color, materials + research

Celia Conover is in the unique profession of exterior color consulting, a small niche that seems to balance between interior design and architecture. While numerous color consultants can be found in magazines, books, and, in the last five years, lifestyle television programs, the vast majority lean towards home décor and residential interiors rather than commercial, urban, or multi-family architecture. And even fewer still take on the challenge of designing master palette programs that include exterior color, and materials consulting.  

For many people the perception of a color consultant of any kind is that of an individual poring over a fan of color chips. Period. Though certainly color chips are part of the job, working with color, especially on large-scale projects, requires thorough research to determine how a particular pigment will react under a set of conditions that vary with each project - light absorption, texture, durability and compatibility within a group of accompanying materials. Each one of these factors has to be considered and because of this selecting color is anything but simple. Each building has its own unique architectural statement it needs to make - with its environment, neighbors, and materials.  Celia says as an exterior color consultant one must know a great deal about materials to know what colors will work and what the best materials and finishes are for the solution. Each project has many layers, and a new set of conditions that come with it. Because of this, Conover has gained a vast amount of expertise and knowledge in building materials and the firm is often called upon by the manufacturers of such products to advise on design and improvement – determining what colors will work best within, say, clay or concrete, or what trends make sense in relation to the product being analyzed. The research comes out of their own personal drive to make the solution the best it can be. They are then able to take that product knowledge and apply it to future designs. 

Asked about some of her favorite projects, Celia names the UCSC Engineering 2 Building in Santa Cruz that she worked on with architects Anshen + Allen LA. The building is very large, adjacent to an older Engineering building and placed within a site that included a redwood forest. She says the architecture really pushed the opportunity. “It came together in an exciting manner; the building has presence but is very sensitive to the location.” Part of the challenge was selecting colors and materials that were subtle, yet different, and discovering new techniques to saturate color in a wide variety of materials.

Another highlight has been the DC Ranch Street Market in Scottsdale, Arizona. “It’s hard to explain until you go there what a strong, bold, yet really sensitive persona it takes on in that environment. The integrity of the materials- rusted and painted steel, concrete, wood and stone from the site, all the finishes were very organic. The whole story was pulled together by the architecture - how these buildings could have evolved over time without looking contrived.”  

mmmmm

In regard to the overall process of exterior color and materials consultation, it varies with each project. Celia notes that she is approached at all different points within a project. Too early, there are too many issues that still need to be worked out, too late and the project is often too set in their budget to make upgrades if that is necessary. Right before a building is going into preliminary approval is the best time for a consultant to become involved. Conover is then able to make refining adjustments, and advise if materials can be used to solve some of the project’s concerns. Celia says that over the years they have been exposed to so many options; they are often able to find economicalsolutions that will work with the current scheme. As far as the presentation goes, Conover shies away from offering plan a, b, and c, and instead focuses on one strong solution. Usually starting with what she calls a “hook”, which could be inspiration from a stone or roof tile being used, or experimentation with a new material. We’re really more about the texture and color and appropriateness of specific materials. The rest will spin off and marry into that.  

Lastly, in regard to architecture and color consultation, Celia advises that although olor can go a long way towards improving a piece of architecture, it can’t save it. It has to have good bones. Fortunately, studio Conover has had the opportunity to work with some outstanding architectural firms – Hill Glazier, Rob Wellington Quigley, Anshen +Allen LA, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson just to name a few.

For more information on Celia please visit www.studioconover.com