Outline
The teaching and discussion of colour within practice-based disciplines in architecture, art and design has declined across Europe and internationally since the 1970s, although there is evidence of a resurgence of interest in colour in high profile exhibitions, publications and through historical research in pigments and conservation.
A funded research project in 2014 established the potential to build capacity for further research and teaching in colour at ECA by tapping into existing expertise that is presently active and productive, but was previously disconnected and unfocussed.
As a topic, colour is naturally multi-disciplinary. Drawn by the expertise within creative disciplines in ECA and across the wider University, a cluster of postgraduate research students are currently working on a diverse range of topics in history of art, art practice, and in architectural and environmental design.
Consultancy and Knowledge Exchange
Prof. Fiona McLachlan has undertaken collaborative colour design consultancy, working with architects and University Estates on the recent refurbishment of the Old College Law School, Edinburgh College of Art, the Playfair Stair and the Elliot room in Minto House.
As part of a live student project with Artlink, staff and carers at the Royal Edinburgh Mental Health Hospital, fourth year architecture students volunteered to paint an installation in the male dementia ward, which has since been presented at the International Colour Association (AIC) conference in Lisbon and as part of a Neuroscience workshop at Stirling University.
