Analogical Colour in Architecture

Ceiling hung accoustic panels

On a recent RIBA Sussex Branch  tour organised by Caroline Stephens, I visited Brighton Aldridge Community Academy designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios; a fabulous building, with a great use of colour by architect Alina White. Alina has introduced groups of analogical colour to differentiate sections of the school - yellow to green, blue to mauve, and turquoise to green.

The shades of colour follow through into the WC areas

In each section the colours have been used to create features of the ceiling hung acoustic panels, the lockers, and WC doors. A clever use of colour for orientation and interest, within the overall design of the building.

Blues to Mauve

I asked Alina how she decided upon those particular groups of colour; she explained that the school's headmistress, was adamant that red should not be used in the new building. The headmistress attributed the over use of red in the old school building to behavioural problems with some pupils; this is not surprising given reds over-stimulating qualities.

It's so refreshing to see a school that doesn't patronise its pupils with use of arbitory primary colours - inspiring!