INTERIOR SPACES feature
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Warm colours are more arousing than cool colours, red and, to a lesser extent, the other warm hues of orange and yellow, speed up motor reactions and impair the efficiency of work performance.
myths and preconceptions exist about the effects of the colours, says Nancy Kwallek, director of the interior design program at the University of Texas. “Though empirical evidence in this area is limited, the prevailing view is that warm colours are more arousing than cool colours, that red and, to a lesser extent, the other warm hues of orange and yellow, speed up motor reactions and impair the efficiency of work performance. The experimental evidence to support these views is sparse, contradictory, and of limited usefulness in predicting the effect of colour in the interior environment on office workers’ pro ductivity and mood,” says Kwallek. “These findings are questionable; many of the notions about colours making people feel calm or depressed are outdated. Although colour is an integral part of design, very little empirical evidence exists to support some of the popularly held ideas about the effects of colour on task performance, worker productivity, and human psychology,” says Kwallek. According to Kwallek, it’s important to realise that individuals exist within enclosed structures for most of their lives. “Creating office work spaces that are inviting, uplifting and energetic is a worthy design goal. Designers need to understand how spaces affect individuals so they can design spaces that counterbalance the chaos and stress of everyday life and create environments of personal wellbeing,” says Kwallek. Continues on page 72
“Creating office work spaces that are inviting, uplifting and energetic is a worthy design goal. Designers need to understand how spaces affect individuals so they can design spaces that counterbalance the chaos and stress of everyday life and cre ate environments of personal wellbeing,” says Kwallek.
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