Color in the Built Environment: Past, Present, and Future
Keeping color in building designs relevant to psychology, culture, and emerging trends.
This course is no longer active
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED-AP
Conclusion
Successfully applying color to the design of the built environment requires the designer to understand the implications of each color as described. These successes are not typically formed around just a single color, but around choosing appropriate color schemes for different applications. Gaining further understandings in the psychology, symbolism, trends, and perceptions of color should be an ongoing continuing education process. The resources below are also available to enhance designs and provide a deeper basis of understanding for specifying and working with color in the built environment.
Resources for Further Information |
A History of Colors - ISBN#0-87773-524-7,
Manlio Brusatin
Shambhala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
A primer for those interested in deeper knowledge of the universe of color. Attention to physics and color theory. |
Color Compendium A - Z, The - ISBN#0-442-31845-6(VNR), Hope and Walch
Van Nostrand Reinhold, 115 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016
Comprehensive color resource, set up in dictionary style…helpful in locating basic information regarding color. |
Colors For Your Every Mood - ISBN#1-892123-00-2, Leatrice Eiseman
Capital Books, Inc., Sterling, Virginia
Exploration of color, psychology, palettes and color nuance as it relates to personality and home. |
Colour - ISBN#0-89535-037-8, Helen Varley
Marshall Editions Limited, 71 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V1PJ
Extremely thoughtful look at color from a variety of perspectives…psychology, marketing, science, etc. |
Primary Sources - ISBN#0-8306-3481-9, Patricia Sloane
Design Press, 11 West 19th Street, New York, New York 10011
Selected writings on color from Aristotle to Albers. |
Secondary Colors, The - ISBN#0-8050-4458-2, Alexander Theroux
Fitzhenry & Whitside Ltd., 195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario L3R 4T8
Three essays on color, one each on orange, green and purple, with text on nuances of each of these colors. |
|
Â
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED-AP is an architect and green building consultant based in New York State focused on sustainable design and practice solutions nationwide. He can be reached at www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch
Â
 |
Glidden Professionalâ„¢ paints is dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of the professional, specifically commercial painting contractors, architects and specifiers, building owners and facility managers. As a recognized leader in no-VOC waterborne paints, our paints and related products are available at over 500 Glidden Professional Paint Centers and authorized dealers. www.gliddenprofessional.com |
|
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in December 2013
