Color as an urban experiment

The hidden meaning that we perceive from the most colors is based on specific cultural elements, politics, religion, mythology, but it can cross time and cultural boundaries.

Beyond the mechanics of perception and the recognition of the color palette there is the intangible, visceral reaction of people upon the color.

The thermal rehabilitation of the Romanian gray communist blocks of flats has put the local authorities, architects, beneficiaries (mainly residents), but also the city, in front of a problem: how do we handle the façades? The solution has been found, apparently: let's color them! This led to an urban experiment without precedent in the recent years in Romania, regarding the color.

This paper presents examples of chromatic solutions for the blocks of flats, the experience of other cities, of other countries.