Color and the perception of color are responsible for a variety of psychological stimuli and affect how we experience the spaces around us. The fact is, color is everywhere. It is one of the few constants of our world. And yet you might have wondered just what its role in architecture is.

For starters, color is one of the constructive elements that go into design. But it’s more than just a minor component. It also has a profound effect on our experience and perception of a space.

A simple explanation of color is it is how light that has bounced off and been bent by the materials in space, interacts with our eyes and brains in different ways.

Trying to figure out what relationship colors might have to spaces, or even talking about the different aspects of color is a pretty complicated process.

Color is as much psychological as it is physical, with colors having the ability to adopt different meanings, depending on a variety of factors. These factors include the period, the place, and the person experiencing the color.

Let’s take a few moments to think deeply about how this incredible phenomenon fits into the grand scheme of architecture.

Color in the Past

There have been many ways that color has been used in the past. It has been used to preserve the purity of space and to elicit emotion in the observer as by architect Luis Barragan. It has been used to demonstrate how different spaces can be achromatic and beautiful at the same time by Siza Vieira and has been used to communicate the essence of various cultures, like the Mexican culture of Legorreta.

Color and the Perception of Space

Color can also be used to bring emphasis to some detail of construction or volume. It can be used to recreate certain features of space and bring about both visual and emotional effects.
Think of an environment with just a floor, walls, and a ceiling. If the ceiling is a darker shade than the rest of the space, then it will appear to be lower than it really is. If the central wall is shaded darker, then it will appear to be closer. If the walls on either side are darker than the rest of the room, the space will seem longer.

If we only paint the walls on either side and leave the rest neutral, the space will seem narrower. If we paint the ceiling and the central wall the same hue of color, the environment will look more substantial.

The Meanings of different Colors

Different colors also generally mean different things. Here are some examples:

•    Violet – Softness, calmness, well-being
•    Orange – Enthusiasm, euphoria, creativity, and intensity. It is often used in studios, offices, and schools to promote creativity.
•    Green – Well-being, serenity, tranquility, and calmness. It is commonly used in hospitals.
•    Red – Impulse, excitement, and energy. It is regularly used in fast food restaurants and other commercial spaces where consumer impulsivity is desirable.
•    Yellow – Brightness, joy, curiosity, and optimism. It is also regularly used in commercial spaces.
•    Blue – Security, confidence, and positivity. It is often used in offices and banking spaces.

Color will always remain a crucial part of our design and architectural environment. It isn’t just about aesthetics; it is also an essential part of our psycho-sensory experience of the spaces we live in.

Where has color impacted your perception of space?

Color and the perception of color are responsible for a variety of psychological stimuli and affect how we experience the spaces around us. The fact is, color is everywhere. It is one of the few constants of our world. And yet you might have wondered just what its role in architecture is.

For starters, color is one of the constructive elements that go into design. But it’s more than just a minor component. It also has a profound effect on our experience and perception of a space.

A simple explanation of color is it is how light that has bounced off and been bent by the materials in a space interacts with our eyes and brains in different ways.

Trying to figure out what relationship colors might have to spaces, or even talking about the different aspects of color is a pretty complicated process.

Color is as much psychological as it is physical, with colors having the ability to adopt different meanings, depending on a variety of factors. These factors include the period, the place, and the person experiencing the color.

Let’s take a few moments to think deeply about how this incredible phenomenon fits into the grand scheme of architecture.

Color in the Past

There have been many ways that color has been used in the past. It has been used to preserve the purity of space and to elicit emotion in the observer as by architect Luis Barragan. It has been used to demonstrate how different spaces can be achromatic and beautiful at the same time by Siza Vieira and has been used to communicate the essence of various cultures, like the Mexican culture of Legorreta.

Color and the Perception of Space

Color can also be used to bring emphasis to some detail of construction or volume. It can be used to recreate certain features of space and bring about both visual and emotional effects.

Think of an environment with just a floor, walls, and a ceiling. If the ceiling is a darker shade than the rest of the space, then it will appear to be lower than it really is. If the central wall is shaded darker, then it will appear to be closer. If the walls on either side of a room are darker than the rest, the space will seem longer.

If we only paint the walls on either side and leave the rest neutral, the space will seem narrower. If we paint the ceiling and the central wall the same hue of color, the environment will appear larger.

The Meanings of different Colors

Different colors also generally mean different things. Here are some examples:

•    Violet – Softness, calmness, well-being
•    Orange – Enthusiasm, euphoria, creativity, and intensity. It is often used in studios, offices, and schools to promote creativity.
•    Green – Well-being, serenity, tranquility, and calmness. It is commonly used in hospitals.
•    Red – Impulse, excitement, and energy. It is regularly used in fast food restaurants and other commercial spaces where consumer impulsivity is desirable.
•    Yellow – Brightness, joy, curiosity, and optimism. It is also regularly used in commercial spaces.
•    Blue – Security, confidence, and positivity. It is often used in offices and banking spaces.

Color will always remain a crucial part of our design and architectural environment. It isn’t just about aesthetics; it is also an important part of our psycho-sensory experience of the spaces we live in.