By the year 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities. In anticipation of this, Amsterdam-based AkzoNobel, a chemical company that specializes in decorative paint and coatings, recently announced its Human Cities initiative as a way to highlight their commitment in “improving, energizing and regenerating urban communities across the world.”
One project part of the initiative is a partnership with leading architecture firm OMA, founded by Rem Koolhaas, to research the link between color and economic development of a city. The announcement was made at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
“We believe that our new research partnership with OMA will make a significant contribution to creating more ‘human’ urban environments for the world’s citizens,” says AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner. “We’re delighted to be partnering with Rem Koolhaas and OMA on this study.”
Archdaily reports that this is not the first time research has been done on the effects of color in economics. Back in 2001, research done in Brazilian favelas by Brazilian firm Jorge Mario Jáuregui Architects and published by Harvard University Press found that “Colors had been absent due to poverty, people work on the inside, but cannot afford to work on the outside. And when a new, planned building rises in the slum – be it a public toilet or a sewing co-operative – it immediately becomes a monument. It was conceived by an architect, it indicates things are changing: People understand they now have the right to what was only available in the so-called ‘formal city.’”
Related Stories
| Jul 20, 2012
Higher education market holding steady
But Giants 300 University AEC Firms aren’t expecting a flood of new work.
| Jul 20, 2012
3 important trends in hospital design that Healthcare Giants are watching closely
BD+C’s Giants 300 reveals top AEC firms in the healthcare sector.
| Jul 20, 2012
Global boom for hotels; for retail, not so much
The Giants 300 Top 10 Firms in the Hospitality and Retail sectors.
| Jul 20, 2012
Gensler, Stantec, Turner lead ‘green’ firms
The Top 10 AEC Firms in Green Buildings and LEED Accredited Staff.
| Jul 19, 2012
Renovation resurgence cuts across sectors
Giants 300 reconstruction sector firms ‘pumping fresh blood in tired spaces.’
| Jul 19, 2012
Rental market pushing service, ‘community’
The Top 25 Giants 300 AEC firms in the Multifamily Sector keep four-legged tenants in mind.
| Jul 19, 2012
AEC firms ready to dive into public projects
But the size of the pool keeps shrinking for the Top 25 AEC firms in the Government Sector.
| Jul 19, 2012
BIM finally starting to pay off for AEC firms
In surveying Giants 300 firms about BIM, we went right for the jugular: Is BIM paying off—through cost savings, higher quality, or client satisfaction? Here’s what they told us.
| Jul 19, 2012
Contractors finally ‘moving off the bottom’
C and CM Agent + PM Giants 300 Firms also taking steps to improve project efficiency.