Colour Outside the Lines : Putting the Focus on Colour in the Architectural Design Process

Currently, greyscale is accepted as the default colour scheme the discipline of western architecture. The typical design process prioritizes lines and form at the expense of colour, often resulting in hueless buildings. This project puts the focus on colour, by bringing it into the early stages of the design process. This project begins through exploring the history of colour theory and attitudes towards colour. Through case studies, it examines how various architects and designers use colour. The design proportion of this project implements various ways of using colour. The design for an art gallery provides an opportunity to engage with colour through each step of the design process from the initial sketches and design experiments through to the architectural drawings and renders. The colours for the design are selected based on the natural and built environment surrounding the site, creating a connection between the building and its surroundings. This project uses colour as a way to build connections and shape our perception of the world around us.