Light And Color

Katie Hepting
ARCHST 1600
Abstract #10
Color usage can make or break any space in a work of architecture- that is why it is the most Important factor in design. When color schemes are used, a space can look put together, clean, and sometimes even larger. But when no selectivity is used in choosing colors, a room can be upsetting and unattractive. Typically, colors can be drawn togethersimply by using established color schemes on a color wheel, and can even be used solely by name instead of by how they appear. Color is so important because it gives one great pleasure when viewing it.
The first step to designing a color scheme is to put together the basic colors of the scheme. From there, you can change and fine-tune the exact colors to be used. Color schemes are most commonin the families of natural color, neutral color, and functional color. Natural colors are those of wood, stone, and the outdoors. They can provide an earthy feel and can be very calming. Neutral colors are those that are close to the grey axis on the color scale, and typically do not clash with each other; this makes them pretty safe. Functional color schemes are used to go along with theintended feel of the space. They can make a space feel warm or cool, large or small, inviting or angry.
Although some may argue otherwise, research is inconclusive that there is a certain scheme that works best for a given place. Offices used to use bland colors to keep from distracting the workers, but today have moved to more outgoing colors in small doses to give the office some life. Inschools, drab tones are also used as to not distract the students from learning. But today there are more options of chalkboard tones, and warmer colors have begun to be used to create an environment where activity is encouraged. It is difficult when choosing a restaurant color scheme because many colors can be unpleasant while eating a meal. Restaurants tend to stick to rich warm tones that willfade into the background and can be accented by the shiny silverware and distinct table cloths. Stores have to create color schemes to fit what they are selling, and the quality and price of what they are selling. In hospitals, color choice is tailored to the use of an area of the building, because certain colors can affect the processes of hospitals differently.
To create a color scheme, youhave to gather colors and material samples. It is easiest to first come up with the colors in a flat form, then add in the textures you want. Once the colors are all chosen, you have to create a color chart by laying out the colors in the proportions and order in which they will appear. Another way to make a color scheme is to apply the color to a floor plan as it will appear. Once the schemeis put together, sample boards should be made. After the color scheme is perfected, the materials must be ordered. Some problems with color choice can occur, but by using restraint and logic when choosing colors, many problems can be avoided.
Color can be augmented by the use of light sources. Different colors are seen at different wavelengths of light. The use of colored light can makesome colors appear to be different than what they really are. White lights make everything look brighter, as if it were outside in the sun.
There is only one color wheel created by combinations of the three primary colors, red, yellow, and blue. But there are different systems of color. The most widely used is the Munsell system, which is defined by hue, value, and chroma. This is a goodway to describe and specify any given color. The Munsell color solid is a more visual tool used for choosing color. Different colors can cause different emotions, as well as remind one of certain cultures. This is why so much thought goes into choosing color schemes.
Designers have to be careful when choosing color, because in different cultures colors can mean completely different things....