Colour Narratives: Vapour
Welcome to the first edition of my new forecasting series, "Colour Narratives." I'm excited to share insights and emerging colour concepts with you directly.
Here in the UK, this winter has felt particularly damp and grey. However, I'm grateful that we haven't experienced the extreme temperatures, storms, or wildfires that have affected many other countries in recent months.
Temperature and climate are constant topics of discussion as we experience more extreme weather. The Environment Agency reports that April 2023 to March 2024 saw wet, windy, and stormy weather across the country, with 13 named storms compared to just one in 2022-2023. Flooding is becoming more common in the UK, and water quality is a national concern and political issue.
A new exhibition, "Water is Coming," at the Danish Architecture Center explores the complex relationship between water, people, and nature, showcasing architectural ideas and projects that adapt to and manage the threat of flooding.
Designing adaptive architecture will be essential to our survival. I was particularly intrigued by the immersive design of the Zaishui Art Museum in China, which is partially submerged in a man-made lake and designed to allow water to flow over some parts of the flooring. It's an interesting example of how we can work with the elements and design architecture that harmonizes with nature.
The changing environment is impacting tourism, and travellers are seeking cooler destinations and water-centric getaways. As global temperatures rise, tourists are heading north, and destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Sweden have seen significant increases in international arrivals. According to Reuters in July 2024 Norwegian Air added 10 new routes between northern Norway and European cities.
But our relationship with water isn't all negative. The growing popularity of bath rituals, communal bathing, and winter bathing signals a growing connection to the restorative properties of water. Cold plunge pool therapies have surged in popularity, and new venues like Arc in London’s Canary Wharf are offering social, urbanised contrast therapy experiences.
The shifting climate, the draw to cool destinations, and the popularity of bathing therapies have led me to forecast a light aquatic tone which I've named “Vapour”. This turquoise colour (Coloro 094-81-06) is a tinted pastel with a clean, illusional quality.
“Vapour” should be translated into a range of materials, textures, and finishes which enhance its evaporative quality. It can be applied to milky bio resins, opalescent glass, iridescent powders, silky chiffons and airy animal fibres. Product applications can include beauty ingredients, packaging, glassware, ceramic tiles, knitwear, occasion wear, jewellery and accessories.
Despite its lightness and translucency, “Vapour” is a trans-seasonal pastel that complements both darker winter tones and summer brights. It's a colour I expect to gain popularity in the next 12 to 18 months across a range of product categories.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing a new colour narrative with you in the next few months.
In the meantime you can also check out these related links:
Dubai is set to build the world’s tallest resort with three waterfalls & massive botanical gardens
Ecotrapod: a sustainable innovation in wave dissipation
Vector Architects’ forest spa channels bond-worthy sophistication in China’s mountains
MAD designs Nanhai Art Center to emulate "continuous wave of water”
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If you’d like to know more about colour intelligence, forecasting and analysis head over to our website at colourcompass.co.uk
