Those unfamiliar with our profession typically assume that landscape architects focus solely on the landscape itself –– as if what we do is an entirely separate entity from the architecture of a building. While it’s true we aren’t the ones designing the building, the entire exterior experience lies within our realm of expertise, with the building’s facade colors playing a large part in that picture. The way colors play off each other within architecture and the natural environment shapes the experience that someone has when entering a space.

To harness our abilities as holistic designers and provide this service to our clients, we created the Dix.Hite Color Studio. This group of professionals works on building colors and finishes, creating color study documents in the process. These color studies allow us to assemble all the materials, colors, and finishes planned for the exterior of a building. The resulting color study then serves as a set of blueprints for the painters on a project, depicting precisely where and how each color should be applied according to our design intent. The Color Studio also acts as a resource in Dix.Hite for anyone that needs help choosing colors and finishes for different hardscape materials in their projects.

Origins of the Color Studio

We established the Dix.Hite Color Studio more than 20 years ago, recognizing that many architectural designs weren’t being provided with paint colors or material selections upon completion, be they new construction or renovated spaces. Because we consistently use a holistic design approach and strive to create cohesion among an entire site, we knew we had more value to add to our projects by incorporating building colors into the mix.

By bringing this outlook to projects, we’re truly able to create a unified brand for our clients with the creation of a color study. Considering all the parts and pieces that contribute to a completed project — signage, hardscape materials, building colors, logo design, masonry, and furnishings –– the color and texture woven into every single element must contribute to a cohesive vision. Through the Color Studio, we have the opportunity to do exactly that.

Weaving Color into Landscape Architecture

As far as we’re concerned, anything living within the outdoor realm falls under our umbrella. One member of our team says we’re “exterior visionaries,” meaning our creative lens allows us to see someone’s experience at every moment. From walking up to your front door after a long day to relaxing with a book by the pool, we’re looking at every aspect of how a person interacts with the site –– and how we can use a color study to capture that perfect marriage of aesthetics and ambiance.

Similar to how we approach our hardscape and landscape designs, our main focus when creating a color study is to discover more about the context of the site while keeping the goals of the client in mind. We consider historical significance, target demographics, and community aesthetics to gain further knowledge about how this site will contribute to the surrounding environment. We also lean on the interior design package put together for each project –– drawing inspiration from colors and textures that are being used within the building. Utilizing both facets allows us to curate a color palette that uniquely showcases the identity of the site while also capturing the architecture in its best light.

Defining Success When Working with Colors

Looking back on each of our past color studies, we view them as successes. Whether it’s working on a new construction build where we can contribute to the overall vision from the beginning or working on a retrofitted redesign where we’re breathing new life in an existing space, the impact that color has is amazing to see. We think it’s a misconception that color doesn’t play a significant role in projects. (Imagine if everything surrounding us was strictly shades of grey?) Color breathes life into a project, and having the power to influence a project through the utilization of building colors adds yet another layer to our profession –– one we are able to experience firsthand in our Color Studio.

When it comes to our favorite projects, there are two that stand out to us: Universal Sandlake and MAA Uptown Charlotte. The color palette for Universal Sandlake was inspired by its surrounding environment, with our color study borrowing from the earth tones blanketing the site. Shades of green and natural wood paneling provide a subtle earthiness, soothing residents and visitors alike, while pops of bold teal pay a subtle nod to the nearby body of water. The overall palette brings warmth to the modern architecture and seamlessly nestles the project into the surrounding community.

For MAA Uptown Charlotte, we were given the opportunity to renovate an existing building, drawing inspiration from its storied surroundings. The site lives within the historic district of Charlotte, North Carolina, so we wanted to pay respect to the traditional look of the community while including brighter pops of color to accentuate its architectural features. Through our color study, we arrived at a palette of neutral body colors and bolder green accents. This mix created a unique profile that allows the architecture to fit within the context of the city while maintaining the individuality of the project.

Looking to a Colorful Future

While trends often come and go quickly, the current color landscape seems to be leaning toward colors with warmer, earthy tones. And although we cater to current trends, we can incorporate these colors in a way that remains timeless: palettes that truly complement the architecture and speak to the surrounding context. As far as our favorite colors, one of our team members has made it a personal mission to incorporate shades of purple into a color scheme, stating: “I think people shy away from the boldness that it can bring, but when done artfully, I think that it can provide a unique identity to a project. Whether it’s pops of lilac or indigo, there’s a project out there that will someday utilize a shade of purple.”

The color spectrum is wide, and our potential palettes are truly limitless –– meaning there is always a new color story to tell.