In a 12,000-square-foot warehouse in Zeeland, Michigan, hundreds of chairs, sofas, and loveseats rest on open storage racks. Their bold colors and elegant forms stand in striking contrast to the industrial setting. A plush recliner, seemingly made for sinking into, sits beside a mesh desk chair like those found in generic office cubicles. Nearby, a rare prototype of the Knoll Womb® Chair, gifted by Eero Saarinen to his mother, blooms open like a flower–inviting someone to sit. There’s also mahogany furniture designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, originally unveiled at the 1933 World’s Fair; early office pieces by Florence Knoll; and a sculptural paper lamp by Isamu Noguchi. This is the newly unveiled MillerKnoll Archive, a space that honors the distinct legacies of its formerly rival brands. In collaboration with New York–based design firm Standard Issue, MillerKnoll has created a permanent display of its most iconic designs at the company’s Michigan Design Yard headquarters. In the early 1920s, Dutch-born businessman Herman Miller became the majority stakeholder in a Zeeland, Michigan, company where his son-in-law served as president. Following the acquisition, Star Furniture Co. was renamed the Herman Miller Furniture Company. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic in Stuttgart, Germany, Walter Knoll joined his family’s furniture business and formed close ties with modernist pioneers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, immersing himself in the Bauhaus movement as Germany edged toward war.  Just before the outbreak of World War II, Walter Knoll relocated to the United States and established his own furniture company in New York City. Around the same time, Michigan native Florence Schust was studying at the Cranbrook Academy of Art under Eliel Saarinen. There, she met Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames. Schust, who later married Walter Knoll, and Saarinen would go on to become key designers for the company, while Eames would play a similarly pivotal role at Herman Miller—setting both firms on parallel paths in the world of modern design. The facility was designed in collaboration with New York-based design firm Standard Issue. The archive, located in MillerKnoll’s Design Yard Headquarters, is 12,000 square feet and holds over one million objects. (Nicholas Calcott/Courtesy MillerKnoll) Formerly seen as competitors, Herman Miller acquired Knoll four years ago in a $1.8 billion merger that formed MillerKnoll. The deal united two of the most influential names in American furniture, merging their storied design legacies and the iconic pieces that helped define modern design. Now, MillerKnoll is honoring the distinct histories of each brand through this new archive. The archive is a permanent home for the brands’ archival collections and also exhibits the evolution of modern design. The facility is organized into three distinct areas: an exhibition space, open storage, and a reading room.  The facility’s first exhibition, Manufacturing Modern, explores the intertwined histories of Knoll and Herman Miller. It showcases designs from the individuals who helped shape each company. The open storage area displays over 300 pieces of modern furniture, featuring both original works from Knoll and Herman Miller as well as contemporary designs. In addition to viewing the furniture pieces, visitors can kick back in the reading room, which offers access to a collection of archival materials, including correspondence, photography, drawings, and textiles. The facility is organized into three distinct areas: an exhibition space, open storage, and a reading room and will be open for tours in partnership with the Cranbrook Art Academy this summer. (Nicholas Calcott/Courtesy MillerKnoll) “The debut of the MillerKnoll Archives invites our communities to experience design history – and imagine its future– in one dynamic space,” said MillerKnoll’s chief creative and product officer Ben Watson. “The ability to not only understand how iconic designs came to be, but how design solutions evolved over time, is a never-ending source of inspiration.” Exclusive tours of the archive will be available in July and August in partnership with the Cranbrook Art Museum and in October in partnership with Docomomo.

The 17th-century frescoes and antique mirrors should immediately tip visitors off: This showroom has something it needs to say. Palazzo Durini Caproni di Taliedo is a historic building in Milan, designed and built in the mid-1600s by Baroque architect Francesco Maria Richini. Among many other monumental works and churches, he also designed Milan’s Palazzo di Brera, which currently includes the Pinacoteca di Brera museum. The Palazzo Durini Caproni di Taliedo was commissioned by the heir to the Durinis, a wealthy merchant family.Today the palazzo is furniture showroom as palimpsest. Since 2021, Edra has exhibited collaborations with supremely contemporary designers, including the Campana brothers, Jacopo Foggini, and Francesco Binfaré, amid the restored Baroque grandeur.Courtesy Edra.Palazzo Durini in the 1920s, when the famed Italian aircraft designer and aeronautical engineer Giovanni Battista Caproni used it as an office.Walking through the rooms, one might imagine the visitors who could have lounged on an Edra “On the Rocks” sofa at one time or another in the history of this place: Giovanni Battista Caproni, the Italian count and aeronautical engineer who lived and worked in the building for more than 40 years? Soccer sensation Ronaldo, who caused a near riot when he visited the palazzo during its Inter Football Club era, when the sports association’s offices were located here? Or could it be iconic designer Gio Ponti, who is said to have drawn that gilded Art Deco bathroom with green terrazzo floors in the back?One palazzo, so many lives. ◾Top Image: Palazzo Durini now, in its Edra showroom era. The frescoes may be 17th-century, but the furniture is the 2021 A’mare collection by Jacopo Foggini.This story originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBEStellene VolandesEditor In ChiefEditor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes is a jewelry expert, and the author of Jeweler: Masters and Mavericks of Modern Design (Rizzoli).

