Colour Fluidity: Colour in Architecture with Regard to People, Space and Time

Abstract

Writings on colour in architectural texts often use words such as: tasteful; appropriate; and pleasing: ambiguous words with multiple interpretations. Does the description “tasteful” mean that the majority will like the particular use of a colour in a building? Or, is it limited to “those with good taste”? Texts however, that address the psychology of colour explain that any given person will respond to the use of colour in a building differently, and address the reasons why this is the case. In other words, for any person, the response to a colour scheme is particular to them. Therefore, the use of descriptions such as “tasteful”, “appropriate” and “pleasing” in architectural texts are largely unhelpful. Colour response is influenced by a range of factors and writing on colour needs to address this complexity. This research seeks to analyse that which is able to be controlled: the design of the building to reflect the complexity and intricacies of colour; rather than simply the colours that are chosen to go on the ultimate building. There is a difference. The former looks at architectural opportunities for use of colour. The latter treats colour as an afterthought, the final act of a project. It will therefore be argued in this thesis that architecture needs to respond to the intricacies of colour. The question then becomes, how can aspects of colour be used in consideration of person, space and time to enhance spatial experiences? In many areas of human experience, we observe constant changes in colour and these influence our natural disposition for stimulation through colour: the sky over the course of a day; a tree over different seasons. Some researchers acknowledge the importance of this variation and advocate its manifestation in the built environment, arguing that it is not the colour in isolation that is important but also how colour responds to context and time. What if buildings were designed to facilitate specific and constant change in colour? The approach proposed by this thesis is for colour to become a much more fluid component in architecture. Buildings can be designed with a different attitude toward colour, where it is more temporary and less permanent.