The accentuating chroma
Competent office environs always majorly utilise one distinct colour, in amalgamation with other muted or harmonious tints. The selection of this shade is of primary importance, as it relays the crux of the ‘tale of spaces’ to the incoming user and assists the designer to lay the foundation stone for the interior scheme. In one of our recently completed projects entitled Disha; we utilised teal as the marrying colour between all the spaces. Apart from being a ‘cool’ colour as per colour psychology, teal is also known to inculcate a feeling of trust which our client essentially desired his employees and incomers to imbibe. Further, we supplemented the remaining verticals with pristine whites, to act as a milieu to the accentuating pigment.
Ar. Anmol Arora - principal partner of Studio Dot, prefers to elucidate the need for a core colour with his statement, “Selection of this chroma provides the apt base on which an architect and his design team can build the aura of the office, whether it is based on the monolocolor logo of the client or defined out of the nature of the workforce.”
Utilising the basics of colour theory
As architects, the basics of design always have an impact on the final space created. Even while implementing colour strategies in an office arena, attention to the definitive feeling each colour extrudes and its effect on an individual’s mind as stated by colour theory is necessary. “We believe in strong visuals and senses.”, states Ar. Shubhit Khurana - principal partner of Studio Dot. He further reveals, “Colour formulates as one of the most important factors providing effective and considerable visual stimuli. Thus, when designing any office space, we choose to carefully pick out balanced paints that work singularly and in cognition with the mind; being careful about not peaking the stress level yet adding a humane factor in every workstation possible!” To cite an instance in Office 807, one of our initially designed projects, we aimed to introduce a stream of energy and vibrance. Tangerine, being a shade of orange that immediately sends a stimulus synonymous to 'activity' and ‘energy’, was selected and used subtly as a part of a feature wall and protruding structural elements.
Framing the big picture
Equitable distribution of all essential aspects of design is what renders any idea with elegance and timelessness. Thus, as important as it is to fathom the appeal and sensation of each colour, we at Studio Dot believe it is equally imperative to contemplate the big picture. The interrelation of each colour with the texture of the furnishing and the number of lumens required to light up space as per the intensity of the colour: are also important decisions that require thought for the final execution; the lack of which may create spaces that present a cacophony of colours or are not sustainable as per the current needs of the natural environment.
In the project mentioned above, Disha, the light colour scheme was introduced due to a lack of natural lumination in the planning. The whites in this design, aided to reflect the minimal amount of lumen available and create an illusion of a larger space. To achieve apt balance, the furnishing utilised glossy leather in neutral tones. Contrary to this scheme, the colours used to embellish the interiors in yet another office designed by our team: Basant, were mostly clouded greys and muted wooden textures to compensate for the influx of natural light.
Functionality and aesthetics have to go hand-in-hand for any design to be relatable and efficient, as already taught by our forefathers of design. Synonymous to this perception, Studio Dot believes that while the aesthetics of a particular colour may aid to express the client’s personality and desire, in-depth research will assist in utilising colour as more than just a beautifying tool. It will guide to elevate the quality of life and present a more adequate and dynamic space to the built world!
