Monochromatic design in a polychrome world. Why our cities have become increasingly gray: A dichotomy between production and reception in architectural color design

Abstract Color is a central component of human experience, yet when we narrow our focus to the practice city planning and architecture, color only plays marginal role in initial phases design process. This paper reviews various approaches using on buildings: for example, evolution regional styles due availability pigments materials, use as form decorative drapery, emphasis building's pure without any additional color. Central analysis dichotomy between reality process actually experiencing its buildings one hand other—a reception production, thus, contradiction an “atmospheric world” perception cognition professional world imaginative design, which spatial atmosphere created by color, material, light often emerges by‐product at end conceptual diagrammatic The proposes different way going about architectural that encompasses holistic thinking right from start.