Theory of Architecture 2

Chromatic Energy of
Architectural Design
Arch. Krysta Nicole L. Ledesma, uap,rmp
Instructor
 Topics for discussion

01 Definition and Importance of Color

02 Psychological Effects of Color

03 Color Usage According to Location

 02
Definition and Importance
of Color
 Color
A phenomenon of light and visual perception that may be described in terms of
an individual’s perception of hue, saturation, and lightness for objects, and hue,
saturation, and brightness for light source.
Why is color important in
architectural design?
 02
Psychological Effects
of Color
 Psychological Effects of Color
Blue

Stade Océane by SCAU architects, Le Havre, France

Blue: Transmits the feeling of positivity, confidence, and security.

It is often used in commercial and business spaces, such as banking agencies, offices and companies.
 Psychological Effects of Color
Blue
Effect: retiring, relaxing
Association:
Positive: calm, sober, secure, comfortable,
noble
Negative: frightening, depressing,
melancholy, cold
Character: Blue appears to be transparent,
wet, cool, and relaxing. Opposite to
red, blue will decrease a person’s
blood pressure and pulse rate.
Ceiling: celestial, cool, receding (if light),
heavy and oppressive (if dark)
Walls: cool and distant (if light),
encouraging and space deepening (if
dark)
Floor: inspiring feeling of effortless
movement (if light), substantial (if dark) La Luciole by Moussafir Architects, Alençon, France
 Psychological Effects of Color
Yellow

Tellus Nursery School by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, Stockholm, Sweden

Yellow: Portrays optimism, curiosity, joviality and a bright atmosphere.

It is frequently used in commercial spaces or restaurants to gain the attention of pedestrians.
 Psychological Effects of Color
Yellow
Effect: cheering
Association:
Positive: sunny, cheerful, radiant, vital
Negative: egocentric, glaring
Character: When pure, yellow is the
happiest of all colors. It radiates
warmth, cheerfulness, and
inspiration and signifies
enlightenment, and communication.
Ceiling: light (towards lemon), luminous,
stimulating
Walls: warm (towards orange), exciting to
irritating (highly saturated)
Floor: elevating, diverting
Falcon Headquarters by Rojkind Arquitectos, San Angel, Mexico
 Psychological Effects of Color
Red

Casa das Artes, Future Architecture Thinking

Formosa 1140, LOHA Architects, Los Angeles Miranda do Corvo, Portugal

Red: This color shows energy, excitement, impulse.

Therefore, it is regularly used in commercial spaces, such as stores or fast food outlets,
as it portrays a certain compulsivity and consumer desire.
 Psychological Effects of Color
Red
Young Disabled Modules by José Javier Gallardo, Zaragoza, Spain
Effect: exciting, stimulating
Association:
Positive: passionate, fervid, active, strong,
warm
Negative: intense, aggressive, raging,
fierce, bloody
Character: Red is the most dominant and
dynamic color. The eye actually has to
adjust focus, since the natural focal
point of red lies behind the retina.
Consequently red appears closer
than it is.
Ceiling: intruding, disturbing, heavy
Walls: aggressive, advancing
Floor: conscious, alert
 Psychological Effects of Color
Green

Bilbao Arena and Sports Center by ACXT, Bilbao, Spain

Green: Evokes calm, tranquility, serenity and well-being.

It is regularly used in spaces associated with health and well-being, such as hospitals and relaxation centers.
 Psychological Effects of Color
Green
123 Social Green Housing in Madrid by SOMOS.arquitectos, Madrid
Effect: retiring, relaxing
Association:
Positive: tranquil, refreshing, quiet, natural
Negative: common, tiresome, guilty
Character: Contrary to red, when looking at
green the eye focuses exactly on the
retina, which makes green the most
restful color to the eye. Green can
symbolize nature but also mold and
sickness.
Ceiling: protective, reflection on the skin
can be unattractive
Walls: cool, secure, calm, reliable, passive,
irritating if glaring (electric green)
Floor: natural (if not too saturated), soft,
relaxing, cold (if towards blue)
 Psychological Effects of Color
Orange

The Orange Cube by Jakob+MacFarlane, Lyon, France

Orange: The result of the combination of yellow and red, orange projects an idea of intensity, creativity, euphoria,
and enthusiasm. It is often used in creative environments, such as offices, studios, and schools.
If used together with blue, it conveys the idea of impulsivity and trust, and so is adopted by banking agencies
and offices.
 Psychological Effects of Color
Orange

Effect: exciting, stimulating, cheering

Association:
Positive: jovial, lively, energetic,
extroverted
Negative: intrusive, blustering
Character: Orange is less masculine than
red. It has very few negative
associations. However, it may appear
cheap or without vigor if low in
saturation.
Ceiling: stimulating, attention-seeking
Walls: warm, luminous
Floor: activating, motion-oriented
Casa Blanca by Martín Dulanto | Juan Solano Ojasi
 Psychological Effects of Color
Violet

Woo Nam Jai by IROJE KHM Architects, Seoul, South Korea

Violet: It transmits well-being, calmness, and softness.

 Psychological Effects of Color
Violet

Effect: subduing
Association:
Positive: dignified, exclusive
Negative: lonely, mournful, pompous,
conceited
Character: Purple is a mixture of red and
blue (the two colors that are
psychologically most opposed).
Purple can appear delicate and rich,
or unsettling and degenerate.
Ceiling: disconcerting, subduing
Walls: heavy, overpowering
Floor: fleeting, magical

Chungha Building by MVRDV | Kyungsub Shin

 Psychological Effects of Color
White
Casa del Acantilado by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

Effect: disconcerning
Association:
Positive: clean, crisp, bright
Negative: empty, sterile
Character: There are a lot of psychological
and physiological justifications for not
using white as a dominant color.
Ceiling: empty, no design objections-helps
diffuse light sources and reduce
shadows
Walls: neutral to empty, sterile, without
energy
Floor: touch-inhibiting (not to be walked
upon)
 Psychological Effects of Color
Black

Effect: ominous
Association:
Positive: deep, abstract
Negative: dungeon-like, night, grief, death
Character: Black is associated with
oppressive power, darkness, and the
unknown. In architecture it is often
used to make something appear as
receding, such as the HVAC in a
ceiling.
Ceiling: hollow to oppressive
Walls: ominous, dungeon-like
Floor: odd, abstract

Ridge Road Residence by Studio Four

 03
Color Usage
According to Location
Color Usage According to Location:
Residential
Color Usage According to Location:
Residential
Color Usage According to Location:
Commercial
Color Usage According to Location:
Industrial
 Color Usage According to Location:
Industrial

Reference: American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Symbols
Color Usage According to Location:
Institutional
Color Usage According to Location:
Institutional
Color Usage According to Location:
Educational
Color Usage According to Location:
Educational
 Color
is an integral element in architecture.
It is not only important aesthetically, but it also has a great
psycho-sensory importance.

Use it wisely in your projects!

Thank you!
Does anyone have any questions?

Arch. Krysta Nicole L. Ledesma, uap, rmp

Architecture Department – Faculty
School of Engineering and Architecture
Ateneo de Davao University
knlledesma@addu.edu.ph