Innovations in technology and transport make it easier than ever to take a whole-world view. However, local factors such as climate, culture and history preserve the richness of regional identity. To find out more about colour trends in Spain, we asked Barcelona-based Mercè Berengueras, EMEA Specifications Manager at Axalta, to share her thoughts.   

Location-led

In Spain, some trends for colour are driven by geography and regional traditions, according to Mercè: “In mountainous areas such as the Pyrenees and parts of southern Spain, wood is a traditional building material, especially for homes. This has led to some architects choosing wood-effect finishes or colours reminiscent of wood, for windows as an example.”

In contrast, the trend for blue that was seen in the past in coastal areas has been replaced by white. “This is popular in the Balearic Islands,” Mercè says. “White reflects the light beautifully, which brings a desirable aesthetic quality. However there is also a sustainability factor driving this trend. Architects are looking for high solar reflectance values and, especially in some of the bigger projects, maximising the solar reflection is a motivation for specifying white.”

Cost-driven choices

Another practical driver of colour trends is budget: “Greys and browns remain popular because they are often cost effective. In many projects, these colours will be used widely, so when it comes to the façade, the decision maker (architect, façade consultant, developer) wants to avoid the time and cost implications of a colour change. This is often seen in projects such as hospitals and even residential buildings which have a more conservative aesthetic. This is a newer trend as in the past white would have been considered the standard colour.”

Nature as inspiration

When it comes to very large projects in Spain, the architect is often seeking something special, which results in bolder choices: “Architects often say, ‘I’d like to use a coating that doesn’t look like a coating.’ This search for something notable has driven a demand for metallics and colours that replicate the anodisation process.”

Taking inspiration from nature in the built environment has become more popular in Spain over the past few years, in step with the wider global trend for natural motifs. “The shades in our Iconica collection reflect this desire to replicate materials that emanate from the earth,” says Mercè. “Colours inspired by bronze, quartz and stone – these have all grown in demand. It’s worth mentioning that the corten look, which replicates weathered steel, is still a trend despite pre-dating the recent popularity for shades drawn from nature.”

The future 

Rather than seeing a new colour disrupting the Spanish market, Mercè believes there will be a continued polarisation in colour choice. ”I think we’ll see more whites as well as the greys and browns. I am convinced that grey will be the most in-demand colour in the future.” 

Mercè points out the range of nuanced textures and hues that exist within each colour choice when it comes to powder coatings. “Specifying white could mean, for example, choosing a quartz that is very light and mimics the mineral beauty of stone. With greys you have light and dark shades, mattes and metallics. I think these beautiful tones inspired by the natural world will continue to be in demand.”

To explore the ICONICA range in full, click here