1. AIC Study Group on Environmental Colour Design
AIC 2013 – 12th Congress of the International Colour Association in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Light and Colour as the Genesis of a Daily Metamorphosis:
NIGHT AND DAY in Urban Landscape Perception
JOÃO PERNÃO CIAUD - Research Centre for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design
Faculty of Architecture, TU Lisbon, Portugal • All photos by Margarida Dias
This paper aims to define parameters for a better knowledge of day/night urban space
perception through colour and light analysis, and to understand how it can promote
continuity or difference, tensions and even complete transfigurations, taking as case study
the city of Lisbon, Portugal.
For this study we have defined various viewing points in the city of Lisbon, always at street
level, considering their importance for the recognition of the city identity. Two photos were
taken for each site, one in the afternoon (5 to 7 p.m.) and one at night (10 to 12 p.m.).
9 July 2013
Tuesday, 3:30-6:00 pm, Barbour Room, The Sage Gateshead
1

5. AIC Study Group on Environmental Colour Design
AIC 2013 – 12th Congress of the International Colour Association in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Light and Colour as the Genesis of a Daily Metamorphosis:
NIGHT AND DAY in Urban Landscape Perception
JOÃO PERNÃO CIAUD - Research Centre for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design
Faculty of Architecture, TU Lisbon, Portugal
We used a free open-source software (GIMP) to apply a filter (Edge Detect) that recognizes
differences in the picture colour areas in order to "draw" a black and white image. Since
differences are the source for our perception, this process could simulate, and clearly
demonstrate the day/night transfiguration in the urban space perception.
9 July 2013
Tuesday, 3:30-6:00 pm, Barbour Room, The Sage Gateshead
5

6. AIC Study Group on Environmental Colour Design
AIC 2013 – 12th Congress of the International Colour Association in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Light and Colour as the Genesis of a Daily Metamorphosis:
NIGHT AND DAY in Urban Landscape Perception
JOÃO PERNÃO CIAUD - Research Centre for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design
Faculty of Architecture, TU Lisbon, Portugal
We have established eight parameters for urban landscape analysis concerning light and
colour perception: Scale • Visual structure and rhythm • Comfort and safety • Identity
and Continuity • Way-Finding • Aesthetics • Adequacy in morphological, typological,
historical and cultural meaning • Exterior/ interior space .
9 July 2013
Tuesday, 3:30-6:00 pm, Barbour Room, The Sage Gateshead
6

7. AIC Study Group on Environmental Colour Design
AIC 2013 – 12th Congress of the International Colour Association in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Light and Colour as the Genesis of a Daily Metamorphosis:
NIGHT AND DAY in Urban Landscape Perception
JOÃO PERNÃO CIAUD - Research Centre for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design
Faculty of Architecture, TU Lisbon, Portugal
The conclusions state the importance of the day/night differences in urban perception,
suggesting the necessity of include this line of research in the strategies of urban planning,
for a better continuity, unity, permanence and significance of the city memory in its
inhabitants and visitors.
9 July 2013
Tuesday, 3:30-6:00 pm, Barbour Room, The Sage Gateshead
7