Why Dark Buildings Aren't a Good Idea in Scandinavia

Michael Diamant explains why building dark, gloomy buildings in the Nordics isn't a good idea.

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Music: Into the storm, Moments: 88LV6IVXXKILKSLA

[OFilellinas]

The problem is architects who only care about buildings looking good in their portfolio, next to pictures of all their other creations around the world. We need architects who care about whether buildings look good in the context in which they are built.

[userccvv]

The same issue in Canada: it has become trendy to paint brick houses black or dark grey. The fact that it is dark, cold and gloomy for 9 months seems to be irrelevant

[mikamee]

If you want to see depressing architecture please come to Toronto. Gray, and beige are the colors used everywhere.

[Liz-scnp]

Few years back, there was this trend of painting traditional houses all black. This particular interior design Instagram, the house was in LA! I’m just imagining their electricity bill to keep their air conditioning on the whole summer

[hydrangeadragon]

beauty and nature is essential to human thriving and wellbeing

[AlxzAlec]

I just found this channel, and it's perfect for me. I have been going around myself, giving my opinion about these modern buildings, and I also have said that I put way more value into the historical ones, because effort was actually put into them, I am so happy to see a rise in this culture.

[tangomango]

I agree. I hate this movement of super gloomy, boring buildings. I think they can look cool, but I really want some color and life in my city.

[KhanJoltrane]

I couldn't even tell it was a nice day out lol.

[olibeets]

We need to understand this in the UK too! 🌧️🌧️

[AlxzAlec]

Exactly, on winter days, these tall, grey and messy looking buildings are so deppressing to look at, and nothing looks worse than them being misplaced so much, I often see them surrounded by olding historical brick buildings.

[mspaint]

Never thought about how climate effects colours! I'm quite fond of black and grey houses, as where I am in NZ is very temperate, so naturally it compliments white-sand beaches and sunny weather. But it makes sense it would be ill suited in a Nordic climate. Thanks for these shorts that make you think!

[Siegfried]

I would say that once ugly architecture is beaten for good, then the next fight should be against cars, since they too rob us of much beauty.

[Rainy]

Please, more of such content to stop developers!

[lulubell]

Reminds me of newer buildings in Seattle/the PNW as well 😐

[SA-xtgd]

Urban planning graduate here, they never taught me this

[Earth]

Dark brown can be a beautiful color for buildings, if the building was designed beautifully. Think about all the dark grown buildings along the canals of older parts of Amsterdam, or brownstone buildings in New York.

[griffingibson]

I was just thinking the dark colors are practical because it’ll keep the house is warmer in the winter

[alicequayle]

Even putting colour pops on like doors and window frames would help.

[witoldschwenke]

We have similar issues in Denmark. Entire districts of new houses are often souless in Layout architecture and landscaping. Boring choice of trees if any at all, plain grass everywhere, straight roads everywhere. No decoration. No flowers. Houses with no soul. The whole area bland and hostile.

[robertjohns]

darker values absorb heat though... You could have a dark color rather than a black or dark grey, but having something dark is literally suited to a cold climate.