Output details

Colour Commission: Designs in relation to proposed floor treatment to enhance ‘way finding’ throughout three-storey hospital; Concept design and collaboration with lighting specialists on main entrance/canopy lighting

This applied research was commissioned by Bristol Infracare LIFT Ltd, through Ginkgo Projects (arts commissioning organisation) to provide: 1. Colour proposal for initial research and concept designs and stage; 2. Detailed designs for proposed floor treatment to enhance ‘way finding’ throughout three storey hospital; 3. Concept design and development of exterior facades; 4. Concept design and collaboration with Hoare Lea (lighting specialists) on main entrance/canopy lighting proposal. These themes were concerned with integrating colour into the architectural framework and environment. In addition to aesthetic concerns, each considered way finding, area identity, colour psychology, and colour theory. Research involved initially identifying concerns for development and specifying means to integrate these solutions into the architectural fabric. Colour was proposed to assist with coding a complex building for the broad demographic of visitors and customers, as well as resolving issues the architects had with way finding on the exterior and interior of the building. The universal and democratic language of colour was central to the concept as a means to bypass the conventional use of written language to identify areas. The colour spectrum - from prismatic light being red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet - was s elected to identify areas (wards, out-patients, etc). These are commonly and instantly identifiable colours. A prismatic structure (usually identified as a radiating set of coloured bands) was used in the way finding floor design, radiating from the reception hub/desk throughout the hospital. The design for the exterior facades also referenced light – in this instance, the gradation of panels running along each side and wrapping around the corners implying light and shadow cast on the facade. The lighting project proposed at the entrance used cutting edge technology to project light gradating through the spectrum on a slow cycle, to evoke shifting colour and the potential of colour change embodying time passing.