The Application and Function of Colors in Urban Spaces (Case Study of Amirchakhmaq Square, Yazd, Iran)

Urban spaces are places for social life. The façade is one of the physical elements of the urban space that affects the observers at the very first stage. The external expression of the buildings creates the first and perhaps the most important impact where the colors play a significant role in perceiving the urban space. Although nowadays we can see our urban facades as either colorless or chaotic, colors have had significant importance in Iranian architecture. This qualitative research has implemented the case study strategy. The objective is to understand the application and function of colors and their alignment with the urban square's definition and design principles. The language of the urban design principles is adopted from Carmona’s urban design dimensions. In doing so, Mirchakhmagh Square in The Old City of Yaz, Persia (registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage) has been analyzed as a sustainable urban fabric that carries a lot of lessons regarding sustainable development. It is found that the application and function of the colors in the historic part are significantly corresponding to each other, which is a cause of its sustainability. However, in the contemporary part, the lack of this adjustment has made the overall facade less balanced. Moreover, the primary application of colors is in the vertical rhythms and facade openings like shops’ entrances. Furthermore, the major color functions based on Carmona's urban design dimensions are distinguishing, emphasizing, collecting, centralizing, and visually balancing the facades. This signifies that colors are used for reasons in a sustainable approach. Not only does the result serve in understanding the contribution of colors to the quality of urban spaces, but also it helps analyze and design through the lens of sustainability in most cases. Additionally, contemporary architects can make wiser decisions in color usage while designing in Iranian and similar contexts.