As far back as Greco-Roman times and even earlier, color has played a significant role in shaping the experience and perception of a space or structure. The late, great British architect Michael Wilford was quoted as saying, “The reason for introducing color is actually to bring another dimension. To bring joy, delight, pleasure and to celebrate the fact that there are certain materials that can be colored as distinct from the use of more natural materials.”
And we’ve learned that colors can affect mood. Red conveys passion and can inspire action and enthusiasm. Orange can create soothing, friendly spaces that spark optimism. Yellow is cheerful and can bring out creativity, intelligence, and wisdom. Blue is confident and secure and has been shown to boost productivity.
According to Arch Daily: “When choosing or recommending a finish for a project, a designer must take into account several variables. How will it shape perceptions? How will it last over time? How will it respond to the lighting conditions of its location at different times of day and night? How will its texture and reflectivity impact the surrounding buildings? This is a decision that will have a significant impact on how the building is perceived and will shape its relationship with its surroundings.”
The Importance of Light
Light is probably the most important consideration when choosing a color. Light affects how we perceive color. According to Metal Architecture, “How light or dark a color appears is determined by how much light the color reflects. Light reflectance value (LRV) is the total amount of visible and usable light reflected by a surface in all directions when illuminated by a light source. LRV is measured as a percentage between 0 and 100, with absolute black being 0% and perfect white 100%.”
Light and color play fundamental roles in architecture. They increase the aesthetic value and determine how we experience architecture. Since these two elements are highly correlated, you cannot simply focus on one without looking at the other.
A Company Obsessed with Color
Sto is committed to providing creative freedom for architects and designers. Our focus on color and its value, continuity, and consistency contribute to the goals we share with the design and building community. Whether providing industry-leading delivery of quality color formulas and samples, a Sto Studio rendering, or assisting in decision-making processes, we will always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations.
Choosing colors is one of the most important decisions that a designer can make. Fortunately, Sto offers advanced color solutions to help choose colors that balance aesthetics and performance.
High-Performance Products by Design
Sto’s high-performance architectural coatings not only enhance the beauty of your building but also provide superior protection against the elements. Our architectural coating solutions include products that offer fade resistance, protection against mold and mildew, crack bridging, and even self-cleaning properties. All Sto coatings are vapor permeable and low in VOCs. They are engineered to be used in vertical applications, come in a variety of textures and sheens, and can be tinted in an endless array of colors to suit your design needs.
Our architectural coatings include:
Sto iQ Technology™ – Coatings and finishes inspired by nature that provide superior functionality and durability are designed to keep the facade clean, dry, and bright with less maintenance. StoColor® Dryonic, for example, is an acrylic-based coating with an engineered micro-texture that dries facades quickly after rain, fog, and dew formation. StoColor® Lotusan® is a smooth, vertical, above grade exterior wall coating with Lotus-Effect® technology for concrete, stucco, masonry, and EIFS. The Lotus-Effect technology mimics the self-cleaning capabilities of the lotus leaf.
Specialty Aesthetic Coatings – Coatings that allow for unique, customized aesthetics combined with the performance characteristics associated with Sto coatings and finishes. Sto Specialty Aesthetic Coatings enhance curb appeal and protect the building.
Traditional – Acrylic coatings that preserve the value of buildings through fade resistance and protection against weather, salts, and environmental pollutants.
Elastomeric – Coatings with high elongation that bridge hairline cracks, resist wind-driven rain, offer superior UV resistance, and deter the growth of mold and mildew.
Finishes that Deliver Unlimited Aesthetic Flexibility
Want to push creative boundaries to create one-of-a-kind designs? Sto finishes offer a wide selection of textures and an extensive selection of color options that serve to protect the building in addition to providing outstanding curb appeal. Finishes can be used alone or in combination for a beautiful, customized look.
Traditional
Sto Traditional Finishes feature pure white marble aggregate, and acrylic polymers available in a range of textures. Our traditional finishes provide the basis for StoSignature looks, allowing endless design possibilities with the performance confidence of Sto finishes.
