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Argyle House

The University of Edinburgh, Central Campus, 3 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DR

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The meeting room suite is located on level E. On levels D, F, H & K there are offices.

Rooms and Spaces Links

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Central Area is located on the south side in the city centre. Traffic congestion can be a problem and parking is strictly controlled.
    • There are car parks available to the rear of Evolution House, and in front of the Main Building and the Hunter Building. The Transport and Parking Office of the University of Edinburgh manages parking at the University. University car parks are for the use of permit holders only and are subject to the university’s parking regulations.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses from all over the city travel to the Central Area of the university. The majority of buses are operated by Lothian Buses. Up to the minute "real time" bus timetable information is now available at bus stops across the city. Information panels provided next to each bus stop let you know when the next bus services will be arriving, or if there has been a delay.
  • By Train View
    • The Central Area Lauriston Campus is 0.9 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Station. It should be noted that some of the walking routes may feature paths with steep gradients or steps given the landscape. A taxi can be taken from the station to the site. Edinburgh has rail links throughout the UK. The East Coast mainline, which links Edinburgh and London King’s Cross, is the UK's fastest intercity railway: you can travel between the cities in around 4 hours. Or, if you prefer to travel overnight, a sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley 6 nights a week. There are great links to other cities too. The journey to Glasgow only takes 45 minutes, while York, Newcastle or Aberdeen can be reached in about 2 hours. All trains arrive at Waverley Station in the centre of the city, although some trains also stop at Haymarket, which is a smaller station in the West End.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by visitors and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges.
    • The car park is located in front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Lady Lawson Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located off Lady Lawson Street it is bypassed if you use the Car Park.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
    • The width of the ramp is 136cm (4ft 6in).
  • Comments View
    • There is also an easy slope immediately beyond the entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to level E of the building.

Reception (Argyle House)

  • The reception is located to your right on entrance.
  • The desk is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • This is the main reception for the building.
    • This building is shared with organisations other than The University of Edinburgh.

Entrance (Meeting Room Suite Level E)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in front of you on entrance to Argyle House.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The automatic door(s) is / are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 99cm (3ft 3in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp or slope is permanent.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides going up.
    • The width of the ramp is 136cm.

Reception (The Information Services Group Reception)

  • The Information Services Group Reception is located in front of you on entrance to meeting room suite on level E.
  • The desk is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the meeting room suite level E entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the area.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The system is a fixed loop.
    • Hearing loops are located within the meeting rooms in the level E meeting room suite.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are A-B-C-D-E-F-H-J-K-L-M.
    • The stairs are located just beyond the lifts.
    • The stairs are approximately 15m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • These stairs are common facilities shared with the other organisations that occupy the building.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in front of you on entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are A-B-C-D-E-F-H-J-K-L-M.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 106cm (3ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 180cm x 132cm (5ft 11in x 4ft 4in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • These lifts are common facilities shared with the other organisations that occupy the building.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located next to the meeting suite entrance on level E.
    • There are similar accessible toilets on levels H and K. These can be seen in photographs 2 & 3.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 173cm (4ft 11in x 5ft 8in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 69cm (2ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 76cm (2ft 6in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The toilets are common facilities, located within the general circulation areas of the building.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • There are female and male toilets on floors D, E, F, H and K.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located next to the meeting suite entrance on level E.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 10m from the main entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.
  • Comments View
    • The toilets are common facilities, located within the general circulation areas of the building.