Color in the Built Environment: Past, Present, and Future

Keeping color in building designs relevant to psychology, culture, and emerging trends.
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Sponsored by Glidden Professional
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED-AP

Emerging Color of the Year

Based on the trends and corresponding popular color palettes, one "Color of the Year" was selected - the single color that best sums up the prevailing mood, attitude and fashion of the time. In keeping with the overall theme of "Appreciation," qualities of freshness and openness are indicated. The selected color of the year anticipated for 2011 is a light, airy, citrus yellow that symbolizes a freer spirit, sense of fun and positive energy. This clear, clean and translucent yellow encapsulates a mood of hope and optimism - a carefree, vitamin packed shot of purity and freedom. It conveys a feeling of fizzy sherbet, new growth, relaxed fun and the goodness and vitality of sunshine. Given these associations and the fact that it is a cheering color it will always create a mood of freshness and welcome.

The emerging color of the year for 2011 is a light airy yellow that reflects the prevailing societal mood of "appreciation."

Photo: Courtesy of Glidden Professional

 

Yellow in color psychology terms is always associated with warmth and sunshine. Light and airy yellows are recognized as being refreshing, cheering and uplifting. They are good at promoting communication and learning, helping to combat fatigue and depression while at the same time engendering feelings of wellbeing and positive thought. A balance of the mind and body is represented by this color - a healthy dose of juicy yellow, feeds and nourishes the body, lifts and energizes the mind.

This emergent shade of yellow can enhance, define and clarify space both inside and out. The slight green edge gives it newness and perfectly reflects our appreciation of nature and man made materials, as it feels both organic and technological. Though very different, it is surprisingly flexible and works with a huge array of related and contrasting shades to create color schemes which are soothing, sparkling or challenging depending on how the tones are coordinated. Ideal combinations are with true cool neutrals, deepest berry violets, crisp blues or airy sorbet pastels. This beautiful color gives us hope and optimism for the future as it is illuminating, cheering, refreshing and uplifting.

Emerging color theme 1: "the beauty of everyday life." What we failed to notice in our prior rush to have more choice is that the most meaningful things are often right under our noses. This theme harnesses the idea of local contentment, of satisfaction with what we already have as opposed to focusing on impossible goals and far away solutions. It encompasses an acceptance of real life, local pride and community respect; giving your energy to what is essential and important; there nothing is trivial or meaningless. This concept is packed with what we hold most dear and truthful - a home base that is simple and informal and rooted in the here and now. The mood is one of mellow and sunny relaxation - simple and slightly imperfect. In a world where everything can be visually pristine, digitally manipulated or graphically enhanced this look represents a return to a universal sense of truth, honesty and harmony. Lumpy, visually imperfect vegetables taste the same - we no longer have a need to indulge in a wasteful quest for perfection. Here the home majors on comfort, on "hominess." It is the place we feel most at ease in and where we can truly be ourselves. Meaning and emotional connection, collective or personal history, a sense of belonging to a group, culture or family are qualities more important than slavishly following fashion.

Emerging color trend #1 reflecting the trend of "the beauty of everyday life" as human, humble, mellow, and honest

Photo: Used under license from Shutterstock.com

 

Based on these trends, this color palette is characterized as human, humble, mellow, and honest. It is reminiscent of all those simple things that we know by heart and which make us happy - blue skies, a vase of country flowers, juicy fruits and vegetables, fragrant herbs, sunny cornfields and washing fluttering in the breeze. Enjoy the moment, make the most of what you already have - live in the here and now and have time to dream and grow.

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in December 2013

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