Colors in Healthcare spaces

Color is a useful design element for way finding, spatial orientation, and space definition in Healthcare spaces. It is linked to psychology, physiology and social reaction of humans. We as architects need to understand the application of colors for making informed decisions.

Impact of color

The impact of colors on an individual may not be strictly measured but they play a psychological and aesthetic role in a passive manner.

• Promoting the healing process by guarding the physiological and psychological well-being of the patient.

• Playing a key role in visual medical diagnosis, surgical performance, and therapeutic and rehabilitation services.

Evidence based observations explain that color needs to be studied in context.For example,

Hospitals replaced the white of operating room walls with light green to minimize the afterimages that were created after hours of surgery.Yellow color schemes may cause difficulties for people who have yellowing lenses and pastel yellows are difficult to distinguish from white.

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The pale tints and earthy tones can be used to balance the neutral colors and blend in the background.Warm tones are often associated with extroverted responses and can be used in moderately in both public and private areas.

Neutral colors play an important role in setting the mood for the entire space.These colors are used for majority of the space. They should not be overpower the space which can be visually disturbing.

Hence it is always safe to use hues that blend in the background.

Cool hues are often associated with a quiet, relaxing, or contemplative atmosphere. Private areas and work spaces that demand an output oriented function can incorporate such palettes along with neutral hues to achieve balance.

Complementary colors break the monotony in continuous hospital corridors.Hues that are closely related to nature improve the quality of the space when used along small surface areas.

They can be helpful in way finding and spacial orientation without necessarily standing out.

Bright colors that are associated with emergency and hazardous spaces are to be used to define a threshold and also alert the individual during panic.

Primary colors are also used for attention and distraction especially in pediatric spaces.

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The color guidelines mentioned above for healthcare settings offer hypotheses suggesting that certain colors may be associated enhancing the purpose of the space and creating a good atmosphere for the users.