Green Rooftop Art

Santa Maria Catrina Market employs colour and pattern to describe its function. Its roof is made from Spanish mosaic tiles which relate to the markets cultural context, and whose vivid colours represent the food that market vendors sell. The part I find most important about this structure though is the way that the roof enhances the esthetic of the community. The neighbours views are enhanced by the market's rooftop. This example was shown by Vaike during her lecture on colour, by Jae during our studio input, and I am showing it again here! But I think this example is important and I wanted to post it because I see a strong correlation between this fresh, exciting rooftop/art piece, and the potential for green roofs to achieve the same esthetic in a more sustainable way. In our last lecture the speaker's green roofs were so beautiful that they should be incorporated into future market designs, perhaps growing some of the food the market would sell.

Colour Your World!

Vaike's recent lecture on colour has increased my own interest in the psychological effects of colour on humans. Her descripitions of the historical significance of colour, of its ties to individual landscapes, and of our own bodies inherent relationship with colour, have made me aware of the relevance of colour in our environments. I now believe that in architecture colour can and should be as important as form, to shape the intention of a space. Bright energetic colours might increase productivity, while calming colours could be used in environments where stress is a factor, such as hospitals. Check out the Bioscleave Fun House designed to help people live longer, healthier lives. This project employs bright, lively colours to give life to a space and the people who inhabit it.