Map Basics

When you first load onto the map, you’ll be greeted with a familiar outline of the main trinity campus and its buildings, you’ll also notice lots of colourful symbols that represent the location of student spaces. The TCD Sense Map makes use of many commonly used symbols while also providing many new or specific meanings to symbols within the context of the map and its functions.

Figure 1, The TCD Sense Map showing the buildings on trinity's main campus and colourful icons to represent student spaces, July 2024.

Map Colours & Design

The foundation map consists of a simple colour scheme that represent Buildings, Pathways and Grasslands.

Student Space Icons

Space Types

Spaces are usually notable sites across the campus that may provide some function or resource for students. Spaces are categorised based on their primary purpose and style of usage, these categories try to capture the ideal and observed nature of the spaces. Here are the categories and what they mean.

Study Spaces

These are spaces where students can study and work on assignments, these areas are usually quiet and may have access to resources such as books or computers. Generally, you shouldn’t socialise or have lunch in these areas, and while they are quiet the strict atmosphere may not be relaxing to all. These spaces are usually within Libraries, or dedicated study spaces.

Respite Spaces

Respite spaces are dedicated, usually individual and sometimes bookable, rooms or small spaces where a student can go to relax and be at peace, either as part of their daily routine, or if the need arises. These spaces tend to be cosy, providing low stimulation, soft and relaxing furniture, with the aim of bringing peacefulness to students in need.

Social Spaces

Social spaces are areas where students can socialise, have some food, collaborate on projects, and engage in a higher-energy environment. These spaces tend to be larger, more open, and attract many students all day long, particularly during the lunch when students look for places to sit and eat, or catchup with friends.

Quiet Spaces

Quiet Spaces are areas that tend to have low levels of noise and provide peacefulness to students. Usually smaller, allowing students to socialise, study or have lunch in peace.

Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor areas give students the space to connect with nature and feel more relaxed in the open fresh air. These areas would have seating of varying scales, allowing for versatile use. Students can socialise, eat, or just be at peace surrounded by nature. 

Society Spaces

Societies are a critical part of the university experience and life learning, there are many society operated spaces across the campus, whether it’s a popular place to host an event, or a society owned space for members to socialise and join in activities.

Sports Spaces

Sports facilities and popular sporting locations can be easily found with these spaces.

Interacting with the Map

You can move around the map, zoom in and out, and interact with buildings or space icons. More information can appear when you zoom in, giving you more details, building names and locations of spaces. You will also find buttons on the edge of the screen, one for controlling visible layers in the top right, and one for accessing the Search Engine. You can also find jump pads, which can be used to travel to areas far away from the main campus, such as Trinity Halls.

Map Buttons

There are many buttons found in the corners of the map that can make finding the right information much easier.

These buttons include controls for the Zoom, Layers, and access to the Map Search Page as well as a Legend for the Map.

Layers

You can use the layer controls to filter spaces by type, allowing you to clearly see spaces across the map.