Festival of colours & Architecture.

‘Colour can be used strategically to orchestrate spatial sequences or to visualise tectonics, it can support light and shadow and make surfaces an optical and haptic experience and much more. Colour is one of the oldest architectural design elements – colourless architecture does not exist.’

-Steffanie Wettstein

WHY USE COLOURS AT ALL?

With the pandemic residing in our lives for more than a year, it isn’t wrong to state that we are missing the colours of life that we once cherished. Architecturally speaking, it is evident to an amateur that designers are hinged onto neutrals, monochromatic, pastels and analogous colour schemes. We have developed a mirage of bars that restricts us to look beyond these tints and shades. The greys, blacks, nudes, beige and other colours that are overdone and yet esteemed are nonetheless beautiful, but do you know that a few buildings are identified by the colours on their façade? Below are the buildings that have boldly engraved their integrity by using bright colours on their elevation!

HOUSE OF TAN TENG NIAH

Beaming bright in Singapore, the house of Tan Teng Niah was built by a local businessman in 1900. Surrounded by then vernacular styled homes, the locality has now throughout economic growth changed into a concrete jungle. Yet, the house of Tan Teng Niah is standing still and shining bright with the heritage and culture of Singapore amidst the tall scrapers.

THE SAGUARO PALM SPRINGS

Located on the western coast of the US in California, the Saguaro Palm Springs is a perfect desert haven with eye-popping hues. Architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat were purely encouraged for selecting this out-of-the-box shade card for the structure by the desert flowers found in the Coachella valley. The colour scheme of the retreat does not stop with the elevation, but begins there and flows into the rooms and decorative details of the space.

ARoS AARHUS ART MUSEUM

The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum in Denmark reflects colourful rays of light within and out of its circular glass walkway on the terrace of its 3 storied structure. Also known as ‘your rainbow panorama’ was designed by Studio Olafur Eliasoson. The concept behind this walkway was to make the user understand the city of Aarhus through different perspectives and frames thus adding the VIBGYOR of glass. The relation users share with the city and how the museum- ARoS helps to keep the perspective alive. It is a triangle of relations that is curated seamlessly by shaping it circular.

MVRDV WEGO HOTEL

Evolving the characteristic of Shenzhen in China, the Wego hotel designed by MVRDV studio is a rebel against the ‘standard norms’ used to build urban cities. Shenzhen is expected to develop into an urban village that may cause constraints in housing ownership- answering this issue the design can accommodate 7 spaces dedicated to 7 users within a span of just 9 meters. This design is not just a solution to our colour selections but holds the recipe for a futuristic accommodation.

CIVIC CENTER PARKING STRUCTURE

Another vivid structure on the list is from California, US. The Civic Parking Structure covers the parking scope for major public buildings in the area. With an abundant 882 parking spaces, this structure has 2 cellars, 1 stilt and 4 multi-level parking. The fifth floor houses a community meeting room alongside the breathtaking views of the Pacific.

IMI INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Located in the cultural and heritage capital of India, The IMI International Management Institute has been designed by Abin Design Studio. The concept of the façade of this beautiful structure is a paradox of inspirations, nature inspires us and thus to inspire the users of the space the colours of the sky have been painted on the elevation of this building.

SUGAMO SHINKIN BANK TOKYO

On being asked what the brief stated for this vibrant bank, designers of Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design quoted “to invite customers back and make them feel comfortable”.

The design team thus took this as a challenge while keeping the design sophisticated yet vibrant for the bank and its users. The colours seem to repeat in a rhythmic pattern in and out of the structure.

THE SPANISH PAVILION

This pavilion designed by Pulgon Diseno subtly resides in the Netherlands adapting to the landscape and its surroundings. Made with vernacular and natural materials, the pavilion thrives on its vivid façade made of wooden rafters coloured in the hues of the landscape around. The structure stands alone without any backdrop of another building, making it more interesting to look at. The real beauty of this building shines through during the evenings when the colours beam with the indoor lights on the black background of the night sky.

THE ELS COLORS KINDERGARTEN

The Els Colors Kindergarten in Spain houses children that enjoy the colours of this unique structure. Designers of RCR Arquiectes believe that the perception of a child is different and lower to that of an adult, to broaden their views and keep them curious and engaged. The colours, glass and the zonal planning of the kindergarten retains the lively atmosphere of the place.