Colour for Cities

Colour is intrinsic to the relationship between humans and their surroundings. It has the power to transform the urban environment and with it the future health of our cities and our citizens. 

In our Colour for Cities manifesto, launched in 2019, we challenge architects, developers and local authorities to consider all aspects of colour in the pursuit of a built environment that is more considerate of people and the planet.

Currently, colour seems to be the last consideration in urban development with concessions predominantly being made through ‘colourful’ art interventions, silo-ed greening initiatives or adding superficial ‘pops’ of colour to otherwise bland glass and steel facades. Studio Justine Fox’s philosophy posits a holistic and integrated approach to colour which is rooted in experience and community consultation to create more culturally inclusive and intuitive places for people.

Global homogenisation means that the core of our geographic identity can be lost. Studio Justine Fox understands that different cultures understand colour in different ways through deep rooted traditions and collective perceptions. Ambitious urban placemaking, we think, should begin with an analysis of historic and current data, materials, geography and demographics. In this way we can arrive at a new colour parameter mapping palette which builds an understanding of the emotional connections surrounding place, and overcomes the division and anxiety often caused by dislocation. 

Material colour can be used to mediate density, build-in long term sustainability through building and space performance and create harmonious social balance via culturally inclusive and positively intuitive cities. 

The contactless playground is the first project to emerge from our research, and we continue to partner with architects and placemakers to lobby for holistic thinking to drive urban transformation and increase our sense of belonging and well-being as individuals and as communities.

Studio Justine Fox’s Colour for Cities manifesto is informed by six core principles and forms a new consultancy service; an integrated approach to colour and design for the built environment which adds value for developers, local authorities and communities alike. We work with architects to develop new tools for consultation and a new approach to materials which consider the effects of colour on people and the planet to achieve long-term sustainable places 

If you have a project or placemaking opportunity and would like to explore the ways in which colour can help you achieve successful outcomes that go beyond the brief, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

If you would like to receive the Six Principles of the Colour for Cities manifesto email us at colour@justinefox.com