b'blue skyHuman Varna admits that, initially, she instinctually wanted to createandeconomicevidence.Thisstudyresiststheurgeforthe a cohesive and controlled flow of colour before recognising thatarchitect, as the designer, to be in control of the colours in a this would give little attention to how colour could be used tospace or be seduced by the colours that are on trend. Instead, impact each users expression of identity. Instead, her criticalit allows the users to participate and envisage where and how interest examinationoftheseimpulsesexposedthatcolourselectiontheywillexperiencethebuiltenvironmentthroughcolour, could be a physical manifestation of the medical model, ascribingtapping into their imagination, creativity and autonomy. The a fixed medicalised identity to those living with impairments. research of my thesis asserts that the more control we offer For her investigations, Varna chose to explore what could bepeople over the colour of their surroundings, the more we can achieved through Resenes colour offerings. Resene is a reallydesign architecture that speaks to the unique person rather Varna Berriman challenges the assisted living status quoincredibleNewZealandfamily-ownedbusiness,shesays.than an imposed identity. Colour really is a powerful and often They have such an extensive range of colours, which makes itoverlooked tool to humanise clinical environments. above and right: The private in favour of more colourful and compelling alternatives. so exciting to explore and imagine endless colour arrangements.Today, Varna works at Architecture & Access as a specialistspaces in Varnas project reflect The incorporation of te reo Mori in the naming of certainconsultant for built environments to create safe and accessiblethe personalities, wants and needs of its inhabitants. This suite colours has also been a heartfelt reminder of home in New M any people often take their physical abilities for granted,Herthesislooksathowmarginalisationtowardspeoplewithwhile also having a connection to my family through the work I do.Zealand when using the colour ranges while Ive been workingcommunityfacilities,workplacesandhomesforpeoplewithwas designed for a 40-year-old disabilities.Shecontinuestolookforsurfacesthatcanbewoman who works from home notrealisinghowmanybarriersexistineverydaylifeimpairments presents itself in the built world through the currentWhile studying, I also worked as a support workerprimarily foroverseas in Australia. painted or stained with Resene products to better enhance heras a marketer. In her personal for those who move, see, hear and process thoughtsstandardisedbuildingregulationsofaccessibility.Inturn,Varnapeople with disabilities, but also in retirement homes and in otherChoosing the specific colours for my project was an amazingclients spaces. The ability that Resene Colorwood and Resenespace, the client wanted a differently. Its also a common assumption that differently-ableddeveloped design strategies which diverge from the medicalised andhealthcare facilities. This is where the underlying motivation for myandfunprocess,explainsVarna.ManyoftheconceptualWoodsman have to transform and enhance the colour and texturecalming and serene environment individuals make up but a small fraction of the population. However,overprotective architecture that does little to comfort or inspire.thesis emerged. I plan to continue to specialise in healthcare design,designs in my thesis were based on the colour preferences of myof timber inspired me to embrace the rustic charm and warmthwhich replicates elements of nature she grew up around, statistics show that one in four people in New Zealand and at leastShe hopes that her explorations will empower others to redefine theas this is where my passion is.real-life clients. For example, one colour palette was rooted in aof wood in my latest design projects. A faade, for instance, maywhich led Varna to a green-one in six people in Australia have a long-term impairment.oppressive fixed identification of disability and instead give users theAs a solution to the dullness and sterility that the design ofclients preferred shade of pink, inspired by a favourite jumperhave timber stained with Resene Woodsman Heartwood to bringbased colour palette and stained Impairments are not selective to race, gender, sexual orientation,freedom to define their multifaceted identities on their own terms. manyassistedlivingspacessufferfrom,Varnainvestigatedthethey wore almost every day. I was able to take a photograph ofout the woods unique grain, which could be further enhancedtimber flooring. Since the client is a wheelchair age, ethnicity, region, health or partnership and they do not shareVarnarecentlycompletedhermastersdegreeatVictoriainterplay between colour and space and how the two might alterthe jumper and load it into one of the free online colour selectionthrough accenting with the charcoal black of Resene Bokarauser with multiple sclerosis, the bedroom is also a common religion, political belief or social class, says graduateUniversity of Wellington and the subject of her thesis was inspireduser perceptions of their built environment in a way that celebratestools on Resenes website (www.resene.com/colourmatchonline)Grey. Resene Seaweed, a bitter olive brown, is another one of mydesigned for ease of navigation and provides space architectVarnaBerriman.Despitethis,architecturecontinuesby her connection to the medical industry. I am the first persontheir individuality. Her palettes are a sharp departure from typicaland easily find the closest Resene paint colour to match it. personal favourites. Combined with tan and brown furnishings,for hoisting. Bedroom walls and skirting boards tomarginalisepeoplewithimpairmentsthroughamedicalisedinmyfamilytostepintothefieldofarchitecture,shesays.healthcare architecture and instead investigate how colour interactsThroughthecourseoftheproject,Varnareachedathis would make for a warm and calming living area.in Resene Seaweed, doors and bedroom ceiling stained in Resene Colorwood Pitch Black, office model of segregation and control that highlights the users medicalHowever, most of my family works within the healthcare industrywith the subconscious while also acknowledging that its perceptionnumber of realisations. Often, design choices in the area ofWe cant wait to see the ripples Varna is able to make throughwalls and skirting boards in Resene Lemon Grass, office ceiling in Resene diagnosis before their humanity. in some capacity. It has been really incredible to forge my own wayis subjective and personal. publichealthcareareprimarilysupportedbybothmedicalher important and inspiring work in an area thats ripe for change.White Pointer and timber floor stained in Resene Colorwood Meranti.ResenePink Laceleft: Winner of a Resene Total Colour Rising Staropposite top: While some architectural customisations can be costly,right: When selecting colours for the publicReseneAward, Varnas thesis shows how different coloursVarna investigated colour as a time and cost-effective solution forspaces within her project, Varna says the scaleWhite Pointerand textures can alter the perspective of a spaceResenepersonalisationone which allows architecture to transition withResene of intensity was strongly considered for theReseneby visually heightening, lengthening or wideningMerino the elusive and fluid identities of the users and facilitates choice andSmitten experiential experience of people with autism.Lemon Grassthe room. She says its an essential considerationindependence for expressing oneself through the physical environment.Neutral and calming colours like Resene Merino, for changing spaces to meet the users diverseShe looked at ways colour can alter the perception of space and theResene White Pointer, Resene Pitch BlackReseneneeds and preferences, such as people with autismway the built environment may be regarded as a statement of identity.wood stain and Resene Rock Salt wood stainSeaweedwho want to feel enclosed or creating intimacy ofIn these renders, Varna shows the same space personalised for twowere chosen for the common areas to reduceResenespace for those who rely on mobility chairs. Ondifferent individuals and just how much the paint colour and wood stainvisual stimulation for people who experienceBokara Greythe left, Resene Colorwood Pitch Black was usedchoices affect the user experience of the space. Walls in Resene Allhypersensitivity. Research has shown that to stain the timber walls and ceiling and ReseneReseneBlack (top) and Resene Smitten (bottom) and timber flooring andResene almost 85% of people with ASD see colours withResene Colorwood Colorwood Rock Salt was used on the timberAll Black cabinetry stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt (top). Bright Spark greater intensity than people without autism, dueMerantiflooring. On the right, Resene Bright Spark andto different neural and/or chemical makeups.Resene Colorwood carpeted flooring offer a completely different lookResene ColorwoodResene WoodsmanTherefore, it was important that the intensity ofPitch Blackand experience of the space. Rock Salt Heartwood the colours in the shared spaces was limited. 36 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 37'