Colour Associated Thermal Perception (CTP): Evidence From An Experimental Research Design Implemented In Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Colours have been hypothetically recognized to alter perceived temperature. and thus differentiated as warm colours and cool colours, even though not satisfactorily supported via scientific inquiry. Given that this association could be generalized, the current investigation proposes its integration to create the optimal perceived thermal milieu demanded by human activities in built environment eventually working as a potential hybrid approach for energy conservation. In order to comprehend the logic behind warm-cool dichotomy of colour perception and to provide scientific explanation on its nature, emergence and significant factors, an experimental research design was adopted with reference to red and blue associated thermal perception (RTP and BTP). It was affirmed that a warm RTP and a cool BTP can be generalized. Colour blind subjects were found to perceive the same suggesting possibilities of CTP beyond visual perception. Colour associated thermal perception was found to be more of a psychological response. One’s psychological state triggered by colour stimuli, preference to exposed coloured environment and the preconceived, learnt ideologies molded by educational background were found to have a significant impact on both RTP and BTP. Further, BTP was found to have relationship with subject's age, and the surface temperature of blue work station while subjects' favorite colour was significant for RTP. Accordingly, CTP was found to emerge as a subtle, complex combination of several layers; psychological, learnt, external as well as certain un-revealed factors.