, giving students and staff the opportunity to free their minds of anything that may be shackling them, whilst providing the opportunity for growth and understanding.

There are a variety of rooms in Student Services, and I’ve also experienced what it’s like in the careers meeting rooms, and the slightly bigger rooms where I attended Debate Society socials at the beginning of the year. The comfortable seating and colour schemes, as well as an abundance of indoor plants, make the space welcoming and inclusive, making it almost irresistible to visit, just to sit and unwind. Natural light is key to good wellbeing, and this was well thought-out in the design of the building – each room has floor-to-ceiling windows for enough lighting, or views of the greenery past the campus grounds.

If I ever need a space to go to escape the daily hustle, I’ll come here to talk through anything that may be on my mind and gain advice and direction for my next steps.

AUB campus' courtyard is one of the greenest spaces to enjoy the sunshine on a better day. As it filters through the trees or reflects against the windows of the South House building and illuminates the artwork on the side of the Refectory, students gather at the picnic tables or the stone seating that borders the grass – it’s an amazing open space within easy reach of my department, and most departments on campus. I’d recommend relaxing here as summer begins to unravel, as it’s the perfect space to socialise with friends in between lectures, share food, and enjoy the view.

One of the most sought-after spaces for studying is the Library. The materials section is one of my favourite spaces here, as I’ve discovered that fish scales can be made into a sustainable material for architecture – who knew?

The ServiceDesk team are very friendly and have helped me with some strange technology hurdles I’ve faced with my trusty Mac since arriving as a buzzing first-year. The Library team themselves are always available to help and are very useful when you’re struggling to find a book amongst the masses. The MoDiP museum is a fascinating, dynamic space where I’ve discovered some unique and bizarre design ideas that have made my creativity tick. You’ll never run out of inspiration on campus if you know where you’re looking.

Certainly not my final choice for favourite places on campus, but a worthy mention, is the Lecture Theatre at South House. It’s always been in my imagination that I’d have lectures in a proper theatre when I become a university student, but given the nature of my course, it’s not a frequent occurrence, which makes it all the more special.

When we watch films related to our work, like the screening of Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son for our second project, it’s fun to bring popcorn and snacks to share with friends and sit up high to get a good view of the screen. It plays into the aesthetic of being a university student and is a really enjoyable experience.

I hope when you make your way around campus you can stop to appreciate the brilliance of these spaces just like I did – you’ll discover just how much more fun being an AUB student can be.