Adam Nathaniel Furman & Kate Mazade Unveil 6 Bold Colorful Buildings in New RIBA Book 'Chromatic Architecture'

In their new book *Chromatic Architecture*, designer Adam Nathaniel Furman and Dezeen contributor Kate Mazade spotlight six groundbreaking examples of vibrant architectural expression, published by RIBA Publishing. From the sun-drenched, polychrome façades of Istanbul’s historic mosques to the neon-lit, futuristic forms of Tokyo’s Kiyosumi-Shirakawa district, the authors celebrate colour not as mere ornament but as a fundamental architectural language. Each selected structure—spanning centuries and continents—demonstrates how hue, texture, and light shape identity, emotion, and cultural meaning in built environments. The book features 34 transformative case studies, including the dazzling mosaic-covered churches of Venice and the bold, painted facades of Mexico City’s Casa de los Siete Mundos. These choices reflect a growing global shift toward viewing architecture through a chromatic lens, challenging minimalist norms and redefining urban aesthetics. By centering underappreciated or overlooked buildings, Furman and Mazade highlight how colour can foster community, resist homogenization, and inspire emotional resonance in public spaces. With climate-conscious design gaining momentum, the intentional use of colour also plays a role in energy efficiency and psychological well-being. As cities worldwide seek more expressive, sustainable futures, this work underscores that architecture’s power lies not just in form, but in feeling. The legacy of *Chromatic Architecture* may well be its invitation to reimagine our surroundings—one vivid hue at a time.