The Role of Color in Adaptive Building Facades

In the contemporary architecture, responsive and adap�ve building skins have emerged as pivotal elements for advancing sustainability, energy efficiency, and aesthe�c appeal in the built environment. This aspect was incorporated into the ongoing research project examining the ceramic adap�ve envelope and its impact on indoor environmental quality at Sassari University (Italy). In the ini�al stages of this research, I iden�fied a wealth of informa�ve literature and data pertaining to the materials, building systems, design objec�ves, and response system of the adap�ve facade. Nevertheless, it became evident that further analysis was required with respect to the color of the facade components and their requirements, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the state-of-the-art regarding the color of adap�ve facade. The objec�ve of this research is to examine the role of color in the project of contemporary adap�ve facades as a strategic element influencing the quality of architectural and urban design. The literature review evidenced that the color choice of these surfaces is exclusively linked to the design intent. However, we know that the color of architectural surfaces significantly influences both the urban environment and the experiences of those who occupy the space, especially both in regard to urban heat islands (UHIs) and the perceived quality of the urban environment. One need only consider the role of color plans in historic centers to see this.