Colour in Architecture and Public Space
This week we're talking colour. How is colour used in architecture and public spaces and to what effect? How does a bright yellow or art-worked table tennis table actually add to a space (besides looking great)?
IMAGE CREDIT ABOVE
Location: Howard Park, Gregory Hills NSW
Image Credit: Troy Harradine
We're surrounded by colour in our environments, both natural and synthetic, but we don't often consciously process these colours or notice their effect.
The combinations, hue, placement, and patterns are chosen specifically (most of the time) to create stories, emotions, connection, or simply a well functioning space.
What can colour do?
When we enter a space our perception of it is made up of our sensory input. Our mind takes in these inputs and we respond, creating our overall experience and feeling, stored as memory for later, when we might enter that space again, or one like it. Familiarity forms, typology of place builds. We decide if we'd like to return.
Our visual experience of a space is often the most prominent. This includes our perception of form, colour, light, depth and texture.
Let's zoom in on colour 🔎
Colour combinations and placement play an essential role in the overall emotional experience of a space. Harmonious and tailored colour combinations can elevate feelings of joy and calm. While disharmonious themes and patterns can create feelings of stress, disorientation and low mood. Specific colours can also elicit specific emotions. Yellow can inspire happiness. Blue can encourage calm and creativity. Red can symbolise danger or excitement.The significance of colour in our psyche and day-to-day life makes it an important tool for non-verbal communication via the urban environment. Colour can have a major impact on both interior and exterior spaces.
Beyond aesthetics, colours convey in subtle or more obvious ways, messages about values, function, direction, and identity.
A bold addition of colour can tell us where to go in a public environment or inform us of danger and safety. Contrasting colours can differentiate individual functional areas of a space. A single well-placed colour can create an important sense of depth, playfulness, or calm. Colours can be used to contrast or compliment the surrounding natural environment. Interactions of light and colour in the environment can completely change the feeling of a space at different times of the day. A neglected space can get an immediate upgrade with a splash of colour or artwork on a wall or a placemaking feature like a brightly coloured table tennis table or bench.
Of course, colour is also used to add positive aesthetic value (when done well) but can also negatively effect it when colour choices are...not so great.
But, to what end?
Public spaces are used functionally but another key (and arguably far more important) use is facilitating social connection within communities. These opportunities for interaction can provide important protective factors against poor mental and physical health.
However, the quality of open spaces, rather than the quantity, is what leads to increased social interaction and positive health outcomes.
So, increasing the quality of a space using harmonious colour palettes, unusual pops of geometry and colour or local artwork can greatly improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
Beyond aesthetics, colours convey in subtle or more obvious ways, messages about values, function, direction, and identity.
A bold addition of colour can tell us where to go in a public environment or inform us of danger and safety. Contrasting colours can differentiate individual functional areas of a space. A single well-placed colour can create an important sense of depth, playfulness, or calm. Colours can be used to contrast or compliment the surrounding natural environment. Interactions of light and colour in the environment can completely change the feeling of a space at different times of the day. A neglected space can get an immediate upgrade with a splash of colour or artwork on a wall or a placemaking feature like a brightly coloured table tennis table or bench.
Of course, colour is also used to add positive aesthetic value (when done well) but can also negatively effect it when colour choices are...not so great.
But, to what end?
Public spaces are used functionally but another key (and arguably far more important) use is facilitating social connection within communities. These opportunities for interaction can provide important protective factors against poor mental and physical health.
However, the quality of open spaces, rather than the quantity, is what leads to increased social interaction and positive health outcomes.
So, increasing the quality of a space using harmonious colour palettes, unusual pops of geometry and colour or local artwork can greatly improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
Finally, what colours?
Colour selection can be elusive to the untrained or unpracticed eye. We don't all have the same colour sensibilities (sensitivities) as the greats such as Luis Barragán or Le Corbusier. But we do have their legacies to inspire and inform. Le Corbusier has left us with a colour theory specifically for architectural spaces.
Le Corbusier Colour Theory in Architecture
Le Corbusier's colour theory was developed around three concepts. First and most fundamental, using natural colours to create pleasant atmospheres in a space and build a sense of harmony and connection with the natural environment. These are derived from earthy tones such as brown and ochre.
Next, the use of synthetic pigments are employed to create co
ntrasting effects that arouse emotional responses. These create a heightened sense of drama and dynamism. They create focal points, capture attention, and build energy in a place. Most often they are shades of primary colours (red, blue, yellow) and are bold and vibrant.
Lastly, using transparent synthetic pigments to alter surfaces without affecting the perception of volume or depth. These allow for subtle modifications in texture or tone without changing the overall spatial perception.
Le Corbusier's Colours... and POPP Colours... an uncanny resemblance
We didn't plan this but... our Classic Colour Range for our HERO table is a strikingly similar yet paired back reflection of Le Corbusier's famous colour palette from 1958. Just great taste we guess?
![]()
Le Corbusier's Colour Range 1958:
Colour selection can be elusive to the untrained or unpracticed eye. We don't all have the same colour sensibilities (sensitivities) as the greats such as Luis Barragán or Le Corbusier. But we do have their legacies to inspire and inform. Le Corbusier has left us with a colour theory specifically for architectural spaces.
Le Corbusier Colour Theory in Architecture
Le Corbusier's colour theory was developed around three concepts. First and most fundamental, using natural colours to create pleasant atmospheres in a space and build a sense of harmony and connection with the natural environment. These are derived from earthy tones such as brown and ochre.
Next, the use of synthetic pigments are employed to create co
ntrasting effects that arouse emotional responses. These create a heightened sense of drama and dynamism. They create focal points, capture attention, and build energy in a place. Most often they are shades of primary colours (red, blue, yellow) and are bold and vibrant.
Lastly, using transparent synthetic pigments to alter surfaces without affecting the perception of volume or depth. These allow for subtle modifications in texture or tone without changing the overall spatial perception.
Le Corbusier's Colours... and POPP Colours... an uncanny resemblance
We didn't plan this but... our Classic Colour Range for our HERO table is a strikingly similar yet paired back reflection of Le Corbusier's famous colour palette from 1958. Just great taste we guess?
Le Corbusier's Colour Range 1958: