Color inspiration can be drawn from something as inconsequential as a pebble to something as forceful as a mountain range. A color palette for an architectural project can include many layers ― building materials, floor coverings, furniture, lighting, window treatments, hardware and accessories. But the question remains: Are color decisions made by architects at the onset of a project when choosing these elements?
I’ve asked some fellow architects to tell me about a project where color, or its absence, played a significant role.
Color is always an important part of any design process, but it’s important to be judicious ― sometimes subtly and other times boldly.
Alexander Stoltz, a founding partner of Vaidya Stoltz Architects in Brooklyn, N.Y., says, “Color is always an important part of any design process, but it’s important to be judicious ― sometimes subtly and other times boldly.”
For the house in the Hamptons that he designed for his mother, a successful artist, the art studio ― not surprisingly ― is the heart of the house. To draw attention to it, he applied a bold yellow to the barn door leading to the studio. It’s a simple feature, yet one that stands out, given the door can be seen from any part of the house and even through the partially enclosed stairwell that intersects the two floors. In the rest of the house, which is very light and airy, he used a neutral palette to showcase his mother’s colorful artwork.
Hampton house images taken by and used with the permission of Alexander Stoltz; California Academy of Sciences image taken by and used with the permission of Amy Kim.
Kathleen Lechleiter, owner of k.lechleiter ARCHITECT in Baltimore, Md., is currently working on a project with the city involving facade improvements in three neighborhoods. Lechleiter believes an historical color palette will be the “means to create a cohesive streetscape.” The primary goal of the project is to revitalize these neighborhoods to assist Baltimore’s small businesses and boost its economy. Since the design team was unable to unearth the original colors, they’re planning to study the dates of the structures and facades to determine the design period and then select colors common in that era. It’s a challenging case of discovering historical color “trends.” I’ll be interested to see what the team comes up with.
When the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Calif., was being built, Jon McNeal was the local project architect for the firm doing the work: Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The handful of times I visited, I felt the design intent, paired with the color palette, provided a cohesive and consistent element to the academy’s identity. The spaces are vibrant and dynamic, and the choice of accent color enhances this energy. McNeal says the neutral palette of the exhibition areas was intentional so that the exhibits themselves would provide the color and draw the attention of attendees.
“Color was used on the base building only as a means to assist with way-finding and orientation ― vertical circulation, interior bridges and the light fixtures on the central axis of the building were painted a red-orange color as a means to create some visual life where exhibits were not going to be installed,” he says.
What role does color play in your design process ― is it integral or an afterthought?
Post your reply below.
Amy Kim studied architecture at M.I.T. and has 15 years of experience in various project types, ranging from residential and institutional buildings to neighborhood planning. Her broad design experience also includes graphic design and building code consulting. She has worked in offices in Boston, New York and Baltimore, and currently resides in New York.
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Yes, Color is Integral! My core belief, entirely, that also infuses all that I do. From ‘day one,’ color is a serious consideration for any scale project–it is all too often an afterthought or considered to be strictly a decorative option rather than a way to create a truly supportive environment. Beyond paint, color concerns are for all materials.
Thanks, Amy, for your statement!
-Barbara
love that yellow – what specific color is it?
It is Ralph Lauren IB72 Bicycle Yellow.
The architect mentioned that they sampled at least a hundred yellows before finding the one that worked for them. It is always worth the time to find the right color.
Absolutely integral. When I am first in a space, I often “see” color before I “see” anything else. The color may be restrained because the space demands it, or it may be bold because the space craves it. Color speaks to the emotion(s), that a designer intuits, and with further study of light, flow, and spacial needs, color becomes a significant part of the whole design concept.
Well put! It’s hard not to think about color at the onset of a project and it’s ever evolving throughout the design process. Then you add quality of light, client’s input, and maybe a municipal planning board review, the process gets even more complex. Color can evoke a very emotional response and should not be treated as an afterthought and should be considered for all materials, as Barbara has commented.
Color is key in creating the feel of the space. Inspiration for the color selection may come from nature, and architectural element, a fabric, furniture, a favorite accessory or favorite location, etc. Do give careful consideration to the color you choose.
I like to use a color inspiration after talking with a client and seeing what they have in their home that they love.
Collaboration is always important and also finding the right color for the space. Did you ever have a project where you had to “guide” the client in a different direction?
With my clients, color is usually an integral part of their project being as I work in a Sherwin-Williams store and the color board is the main focus. At times, a client’s project will call for just a hint of color and other times a client will want to make a more dramatic statement. I work with my clients on a project-by-project basis – whatever works for that particular space to have it flow with the rest of whatever they have is what they end up getting (most of the time) =)