Publisher: The Coalition for Health Environments Research (CHER)
File Size: 1.1MB

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to review the literature on color in healthcare environments in order to separate among common myths and realities in the research and application of color in healthcare design. Utilizing online searches of existing bibliographies and databases in multiple disciplines, we reviewed more than 3000 citations to identify theories, which could have had supportable design implications for the use of color in healthcare design. We sought to determine which issues and concepts in the literature might contribute to the knowledge of architects, interior designers, researchers, healthcare providers, and users of healthcare environments.

Color is a fundamental element of environmental design. It is linked to psychological, physiological, and social reactions of human beings, as well as aesthetic and technical aspects of human-made environments. Choosing a color palette for a specific setting may depend on several factors including geographical location, characteristics of potential users (dominant culture, age, etc.), type of activities that may be performed in this particular environment, the nature and character of the light sources, and the size and shape of the space.

The evidence-based knowledge, however, for making informed decisions regarding color application has been fragmented, sporadic, conflicting, anecdotal, and loosely tested. Many healthcare providers, designers and practitioners in the field have questioned the connections between color and behavior of people, suspected the value of color as a psychotherapeutic aid, and searched for empirical reasoning for the various color guidelines in healthcare settings.