Montreal City Hall – Beaupré Michaud and Associates, Architects in collaboration with MU Architecture, Montreal. Photo credit: Raphaël Thibodeau The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) has revealed the winners of its 2025 Awards of Excellence in Architecture. A total of eleven projects were recognized at a gala hosted by Jean-René Dufort at Espace St-Denis in Montreal. The Grand Prix d’excellence en architecture was awarded to the restoration of Montreal City Hall , a major project led by Beaupré Michaud et Associés, architects, and MU Architecture. This complex project successfully preserves the building’s historical qualities while transforming it into an exemplary place in terms of energy and ecology.  Guided by plans from the 1920s, the architects revived this building by equipping it with contemporary, efficient, more open, and more accessible features for residents. In addition to the heritage restoration, the team also reconciled old and contemporary technologies, energy efficiency, universal accessibility, and the reappropriation of spaces that had become dilapidated. The People’s Choice Award was presented to the Coop Milieu de l’île, designed by Pivot: Coopérative d’architecture. Located in Outremont, this 91-unit intergenerational housing cooperative was born from the initiative of a group of committed citizens looking to address the housing crisis by creating affordable, off-market housing. In the context of the housing crisis, the jury emphasized that this project, which is also the recipient of an Award of Excellence, designed by and for its residents, acts as a “breath of fresh air in Outremont.” Coop Milieu de l’île. Pivot: Architecture Cooperative, Montreal. Photo credit: Annie Fafard “The projects we evaluated this year were truly remarkable in their richness and diversity. The jury found in them everything that makes Quebec architecture so strong and unique: rigor, attention to detail, and respect for the context and built heritage. We saw emblematic projects, but also discreet gestures, almost invisible in the landscape. Some projects rehabilitated forgotten places, transformed historic buildings, or even imagined new spaces for collective living. All, in their own way, highlighted the powerful impact of built quality on our living environments,” said Gabrielle Nadeau, chair of the OAQ Awards of Excellence Jury. The jury for the 2025 Awards of Excellence in Architecture was chaired by Gabrielle Nadeau, principal design architect, COBE in Copenhagen. It also included architects Marianne Charbonneau of Agence Spatiale, Maxime-Alexis Frappier of ACDF, and Guillaume Martel-Trudel of Provencher-Roy. Élène Levasseur, director of research and education at Architecture sans frontières Québec, acted as the public representative. Through the Awards of Excellence in Architecture, presented annually, the Order aims to raise awareness among Quebecers of the multiple dimensions of architectural quality, in addition to promoting the role of the architects in the design of inspiring, sustainable and thoughtful senior living environments. The full list of winners include the following. Habitat Sélénite by _naturehumaine Habitat Sélénite – _naturehumaine, Eastman (Estrie). Photo: Raphaël Thibodeau École secondaire du Bosquet by ABCP | Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux | Bilodeau Baril Leeming Architectes École secondaire du Bosquet – ABCP | Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux | Bilodeau Baril Leeming Architectes, Drummondville (Centre-du-Québec). Photo: Stéphane Brügger Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy by Saucier + Perrotte Architectes et GLCRM Architectes Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy – Saucier + Perrotte Architectes et GLCRM Architectes, Québec (Capitale-Nationale). Photo: Olivier Blouin Maison A by Atelier Pierre Thibault Maison A – Atelier Pierre Thibault, Saint-Nicolas (Chaudière-Appalaches). Photo: Maxime Brouillet Nouvel Hôtel de Ville de La Pêche by BGLA Architecture et Design Urbain Nouvel Hôtel de Ville de La Pêche – BGLA Architecture et Design Urbain, La Pêche (Outaouais). Photo: Stéphane Brügger / Dominique Laroche École du Zénith by Pelletier de Fontenay + Leclerc École du Zénith – Pelletier de Fontenay + Leclerc, Shefford (Estrie). Photo: James Brittain / David Boyer Le Paquebot by _naturehumaine Le Paquebot – _naturehumaine, Montréal (Montréal). Photo: Ronan Mézière Coopérative funéraire la Seigneurie by ultralocal architectes Coopérative funéraire la Seigneurie – ultralocal architectes, Québec (Capitale-Nationale). Photo credit: Paul Dussault Site d’observation des bélugas Putep’t-awt by atelier5 + mainstudio Site d’observation des bélugas Putep’t-awt – atelier5 + mainstudio, Cacouna (Bas-Saint-Laurent). Photo: Stéphane Groleau The post OAQ Awards of Excellence winners announced appeared first on Canadian Architect.

