Color and Form | creator

Investigation on the perceptual effects of color in the space and composition of color and form in architecture:

A public interdisciplinary center for design and art disciplines in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Abstract

This research explores how color can change the way we understand our built environment proposing a compositional method that will function as a translator between color, space and form for a specific application of color in an architecture project. The use of color is an integral part that shapes our perception of the environment and the built world, having effects that are symbolic, associative, synesthetic, and emotional. However, architectural design mostly concerns itself with just form. We understand that form and color are equal tools available to the architect in shaping our perception of the built world. Moreover many architects and designers have a poor understanding and often no conscious use of color and graduate architects are poorly prepared to deal with it. In many schools of architecture color often appears in the final phase of the design process, and the reasoning for color choices is almost never questioned. The wrong use of color may inadvertently cause adverse effects if professionals are not well prepared to deal with it. In this study, the effects of the colors yellow and blue in the perception of the space will be evaluated. We will be able to explore through virtual reality methodologies how color is perceived and can be applied to the program of the project. The results will allow us to develop principles that will be applicable to the architectural design process as a pattern for dialogues between color, space and form. The project would be a proposal for a cultural building in the regional center of Indianapolis - Indiana USA, located in the west downtown area, where many other cultural activities are offered in Indianapolis. It would serve students, professionals and free practitioners from Indiana in the disciplines of design, art and architecture through interdisciplinary programs where different and simultaneous activities in the form of courses, presentations, discussions, conferences, workshops, exhibitions and lectures would be performed. This proposal responds as a solution to the need of having spaces to expose knowledge from different groups through open public programs in Indiana. The project in the city of Indianapolis, would provide opportunities for cultural, professional and social interactions bringing benefits to each group in particular and generating a cross cultural understanding of the practice, revaluing the value of these disciplines in the actual context of Indiana. The study will show how color application affects our perception of the space and will help us improving the understanding of the use of color in architecture.

Mido Mahmoud