FLOORING
COLOUR: THE WORLD’S GREATEST COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Dr Axel Buether, one of the world’s leading colour experts and pioneer of modern evidence-based colour psychology, has worked in collaboration with Bona to develop a new colour collection. Here, he tells Tomorrow’s FM how colour plays a vital role in our health and wellbeing.
The mental health and wellbeing of the workforce is a key focus, and progress in this area continues to grow as our understanding increases, and as forward-thinking organisations prioritise steps to support happier, healthier and more productive teams.
The effective design, colour and layout of a building environment can bring a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing, and it very much falls under the FM remit. Facilities management professionals are pivotal in creating a safe, comfortable and engaging space for people to work.
“Colour is not mere decoration; it is a sensory medium that connects us to the world.”
I have studied, taught and researched the effects of colours on human experience, behaviour and feelings for more than 25 years and they have great influence on our lives in many ways. I would say that colours are the greatest communication system in the world and they play an important role in our health and wellbeing.
The world of flooring colours The research that I undertake is trying to establish a connection between designing spaces and how people feel within these spaces, and my white paper, ‘Colour as a design tool: The design of the effects of light and surface colours in relation to the experience and behaviour of people in the built space,’ highlights the impact of colour on staff.
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The report is of particular relevance to facilities management professionals as it identifies the effects of colour choice in the workplace, with revealing findings:
Enhances wellbeing and quality of life
A thoughtful colour concept that considers daylight conditions, structural context, and usability criteria, has shown to improve workplace identification by more than 50% and reduce sick leave by around 30%.
These are compelling statistics which given the challenges of increased sick leave that are common in some sectors, show the difference that colour can make.
Increases trust and confidence
Building strong relations with employees creates a better working environment for staff and increases trust and confidence. In turn this can reduce stress and anxiety and even increase productivity.
Colours can be used to help foster trust and confidence. Earth tone colours are especially useful in projecting seriousness and credibility and create a professional yet comforting atmosphere.
Improves employee focus and experience
Performance at work and concentration can be significantly improved by spaces that are functional, have soft colours, comfortable temperatures and mimic daylight. This helps establish a more focused environment for employees.
Stats also identified that the rating of the working environment among staff improved by almost 40%.
It is these benefits that the facilities management sector can harness to great effect - the colour of the surfaces throughout a building must be taken into account just as much as the colour of the walls.
Colour is not mere decoration; it is a sensory medium that connects us to the world. Our perception of color shapes how we exist in the world, influencing our interactions with people, objects, and spaces.
Colors have this power because we associate them with meanings that are 99% unconscious in the moment of experience. Additionally, colours trigger psychological and physical reactions in our bodies, profoundly shaping our
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