August, 2019
An integral element of architecture, colors serves as a more functional purpose transcending purely ornamental value. From interiors to exteriors, architects have been using an infinite array of colors to complete and finally showcase their masterpieces.
Each color of the visible spectrum has a unique physical attribute that can be used to our advantage. These traits of color not only define the ambience of the space, but establish and reinforce spatial relations. In the exterior, a color scheme makes it easier to recognize the proportion of the building; whereas in the interior it knits the entire space together.
The attributes of warm and cool colors are often employed to manipulate the perception of space to create a lesser or greater degree of intimacy. Cool and light colors such as blue and green recede from the eye, so they either form a background or make an architectural element appear distant. In interior spaces, we can transform a small room into a more spacious one simply by painting in a cool color. Similarly, a light shade of blue on the ceiling or roof instantly creates an illusion of increased height- a higher room or building.
On the other hand, warm and dark colors such as red and orange advance towards the eye, thus they frequently function as highlights to draw attention to architectural elements both inside and outside the building.
There are infinite possibilities of incorporating colors to strengthen an architectural design. A finishing element of architecture, colors can either accentuate or mask architectural features both in the interior and exteriors. Similarly, in the interiors, colors can not only define the purpose of the room but enhance its functionality. Colors help us to evidently recognize the entire space from its dimensions to scale. This is why a contrasting color scheme surpasses a monochromatic scheme in the eyes of a designer.
Colors serve the same purpose in architecture as a painting on a large canvas. Designers habitually camouflage the structural elements in background colors while highlighting the key design components with bold colors.Although seldom appreciated in architectural marvels, a lot of thought is put into colors. The selection of the right set of hues eventually makes the entire design stand out.