Today is Thursday, October the 1rst. It is just a few minutes before ten as I am writing this. This morning I have a studio booking. About half an hour ago, I entered the building by the Lauriston Place’s door on Hunter Building. Because If I don’t, I can’t access the café. And I needed a cup of coffee. I walked in for the second time since classes started, and discover an empty room. The café staff is leaning on the counter, waiting for anyone brave enough to leave the comfort of their home to grab a coffee, or anything really. I order looking at them through a thick wall of Plexiglas. They ask a question like “with sugar?” but I can’t hear.
I got a cookie with my order, even though I had only asked for coffee. And a ticket, to win a bike, too. All that for 1.85£. I recommend.
After grabbing my cup, I make my way deeper into the building, empty but not silent. A siren is blaring loudly in the corridors. No one seems to care too much about it. I must take a big detour to get to the room. But once there, it is locked. My coffee is already getting cold from all the walking and the room is locked. I go back down, more or less following the arrows on the floor. I ask one of the staff to open the door. I follow him in a small staircase, and he says, “hope no one sees us going up this way”, while we keep going following the arrows in reverse.
ECA is so empty, it almost feels like an abandoned castle. All areas are restricted but you would wonder what for.
This morning I am alone in ECA, and I miss the way this building used to be vibrant and lively. This morning I wish I were in an overcrowded studio in my first year, with someone sitting 50cm away.
If any of my fellow classmates are reading this, please take the time and book studio spaces. Please take the time to grab a cup of coffee or tea, please smile at the staff you meet in the corridor. ECA capacity is reduced but that doesn’t mean it is not accessible. I am pretty sure there are less of 5 students in the whole of ECA this morning. There are plenty of spaces left if you want to work, get a break from home, or from your flatmates.
Bring to this building the atmosphere it used to have. Even with social distancing, it’s not impossible. Right now it is just an empty building where float ghosts of the past.
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