Earthy tones, from those used in traditional vernacular constructions to contemporary interior design trends, are instrumental in crafting inviting, organic, and harmonious environments. These tones encompass a spectrum of shades reminiscent of natural elements such as earth, clay, sand, and stone, fostering a deep connection with nature. They are readily available in various construction materials, paints, and coatings, allowing for captivating texture combinations. In the following section, you'll find inspiring projects that exemplify the potential of these color palettes.
Straight From Nature: Rammed Earth
When incorporating earthy tones into architectural design, the most straightforward approach is to build using actual earth as a construction material. Remarkably, techniques like rammed earth offer more than just aesthetic appeal. They bring additional advantages, including enhanced sustainability and improved thermal comfort.
TANAH Pottery Studio / Blancostudio
La Luciernaga House / uno más uno + Moro Taller de Arquitectura
House in Cunha / Arquipélago Arquitetos
Paints and Other Coverings
You can craft textured and earthy-toned compositions in your surroundings through different techniques. These include whitewashed walls with added aggregates or pigments, the versatility of timber, and using paint colors such as brown, beige, khaki, ochre, terracotta, olive green, and clay gray.
Rubrum Office / Office Istanbul Architects
Quintal House / Miguel Marcelino
Veneno Restaurant / Pragma Estudio + Monteón Arquitectos Asociados
Earth as a Raw Material: Masonry
For those who appreciate the authenticity of materials, masonry offers a versatile option. It can be executed in various patterns and rhythms, resulting in interplays of light and shadow that create distinctive atmospheres for each environment or façade.
Premier Office / Tropical Space
Thai Residence / Coletivo de Arquitetos
CB House / Alventosa Morell Arquitectes
Estudiantes House / BRUTAL Taller de Arquitectura
Natural Materials, Different Textures
As previously observed, incorporating handmade elements into objects and furniture can enhance environments with their distinctive qualities. The same principle applies when these elements are integrated directly into architectural design, creating striking contrasts in textures and spatial compositions.
IF.BE Ice Factory Ballard Estate / Malik Architecture
Komera Leadership Center / BE_Design
House-Studio / inN arquitectura
Pordarom Ecotourism Complex / Mohammadreza Kohzadi
This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Color in Architecture presented by Sto.
Material, texture, sheen, and color are inseparable – the identity of a building becomes clear in an Architect’s choices of how these come together. Considered through the lifecycle of a building from design, occupation and legacy, we understand that achieving the right expression is tantamount to the success of a building. Sto’s innovative materials and data driven color system compliment design ambitions with technical knowledge and rigorous testing, to offer possibilities, accuracy, and longevity when Building in Color.
Produced by Sto, the short documentary ‘Building in Colour’ is a cinematic exploration into the role of materials and color in architecture, taking the work of Stirling Prize winning architect Michael Wilford CBE (1938 – 2023) as it's starting point.
Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.
