From pearlescent and iridescent coatings to highly accurate color-matching tools to programmable, color-changing LED lights, color is taking on a bigger and increasingly high-tech role on building projects.
The widespread growth of colorized materials—from metal wall and roof panels to glass and glazing systems, to metal mesh assemblies—and the availability of custom colors across a broad range of product lines have provided architects and designers with almost limitless options for exterior and interior design projects.
Technology tools like 3D modeling software and color-matching apps have taken much of the guesswork out of evaluating colors and color palettes for building design projects. And advances in manufacturing—from new textile printing methods to novel coating formulations—are leading to breakthroughs in hues, patterns, textures, and special effects in colorized materials and finishes.
Given the “color craze” in architecture, it is no surprise that most design professionals believe that color plays a more-critical role in today’s building design projects than those from a decade ago.
Findings from BD+C's 2020 Color Trends Report
Two-thirds of architects, interior designers, and color experts surveyed between December 2019 and March 2020 by Building Design+Construction for the 2020 Color Trends Survey said that color on design projects (interior spaces and exterior design) is more important today than it was a decade ago. And fewer than 2% believe color is less important.
The growth in demand for color in the commercial, institutional, and multifamily building sectors is being driven by several converging trends. For one, clients are more willing to accept risk and variation on their projects, according to survey respondents.
“Especially for interiors, the story told by a color palette is crucial to creating an experience that can be differentiated from the norm,” said one architect respondent.
The rising cost of materials and construction is another important consideration: “Color is one of the easiest ways to add impact for the least amount of cost, thus more important today with the rising costs of everything.”
The final PDF report of BD+C's 2020 Color Trends Survey includes data on:
- Innovations in color and colorized materials
- Specification trends in color and colorized materials
- Source of color expertise and inspiration in design firms
- The importance of color on today's building projects (interior and exterior applications)
- The importance of color in 2020 vs. 2010
- Reasons for the change in the importance of color on building projects
- Use of special effect coatings
- Biggest innovations in color related to interior or exterior building design
Download the 2020 Color Trends Survey report (short registration required)
Special thanks to Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings
for their support of this BD+C editorial research project.
More at coil.sherwin.com.
Related Stories
| May 23, 2013
Supertall 'Sky City' will house 4,400 families in Changsha, China
Broad Sustainable Building has completed a long and arduous approval process, and is starting excavation and construction on Sky City in June, 2013. The proposed "world's tallest building" will be a mixed-use project that could accommodate life and work needs of up to 30,000 people.
| May 23, 2013
Are design-build contracts killing small architecture firms?
Are federal design-build contract laws unfair to small firms? AIA thinks so, citing an interesting fact: an architecture firm spends a median of $260,000 to compete for a design-build project.
| May 23, 2013
Is the 'bring your own device' discussion stumping your IT group?
A new twist to the communication challenge most companies and IT departments face is the “bring your own device,” or BYOD, conundrum. I call it a conundrum because it is stumping many IT professionals.
| May 23, 2013
Portland State University’s School of Architecture launches Center for Public Interest Design
Portland State University’s School of Architecture is proud to announce the launch of its new Center for Public Interest Design, a research center that aims to investigate and utilize the power of design to make social, economic and environmental change in disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Center is the first of its kind in the nation.
| May 22, 2013
Return of retail? Rent growth seen in recovering markets
Like digging a ditch with a spoon, retail demand driven by population growth has eaten away at the supply of available store space in the markets that have been slowest to recover from the downturn. Vacancy rates are reaching a point that will give at least some landlords in every market the clout to demand slightly higher rents.
| May 22, 2013
New ASTM standard enhances hollow structural sections
ASTM A1085 is a big step forward in simplifying HSS design and usage, thereby making it a more desirable option for HSS.
| May 22, 2013
Architecture billings take a step back in April, ending growth streak
For the first time in 10 months, the AIA's Architecture Billings Index slipped into negative territory, falling to 48.6 in April, down from 51.9 the previous month. This is the ABI's lowest mark since July 2012.
| May 21, 2013
Foster + Partners reveals plans for London residential towers
British firm Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for two residential skyscrapers as part of a mixed-use development in north London.
| May 21, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: pools, racquetball courts, bowling alleys, hockey/soccer facilities
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| May 21, 2013
7 tile trends for 2013: Touch-sensitive glazes, metallic tones among top styles
Tile of Spain consultant and ceramic tile expert Ryan Fasan presented his "What's Trending in Tile" roundup at the Coverings 2013 show in Atlanta earlier this month. Here's an overview of Fasan's emerging tile trends for 2013.