With colour being such a powerful tool in the world of building design, why should it be reserved solely for interior schemes? Used correctly, it can be invaluable for building exteriors, helping to create a clear sense of place and identity.
As well as being nice to look at, colour has been proven to have a very real impact on our moods and emotions, impacting how we interact with and experience our environment. Used correctly, colour can trigger a host of different responses in people, from the calming effects of blues and greens to the more energetic reds and yellows. By understanding the different feelings each colour can inspire, architects and specifiers can ensure that the selected palette complements and enhances the desired mood for a building.
As an example, deep navy blues or more muted greys and neutrals can be an ideal choice for a sophisticated and professional environment, whereas brighter and bolder colours are conducive to creative spaces. For commercial developments, façade colour can play a subtle but important role in helping to shape first impressions and reinforce quality before visitors even cross the threshold.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT
The use of colour is nothing new when it comes to interior design schemes. However, its intelligent use as a design tool has perhaps been underutilised when it comes to a building’s exterior. Indeed, façades offer a unique and exciting opportunity to extend design intent beyond the walls of a building, creating a coherent visual from the outside in.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
For projects where a building’s location is everything, colour can play a big part in tying the two together. Taking colour inspiration from its context (whether that is a natural setting or a busy urban environment) can help the structure to blend into or effortlessly complement its surroundings, creating a more harmonious look.
This can be particularly important for regeneration or mixed-use schemes, helping a new development to feel more rooted in its environment and soften its visual impact.
FUN WITH COLOUR
Ultimately, colour is all about aesthetics. As well as influencing a person’s perception of a space, it can help create a distinctive identity that is reflective of a company’s values, function or branding. Within the setting of today’s built environment, construction projects are becoming larger, more complex and more ambitious. Whether it’s a new university campus, healthcare building, luxury hotel or high-rise residential development, coloured cladding panels can help create the perfect finishing look.
Used correctly, a colourful building facade can present a fun and welcoming entrance, encouraging people to walk through the door and continue their journey. This is especially valuable in the hospitality and leisure sector, where companies and brands are consistently competing for footfall and consumers expect more from their experience.
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Colour can serve a functional purpose too. Just as it can be used to help divide up an interior space into clear zonal areas and help with visitor wayfinding, this same principle can be applied to a building’s exterior. This can be particularly valuable in the case of large healthcare or education campuses, where you may have a variety of buildings all serving different purposes or housing different subjects or departments. For specifiers, this takes colour beyond an aesthetic design decision to a practical tool, one that supports accessibility, navigation and improves the overall user experience.
FUTUREPROOFING FAÇADE DESIGN
When it comes to delivering on durable building exteriors, coloured facade panels can be the ideal solution, providing a durable and weather-resistant surface as well as helping create iconic buildings.
However, it’s important to look for a façade panel solution that delivers on all areas, without compromise. While an extensive colour palette can open the door to unlimited aesthetic design, it’s important that this isn’t achieved at the cost of long-term performance, fire safety, durability or lead times.
That’s why we at Benx developed Cladcolour, a non-combustible façade panel that brings everything together in the one product. As well as offering numerous design option in a wide range of finishes, colours and effects, architects and specifiers can also rest easy knowing that Cladcolour will stand the test of time, satisfy demanding client briefs and meet stringent fire safety regulations. www.benx.co.uk/products/cladcolour-hd-2