Thank God we are finally getting away from that ugly gray concrete color that has permeated architectural thinking over the last four decades. Since the 70’s, it seems like every school has been doing nothing but turning out architects who think uncoated, gray concrete should be the choice for all public buildings. This has given us a glut of structures that all look the same with just a few changed lines.
Finally, more daring designers are using cement paint to put some life back into buildings. For years it seemed like everyone was scared of color. It was as if color had no place in buildings that should be built with the enjoyment of the public in mind. This gave us the stark, institutional looking cities that we live in today. What could be more depressing than driving by building after building that is gray concrete?
Luckily, this is all changing as more independent architects receive commissions for public and commercial buildings. With the freedom that comes for not being tied to the commercial establishment, these new designers are free to add color and textures which haven’t been seen since the Art Deco era of the twenties. Finally, we can get some excitement back into design and start uplifting the spirits of the public instead of depressing them with starkness.
If you are a new designer then find out what other cutting edge people are doing with lines and colors. Bring some happiness into your designs along with excitement. The human eye can distinguish between thousands of shades and hues, use this fact to build character and depth into your work. Of course, you may need to do a selling job to your client, but isn’t the point of design to make a statement? Get the builder on board with your vision and show them how color can be just what is needed to make the edifice stand out from the dull, ugly, gray crowd.