Light is made of spectral colour. White light and coloured light therefore comes in many different hues. The constantly changing colour of natural light is part of our existence. From the yellow glow of dawn to the cool white brilliance of midday - from the blue cast of twilight to the spectacular red-orange shift of sunset. Light can both reveal and provide colour. Light liberates the use of colour in architecture through our ability to create coloured light.

It can be used as a signifier, create atmosphere, control image and provide expression. This can be from white light passing through a coloured medium, reflecting from a coloured surface or the use of coloured sources. Form and space may be coloured by light. Even the absence of light can influence our perception form and space through the presence of coloured shadows. Colour gives meaning to what we see.

Click to return to Themes