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03.11.2011
The choice of color can save energy
Can color and light in cooperation save energy? This was the question posed by researchers in the OPTIMA project, the goal of which was to reduce the energy used for lighting purposes without impairing the experience. Tikkurila's Swedish subsiadiary Alcro-Beckers AB, together with the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Sweden, participated in the research.
Can color and light in cooperation save energy? This was the question posed by researchers in the OPTIMA project, the goal of which was to reduce the energy used for lighting purposes without impairing the experience. Tikkurila's Swedish subsiadiary Alcro-Beckers AB, together with the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Sweden, participated in the research."We wanted to learn more about the relationship between color and light. This is particularly interesting at the moment when we are phasing out incandescent bulbs and starting to use other light sources," says Yvonne Karlsson from Alcro-Beckers, who took part in the project.
Some sixty research subjects were asked to judge their experience in three different rooms. The researchers observed that the color scheme's importance for the perception of lightness and functionality is much more complex than the obvious, i.e., lighter surfaces give lighter rooms. For instance, a room with strong contrasts between the colors, is experienced as lighter. This applies for both contrasts in lightness – from white to black – and between different colors.
"Clear boundaries between different colored areas give the room a distinct form and counteract the colors running together. Our hypothesis is that this contributes to the experience of good lighting," says Project Manager and Docent Karin Fridell Anter from the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design.
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The project, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency, has been carried out at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Sweden. The project group consisted of researchers from the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design as well as light and color experts from Alcro and Philips. The project is part of the multidisciplinary research project SYN-TES, where a number of universities and companies are cooperating on light and color issues.
The Swedish project report is available at www.alcro.se/press. The English project report will be available on Alcro's website in the near future.
For further information, please contact:
Alcro-Beckers AB
Yvonne Karlsson, Colour Designer
Tel. +46 70 616 6207
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