Methodological Analysis of Color Research in the Built Environment

Abstract

Color in the built environment is a fundamental environmental variable that directly shapes human psychology, physiology, and spatial perception processes. Based on an original quantitative matrix compiled from 54 empirical articles published between 1990 and 2025, this study analyzes the methodological evolution and structural patterns of research examining color parameters in the built environment over the past thirty-five years. Within the scope of the collected dataset, descriptive frequency and multiple-response cross-tabulation analyses were conducted using SPSS.The findings reveal a significant chronological acceleration in color studies, heavily concentrated on educational and office typologies. Methodologically, a structural transition is documented from traditional full-scale mock-ups toward immersive virtual reality environments, accompanied by a shift from subjective psychological scales to objective neurophysiological measurements such as EEG. Statistical analysis confirms that user-oriented emotional and affective dimensions represent a time-independent, dominant core outcome, whereas spatial perception and direct behavioral variables constitute chronic literature gaps. Finally, a widespread reporting omission regarding international color standardization systems is identified, undermining methodological replicability in environmental design.