The Integration of Color Psychology in the Construction Industry: A Multidisciplinary Review from Architectural, Civil Engineering, and MEP Perspectives

Abstract

The modern construction industry confronts complex challenges that require the built environment to transcend mere structural compliance and actively promote psychological well-being, productivity, and human safety. This study explores the integration of color psychology as a fundamental element in the engineering of the built environment through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing Architecture, Civil Engineering (specifically Occupational Health and Safety/OHS), and Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) engineering. Drawing upon a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines for structured article identification and screening, and conceptual synthesis, the findings indicate that color operates as a crucial neurobiological catalyst. Within architecture, color modulates cognition, emotion, and thermal perception (examining the hue-heat hypothesis and thermal reflectance index). In civil engineering and OHS, standardized color coding elicits heuristic responses for instantaneous hazard mitigation on-site, specifically serving to minimize visual work fatigue. Furthermore, in MEP engineering, color is utilized as an ontological mapping system to navigate critical infrastructure; this is subsequently integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to facilitate spatial conflict resolution. The synergy of these disciplines, further supported by Human-Centric Lighting (HCL), is proposed as a holistic framework for optimizing the building life cycle and ensuring worker safety.