ABSTRACT
There is general dissatisfaction with the uniformity of cities as so much economic growth is channelled into buildings. At the same time, there is a groundswell of concern about sustainability issues. These tend to focus on climate change and security of energy. However, sustainability also encompasses the aesthetic quality of the built environment. It is the buildings and townscapes of rich diversity of form and colour within the boundaries of harmony which endure. Saturation involves the chromatic strength or purity of a colour. Certain colour combinations at maximum saturation are classed as discordant, most notably red and green. Green has less dominant strength than red but the difference is not enough to establish a clear dominant to subordinate relationship. Climate change is understandably now dominating the design agenda. However, towns may have all the attributes to make them ‘green’, but they will only be truly sustainable if they also display the quality of beauty.
