Color, Environment, and Human Response: An Interdisciplinary Understanding of Color and Its Use As a Beneficial Element in the Design of the Architectural Environment (Interior Design) [Hardcover]

Frank H. Mahnke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0442019351 | ISBN-13: 978-0442019358 | Publication Date: April 1996 | Edition: First

Unlock the hidden power of color with this comprehensive guide to the purposeful use of color in man-made environments, written specifically for architects, interior designers, and color consultants. Includes an exploration of the psychological and physiological effects of color, industry-by-industry guidelines for the use of color, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Color and light in Man-Made Environments Frank H. Mahnke Rudolf H. Mahnke Color and light play key—though generally unrecognized—roles in our lives. Despite the decades of research on the subject, we are often unaware that anxiety, stress, visual disorders, and a host of other problems may actually be caused by a poorly designed environment. The gap between color research and design application has been so wide that the use, for example, of white in interiors reached epidemic proportions from the 1950s to the 1970s—though research has shown white walls to be an optic strain and a psychological hazard. Color is now experiencing a renaissance in design. To guide architects, designers, and others using color, Frank and Rudolf Mahnke—two internationally recognized color consultants—have written a concise reference guide to understanding the importance of this phenomenon in our lives and applying environmental color effectively. The text synthesizes the essential principles of color and light, including their psychophysiological effects, the characteristics of the major hues, vision and light, bioenergetics, and more. The authors also provide much useful and practical advice on using color and light in a variety of facilities:

• schools
• mental hospitals
• offices
• industry
• restaurants
• medical centers

Special attention is given to desktop computer workstations and the needs of VDT operators. In addition, detailed color specification tables are provided, in both Glidden and Munsell notation, as well as color charts showing successful color combinations. Used correctly, color and light can improve productivity at the workplace; increase the safety of industrial facilities; foster greater attention spans in students; create more appetizing food-service establishments; and bolster the spirits of hospital patients. Architects, designers, administrators, planners—anyone interested in creating beneficial, glare-free surroundings—will find all the information they need to promote physical, visual, and psychological well-being with color and light. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

About The Authors Frank and Rudolf Mahnke are partners in the environmental design firm Mahnke & Mahnke, which is based in Geneva and San Diego. The authors, both internationally recognized color consultants, have devoted their careers to the study and application of color and light in the designed environment. They have traveled and lectured extensively to colleges, universities, and professional societies, and they have been widely interviewed on radio and television. Frank Mahnke was appointed President of the International Association of Color Consultants (I.A.C.C) in 1988. The I.A.C.C., which has branches in thirteen countries, has had an educational center in Salzburg, Austria, for over 34 years, that provides comprehensive interdisciplinary training in the field of color. This program was brought to the U.S.A. by Frank Mahnke in 1991, and is being conducted in cooperation with Mr. Mahnke's American information Center for Color and Environment. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold; First edition (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0442019351
• ISBN-13: 978-0442019358
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,861,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book- Very Helpful, April 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Color, Environment, & Human Response (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book. It's very interesting and was the first book of it's kind that I have read. I gives color and light suggestions for different environments such as schools, office spaces, etc. It gives detailed scientific information about why these colors and types of light are good to use in these environments that is easy to understand. I think this book is a must have for all interior designers who care about the effects the environment they design will have on the people that will be in it!

0 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Enough I'm Looking for the Author, July 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Color, Environment, & Human Response (Hardcover)

Help! My cousin in Brazil is trying to contact the author of this book. The letter he sent was returned to him as the address being no good. He had gotten the address out of the back of the book. Does anyone know how to contact the author?