StoSignature is a virtually endless blend of color, texture, profiles, and effects utilizing Sto products that create customizable finished surfaces that can be applied to any Sto wall system. StoSignature makes it easier than ever to create a signature look the world has never seen before.
Specialty Aesthetic Coatings
Specialty Aesthetic Finishes move beyond the look of a traditional, textured finish to deliver new opportunities for creativity to create the aesthetic you want with the cost savings and performance you need. StoColor Metallic, which creates a dynamic metal look, and StoColor Wood Stain can be used as a topcoat over StoCast Wood and StoSignature Wood. StoCreativ® Granite is an acrylic-based interior and exterior wall finish that mimics the look of cut or polished granite. Formulated for durability and low maintenance for new construction or renovation, StoCreativ Granite is a trowel-applied versatile, lightweight finish coating. StoCreativ® Lux combines the texture and depth of natural stone with the added luster of reflective materials at a fraction of the cost of real stone or metal. This lightweight, trowel-applied finish is extremely versatile and can be used in interior and exterior design applications. Available in 6 different looks, this durable finish can be applied even onto very intricate architectural shapes for a modern feel.
StoCast
The StoCast products are flexible, prefabricated resin-cast shapes. They celebrate original textures found in nature while integrating enhanced performance functionality. Sustainable, they are more lightweight and durable than their traditional counterparts, minimizing time and energy in transportation and installation and allowing for greater conservation of natural material resources.
Water-Based, Environmentally Friendly Primers and Sealers
Every building owner and manager wants the exterior colors and finishes to stand up to the elements and retain the original beauty as much as possible.
Primers – Available in sanded and smooth textures, Sto Primers are designed to improve uniform substrates absorption, improve finish coat coverage, and reduce chances of efflorescence.
Sealers – Sto Sealers enhance color and fade-resistance of Sto coatings and finishes in a matte or gloss finish.
Tools that Achieve the Perfect Blend of Artistry and Innovation
As part of our commitment to creative freedom, Sto has developed industry-leading tools to assist in in creating stunning facades that are durable, sustainable and versatile.
The StoColor® System is a unique planning tool for the use of color in architecture:
- Quick and easy to understand thanks to a clear, logical system construction
- Reliable application of design through a harmonic, finely nuanced selection of colors for facade and interior use
- Ergonomic perception-oriented presentation media for all phases of color design.
Other tools available exclusively to our clients include:
Sto Studio
Sto Studio is a unique service geared to assist in your architectural design process. With Sto Studio’s expertise and skillset, we collaborate to create a complete façade concept, including color and material options, for your building. We generate a series of color renderings that will help you determine the most appealing aesthetic option: a valuable insight into your finished construction project.
StoInspire
An innovative tool that helps designers visualize how Sto’s products can be used on a building. Designers can use StoInspire to apply Sto’s colors and aesthetic surfaces to building models.
Sto Aesthetic+Product Selector
Our Aesthetic+Product Selector tool makes it easy to understand the various ways Sto allows you to achieve a desired aesthetic. Selections can be based on the desired aesthetic, the material type or process, or the pattern or texture you want on your project. The results will show options to achieve that look. Choose your preferred option for full detail on achieving the aesthetic.
Stunning Facades that Started and Ended with Sto
Virtually anything is possible with Sto coatings and finishes. Check out our project gallery to see for yourself. Below are a couple of our favorite projects if you want to take a quick peek.
Kaleideum Children’s Museum
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Building Type: Entertainment & Cultural
Construction Type: New
US Space Rocket Center
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Building Type: Entertainment & Cultural
Construction Type: New
Ten35 Seaside Condos
Location: Siesta Key Beach, Florida
Building Type: Multi-Family
Construction Type: New
Hyatt House NYC
Location: New York, New York
Building Type: Hospitality
Construction Type: New
Elevate Your Design with Sto
Explore Sto’s color systems to achieve durable and visually stunning results on your next project.
