The use of colour in modern architecture has a better ability to reflect greater versatility through design elements such as movement according to the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Spain.According to Juan Serra, lecturer at the UPV's institute for Heritage Restoration, modern architecture is commonly and wrongly associated with the non colour- white."Modern architecture has wrongly been identified with the exclusive use of the colour white but it is not like this: it is just a myth, in recent decades, colour has been reintroduced into architectural design and has turned out to be a useful tool in expressing versatility, which signifies change, lack of permanence and ability to adapt to new requirements," said Serra.The research group analysed the work of dozens of architecture projects from the 20th and 21st century and concluded that there are four concepts that are associated with chromatic versatility and these are transformation, fragmentation, movement and innovation.The example of Jean Nouvel's Agbar Tower in Barcelona is pointed out for its transforming quality through the use of colour. Building materials such as aluminium plates and glass slats alter the chromatic balance of the building depending on the time of day and year. Using sophisticated software and LED technology, light images cover the facade. The Allianz Arena stadium in Munich uses changeable panels in a similar way to show which teams are playing by showing club colours.The second element of fragmentation is described by Serra:"Contemporary colour participates in a double fragmentation process: on the one hand, the outer finish is separate from the building structure and, on the other hand, it emphasises dispersion and collision between the building's elements," said Serra. The third element of movement is used in public spaces such as Times Square, New York and Piccadilly Circus in London where information, entertainment and advertising converge. The fourth element of innovation relates to the use of technology and CAD software as well as pixel images in Architecture.Sera disqualifies the myth that white or monochromatic colours are more glamorous. "It seems that there is a tendency towards the use of white and grey on the front of houses, for example. The public perceives these colours as more glamorous whereas years ago differently coloured houses were in demand as they were linked to the historicistic (sic) fantasy in the collective imagination."
