How colours are inspired by nature

if you ask a creative individual in the architectural and interior design space what inspires them, they will most probably say nature, among other things. Le Corbusier, for one, was strongly influenced by nature in his work and development of colours. In fact, being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress, and increases pleasant feelings.

According to Christopher Hawthorne, Los Angeles Times architecture critic, “The thesis is that Le Corbusier was an architect who put concern with the natural world at the center of his work" and “was profoundly rooted in nature and landscape”.

Colour Atmospheres

The colour keyboards and atmospheres that Le Corbusier created worked as an “instrument” to establish an architectural polychromy in the intended spaces. To each, they are their own in a sense. Colour Keyboards express moods with lighter shades of mural value and are suitable for large walls and chosen colour combinations, whereas colour atmospheres show shades with a pronounced value for mural effects as a background. Each was assigned a name that was designed to give away its true intention within a space as well as the desired architectural polychromy effect.

Le Corbusier’s Colour Atmospheres Inspired By Nature

Scenery

Green has a nostalgic warmth to it. It represents everything that we confide with in nature, whether it be vegetation, forests, and the feeling of summer. Calming and detailed in its own right, Le Corbusier picked a series that represented a number of nuances of green. Specifically, there are three basic colours that evoke a picturesque scenery.

The Scenery atmosphere gives off a beautiful scale of yellow-green graduations which can be linked to spring – “nature's re-birth after winter.” A series of colours that spill over into a space without compromising its natural form.

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The colour keyboard for the Scenery atmosphere unveils an earthy combination that comes together so elegantly in spite of the different shades.

Sand II

The Sand II atmosphere is rich in mineral tones and is reflected as being built in a solid way, referring to the French expression “bâti à chaux et à sable”. Le Corbusier was inspired to soften surfaces through light mural colours that work together with the sand mood.

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The Sand II atmosphere is refreshing in the way that it complements the earthy tones. The mineral colours of this nature harmoniously combine with shades of blue, green, grey, and umber.

Masonry I

The Polychromic effect of Masonry I relies on three nurturing and earthy shades, suitable for larger surfaces. Le Corbusier created attractive combinations that express tasteful harmony and speak to the softer mineral surfaces.

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The colour combinations in this atmosphere couples shades that range from umber and green but also incorporates cerulean blues, cream whites, carmin red, as well as light brick red.

Sky

Le Corbusier drew his inspiration from the notion of space, inspired by the sea. The colours reflect a clear sky that meets the horizon, resonating with our sensibilities.

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The colour combinations were created to represent that space. His colour combinations vary from one colour keyboard to the next. From light blues and greys to rose and red shades.

Space

Atmospheric space. Le Corbusier created an ephemeral quality for this particular colour keyboard. Light blue and green blue shades that correlate with the atmospheric space.

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He proposed mainly shades that spoke to groups of red ochre and brown, as well as umber and grey. Not to mention other combinations that are dynamic, alluring and tender to the eye.

Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier Licensor

Architects and designers can use these colour keyboards as a tool to harmonise architectural spaces with Le Corbusier’s architecture polychromy 63 colour palette.

Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier’s worldwide licensing rights of Le Corbusier’s timeless colour palette – the Architectural Polychromy – have made it possible for international architects and designers to access and create phenomenal colour designs.

Not only does Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier’s aim at providing exceptional means to authentically design rooms and buildings on the basis of the convincing Architectural Polychromy, but also enabling architectural professionals to choose and ideally combine distinguished and harmoniously coloured products from our product partners.