SYNOPSIS

RESEARCH
PAPER

COLOR AND LIGHT

DESIGN OF INTERIOR
SPACE AS AN
EXPRESSION OF
ARCHITECTURAL
THOUGHTS

CHETNA GODIYAL

4TH YEAR B. ARCH

SEC-B

04018001616
INTRODUCTION
Architecture is the study of spaces and these spaces are modified with colours and artificial lighting.
Colour pre-supposes light and understanding of light and shadow is decisive for our spatial
understanding. The colours are independent of material, forms and construction which provides a
range of expression as an architectural thought. Another way to convey this is by providing proper
lighting both artificial and natural. Lights and colours are illusory. They can recede or project
architectural forms by emphasising, altering and subduing colours and light reflecting on the surface.

Light and colour effects on a space has changed human life affecting all the aspects whether
psychological, visual or emotional. It defines the space and has a major influence on social behaviour
of the user. An individual has his own perceptions and perspectives for various spaces and its
functions, which signifies the colour and lighting that the space acquires. It’s safe to say that colour
and light complement each other. When appropriately implemented they give the space an identity of
its own. Colours and light are considered as factors causing relaxation and/or stress as they bear
strong effect due to endurance. Hence, one shall provide a relax and happy environment through
suitable interiors using natural lights and colours.

“Colour as an enhancer and modifier of space and form, colour as symbol, colour as generator of
mood: it is time to struggle to understand the wonderful complexities of colours.” (Davey,1998)

Colours and lights are far more than decoration. They interpret and reflect the user’s personality and
shapes the mood. It can both support architectural form and work subversively against it. Colours and
lights define and accentuates surface and volumes within composition, reinforces or blurs spatial
boundaries, optimizes spaces and have consequences on how people feel both physically and
psychologically.

In this study we will talk about the interactive components of architecture that is light and colours and
how they can be incorporated in our daily lives.

AIM
1. To study the need for appropriate colours and lighting used to design a space acquired by
human and how they impact psychology and social behaviour.

2. To study the colour psychology for interior space design and artificial lighting systems which
go hand in hand with the design of the space.

NEED TO STUDY
An architect should take the psychological requirements under consideration while designing for the
user, besides the functional requirement. The identity of a space is strongly reflected by the interior
design, colour formation and how they respond together in the presence of proper lighting. A lot of
designers lack the information about the rules of colour formations and their effect in volume of the
activities in a certain space. The use of lights and colours in architecture is not given much importance
as it is considered a secondary requirement, but for a layman/ user of the space it is the primary factor
that appeals to them. This gives the architect an opportunity to reflect the nature and identity of the
user by breaking their artistic threshold.
OBJECTIVE
• The objective of the study is to design a space with subtle yet appealing combination of
colours and light in an interior space.
• This can be achieved by following the colour strategies, colour theory and colour psychology
and how they enhance the activities inside the space.
• Also, this includes the study of artificial lighting and it’s need in terms of interior design of a
space.
• Another major factor of interior space design is furniture and how they blend in the space.

SCOPE OF STUDY
The research will cover residential and office/commercial spaces on the basis of following criteria:
• Colours of the space
• Artificial lighting
• Shadows and reflection of lights on colours
• Furniture
• Effect of various colour and lights on human mind and psychology
• Differentiating between spaces with respect to colours and lights

LIMITATIONS
• The subjectivity of the parameters such as psychological, emotional, social and visual are
differ for every individual
• The basic areas of study are

1. Residential interior
2. Office or commercial interiors
3. Artificial lighting for interior spaces
4. Colour design of interior spaces

• It also deals with how furniture of a space compliments and blends with the colour and
lighting in the area.
• The research will deal with effects and use of colours and lights and how one perceives it.

HYPOTHESIS

Colour and light both are integral part of interior design as they define the thought of an architect and
the user creating a suitable environment to live in.
CONTEXT STUDY
1. Interior architectural spaces
• What is interior architectural space?
• Elements of interior space
• Character of interior spaces with relation to light and colour
2. Colour
• Colour in context to architectural space
• Colour theory
• Psychological impact of colours
• Colour in interior spaces and its impact
• Colour strategies
3. Light
• Light in context to architectural space
• Artificial lights
• Lights and its impact on interior spaces
4. Relationship between colour and light in interior spaces and how they effect an individual
occupying that space
5. Furniture and other elements of a space and how they
• reflect
• absorb and
• blend with light and colour separately
6. Case studies

 international brand showroom

 housing society residential apartments
 restaurant
7. Bibliography and references