Personal Polychromy

This design thesis aims to challenge the western white architectural preference and chromophobia. This has stemmed from centuries of colour being demonised in art and design, while white has been idealised - a bias rooted in historic colour associations, and the misconception that ancient architecture was entirely white. As a result, interiors and architecture today are commonly presented in white and grey, creating uninspiring, repetitive, unemotional and unmeaningful spaces.

This thesis aims to challenge the white architectural preference, through personal colour exploration, informed by modernist concepts, colour psychology and spatial effects, in residential interiors in New Zealand. Colour is vast, subjective and highly personal. Therefore, this design research is based on the author’s personal interpretation and colour relationships, informed by literature discussing colour theory, coloured architecture history, and modernist colour theories and application. Based on analysed key ideas focused on simplicity, colour psychology and function, watercolour explorations are produced. The findings of this thesis serve as a practical example of how individuals can navigate the complexities of colour with personal meaning in a residential context, inspiring creativity.