SET THE RIG Colour psychology is playing an increasing role in building design due to the known effects that inter
Colours can literally change the whole tone of a room or building; therefore, the utmost consideration should be given to their application in large communal spaces such as schools. In educational establishments, it is crucial to maintain a well-balanced atmosphere. Students need to feel calm and contented, whilst remaining focused and stimulated. Such is colour’s dramatic effect on memory, for example, research funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council shows an appropriately-designed classroom can boost learning progress by 16%.
AGES OF COLOUR The selection of wall and floor colouring in schools ought to depend on the age group of the students it is designed for. According to Frank Mahnke, author of Color, Environment & Human Response, early learning children prefer warmer, ‘motivating’ colours such as yellow, orange and red; whilst teenagers react more positively to cooler ‘calming’ shades which improve focus.
Increasingly, schools are applying colours to suit a particular learning environment. Warm colours such as orange and red, for example, which are also thought to inspire creativity,
28 | EDUCATION
make them ideal for arts or craft rooms. Yellow, a colour that inspires energy and excitement, makes ideal decoration for play or leisure spaces, whilst green is thought to enhance knowledge retention.
“Bright colours, whilst helping pre or primary school children thrive, can over-stimulate older students.”
Colours applied to walls and floors can also affect personal comfort levels when the exterior temperature rises. Research confirms that being in a space where cool shades and tones predominate makes us feel cooler than being in a space where warm colors prevail. Therefore, when the heat is on, classrooms decked in green and blue tones will help students remain chilled. This type of colour psychology could also be extremely useful in maintaining the comfort of occupants in schools where large amounts of solar gain and poor air conditioning is an issue.
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