Reclaiming Colour in Heritage: Beyond Monument and Lexicon

Queenscliff Hotel. Photo: Dianna Snape

When selecting paint schemes for heritage buildings, architects often face a familiar question: should the colour scheme replicate the original paintwork, should it be a muted palette of neutrals, or can it respond to the heritage of the building in a contemporary way?

The answer is more nuanced than many people assume.

In 1842, landscape architect and architectural theorist Andrew Jackson Downing wrote:

"There is one colour frequently employed by house painters, which we feel bound to protest against most heartily, as entirely unsuitable, and in bad taste, this is white..."

His criticism may surprise modern audiences accustomed to seeing white as synonymous with good taste. However, Downing understood that colour should respond to architecture, landscape and context rather than simply erase them.

From the painted temples of ancient Greece to the colour-rich buildings of the Victorian era, architects have long understood colour as a fundamental element of

architectural expression.

Yet today's preference for greys, charcoals and stark whites can inadvertently obscure the original architectural intent.

As custodians of heritage buildings, we have an opportunity to move beyond default paint selections and engage more thoughtfully with colour. By understanding how colour has historically been used to articulate form, establish hierarchy and express architectural character, we can develop schemes that are both contemporary and respectful of heritage significance.

Importantly, conservation does not require us to freeze buildings at a single moment in time.

Queenscliff Hotel. Photo: Dianna Snape.

As heritage consultants, we are frequently asked whether a building must always be repainted in its exact original colours. Unless it is a highly significant public building, the answer is generally no.

Paint scrape analysis and microscopic examination can identify early colour schemes and provide invaluable information about a building's history. Historic paint charts can reveal colours that were typical of a particular era and help us understand how colour was originally used. This research often provides insights that go beyond colour selection alone, revealing how architects employed colour to define architectural elements, establish visual hierarchy and enhance the composition of a building.

Paint scrape analysis by RBA at Maryborough Railway Station, showing striking blue and orange hues employed in the past.

In many cases, the most appropriate outcome is not a direct reproduction of an early paint scheme but a contemporary interpretation informed by an understanding of the building's architectural character.

A contemporary interpretation can often be both appropriate and authentic, provided it is informed by an understanding of the building's architectural expression. The goal is not simply to reproduce the past but to understand the principles behind it. When colour is selected with sensitivity and knowledge, it can enhance the significance of a heritage place rather than diminish it.

So, if Monument and Lexicon are beginning to look like the easy option, take a moment to look a little deeper. Research the history of your building. Understand its architectural composition. Consider how colour was originally intended to contribute to its character.

And if you're unsure where to start, speak to a heritage professional.

You might discover that the most authentic and rewarding outcome lies not in making the building disappear into shades of grey, but in allowing its architecture to speak once again through colour.