Colour associated thermal impacts: manifestation and contributing factors with reference to red and blue

Abstract

Theory of colour -a long-established tradition of artists -differentiates between the impacts of warm and cool colours respectfully on human beings. The lack of scientific and statistically substantiated knowledge on aforesaid colour associated thermal perception (CTP) deems to hinder its optimum integration in creating responsive built environments. This investigation seeks scientific explanation on manifestation and contributing factors of CTP with reference to a warm colour (red-RTP) and a cool colour (blue-BTP). The hypothesised potentials of CTP to manifest as a psychological response, a biological response, a factor altering core body temperature or as an actual thermal sensation caused via the human skin (due to heat radiation emitted by coloured surfaces) were tested. A crossover experiment was executed with a sample of healthy male undergraduates (n=111) selected via stratified simple random sampling (age 19 -30), under controlled laboratory conditions. Substantiating colour theory, subjects demonstrated a propensity to perceive red as warm/hot (64.2%) and blue as cool/cold (59.3%). As revealed by logistic regression, CTP neither manifests due to a fluctuation in core body temperature nor as an actual thermal sensation. It is a psychological response characterised by common as well as colour-specific factors. Accordingly, thermal impacts of colour could be integrated in indoor environments to psychologically manipulate the perceived thermal environment against the real thermal condition to achieve the desirable thermal milieu. This novel knowledge may provide insights for Architects, interior designers, relevant authorities and organisations to develop strategies incorporating thermal impacts of colour to achieve low-energy design.Colour is an expressive agent according to Rihlama (1999), which can convey ideas, concepts, signs, symbols, meanings and messages associated with the intended

Colour as an agent for low energy design: a field experiment implemented in Sri Lanka

“…As cited in Mahnke (1996), Scheurle (1971) reported that most test subjects perceived a red room to be significantly warmer than a blue counterpart, although temperature settings were the same for both. Hettiarachchi (2014) researched on the logic behind manifestation of colour associated thermal perception with reference to red and blue colours in a controlled laboratory environment (26 o C/ 50% rh /350 lux) testing three hypothetical sub questions; the possibility of thermal perception triggered by colour stimuli to be an actual thermal sensation, a biological response (alteration in core body temperature) or a psychological response. The psychological parameters were statistically significant against the parameters of actual thermal sensation and core body temperature and thus, the study statistically established the fact that thermal perception associated with colour is a psychological response.…”

“…One study by Hettiarachchi (2014) recommended the integration of colour to psychologically manipulate the perceived thermal environment; against actual thermal condition to alter the comfort zone. As a follow-up research, the current investigation attempts to fill the aforementioned research gaps simultaneously by developing the usage of applied colour to psychologically manipulate the perceived thermal condition against the actual thermal condition; as an effective and affordable hybrid method of conserving energy spent on ceiling fans in industrial buildings.…”