Use of Color Incorporating Human Psychology in the Built Environment

Banu ManavUniversity of Bahçeşehir, Faculty of Architecture

Color studies on……

Psychology Physiology Culture Age Gender Urban-regional

palette

C O L O R

Aim of the study

• to investigate the beliefs of people about color• to discuss why and how they select color for a particular space

Procedure

vivid

boring

cold

warm

exciting

fearful….30 adjectives ….42 color chips

Results

• The emotional response changed from positiveto negative, as a result of the change in value and saturation.• Low value-high saturation levels….negative• Medium and high value-high saturation ..positive

Part 1

ResultsOverall, 60,3% positive responses, 37,7% negative responses, 1% no emotional response, 1% others. 89,7% 74,2%

72,1% 58,3%

57,4% 53,2%

25,7% 41,5%

Part 1

Results Chi-square test results;

dependency between black-gender (p=0,031), dependency between black-age (p=0,029),no dependency between black-education level (p=0,836)

no dependency between gender,age, education level and choice of other

colors in the study

Results Color preference-dwelling responses

Part 2

AREA COLOR EMOTIONAL REACTION

Sleeping Room Pink Warm,romantic,enjoying

Living Room Light blue Calm,peaceful,modern,relaxing

Dining area Light yellow Simple,classic,plain

Childrens’ room

Pink Cheerful,striking

Kitchen Near whiteGreen,blue,yellow

Hygiene,pure

Bathroom Near whiteGreen,blue,yellow

Hygiene,pure

Entrance/stair hall

Light yellow Plain,simple

Results Chi-square test results; dependency between green and its use

at dwelling (p=0,043)

no dependency between other colors and their use at dwelling

Conclusion A color may have more than one

emotional response Responses to bright-vivid colors are

positive Pink attained the highest number of

positive emotions. Green elicited the highest number of

responses,dependency between green and choice of it at dwelling,dependency between black-gender, dependency between black-age.

Conclusion

Applying color harmonies and combinations in interiors by using appropriate color pallettes is essential.

Cross-cultural studies to see variations in color preferences for interiors, to broaden practitioners point of view to the concept of color.