8 Stunning Sunset Color Palettes Zoe Santoro •  In this article:See more ▼Post may contain affiliate links which give us commissions at no cost to you.There’s something absolutely magical about watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking hues that seem almost too beautiful to be real. As a designer, I find myself constantly inspired by these natural masterpieces that unfold before us every evening. The way warm oranges melt into soft pinks, how deep purples blend seamlessly with golden yellows – it’s like nature’s own masterclass in color theory. If you’re looking to infuse your next project with the warmth, romance, and natural beauty of a perfect sunset, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve curated eight of the most captivating sunset color palettes that will bring that golden hour magic directly into your designs. 👋 Psst... Did you know you can get unlimited downloads of 59,000+ fonts and millions of other creative assets for just $16.95/mo? Learn more »The 8 Most Breathtaking Sunset Color Palettes 1. Golden Hour Glow #FFD700 #FF8C00 #FF6347 #CD5C5C Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper This palette captures that perfect moment when everything seems to be touched by liquid gold. The warm yellows transition beautifully into rich oranges and soft coral reds, creating a sense of warmth and optimism that’s impossible to ignore. I find this combination works wonderfully for brands that want to evoke feelings of happiness, energy, and positivity. 2. Tropical Paradise #FF69B4 #FF1493 #FF8C00 #FFD700 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper Inspired by those incredible sunsets you see in tropical destinations, this vibrant palette combines hot pinks with brilliant oranges and golden yellows. It’s bold, it’s energetic, and it’s perfect for projects that need to make a statement. I love using these colors for summer campaigns or anything that needs to capture that vacation feeling. 3. Desert Dreams #CD853F #D2691E #B22222 #8B0000 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper Get 300+ Fonts for FREEEnter your email to download our 100% free "Font Lover's Bundle". For commercial & personal use. No royalties. No fees. No attribution. 100% free to use anywhere. The American Southwest produces some of the most spectacular sunsets on earth, and this palette pays homage to those incredible desert skies. The earthy browns blend into warm oranges before deepening into rich reds and burgundies. This combination brings a sense of grounding and authenticity that works beautifully for rustic or heritage brands. 4. Pastel Evening #FFE4E1 #FFA07A #F0E68C #DDA0DD Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper Not every sunset needs to be bold and dramatic. This softer palette captures those gentle, dreamy evenings when the sky looks like it’s been painted with watercolors. The delicate pinks, peaches, and lavenders create a romantic, ethereal feeling that’s perfect for wedding designs, beauty brands, or any project that needs a touch of feminine elegance. 5. Coastal Sunset #fae991 #FF7F50 #FF6347 #4169E1 #1E90FF Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper There’s something special about watching the sun set over the ocean, where warm oranges and corals meet the deep blues of the sea and sky. This palette captures that perfect contrast between warm and cool tones. I find it creates a sense of adventure and wanderlust that’s ideal for travel brands or outdoor companies. 6. Urban Twilight #ffeda3 #fdad52 #fc8a6e #575475 #111f2a Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper As the sun sets behind city skylines, you get these incredible contrasts between deep purples and vibrant oranges. This sophisticated palette brings together the mystery of twilight with the warmth of the setting sun. It’s perfect for creating designs that feel both modern and dramatic. 7. Autumn Harvest #FF4500 #FF8C00 #DAA520 #8B4513 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper This palette captures those perfect fall evenings when the sunset seems to echo the changing leaves. The deep oranges and golden yellows create a cozy, inviting feeling that’s perfect for seasonal campaigns or brands that want to evoke comfort and tradition. 8. Fire Sky #652220 #DC143C #FF0000 #FF4500 #FF8C00 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper Sometimes nature puts on a show that’s so intense it takes your breath away. This bold, fiery palette captures those dramatic sunsets that look like the sky is literally on fire. It’s not for the faint of heart, but when you need maximum impact and energy, these colors deliver in spades. Why Sunset Colors Never Go Out of Style Before we explore how to use these palettes effectively, let’s talk about why sunset colors have such enduring appeal in design. There’s something deeply ingrained in human psychology that responds to these warm, glowing hues. They remind us of endings and beginnings, of peaceful moments and natural beauty. From a design perspective, sunset colors offer incredible versatility. They can be bold and energetic or soft and romantic. They work equally well for corporate branding and personal projects. And perhaps most importantly, they’re inherently optimistic – they make people feel good. I’ve found that incorporating sunset-inspired colors into modern projects adds an instant sense of warmth and approachability that resonates with audiences across all demographics. Whether you’re working on packaging design, web interfaces, or environmental graphics, these palettes can help create an emotional connection that goes beyond mere aesthetics. How to Master Sunset Palettes in Contemporary Design Using sunset colors effectively requires more than just picking pretty hues and hoping for the best. Here are some strategies I’ve developed for incorporating these palettes into modern design work: Start with Temperature Balance One of the most important aspects of working with sunset palettes is understanding color temperature. Most sunset combinations naturally include both warm and cool elements – the warm oranges and yellows of the sun itself, balanced by the cooler purples and blues of the surrounding sky. Maintaining this temperature balance keeps your designs from feeling flat or monotonous. Layer for Depth Real sunsets have incredible depth and dimension, with colors layering and blending into each other. Try to recreate this in your designs by using gradients, overlays, or layered elements rather than flat blocks of color. This approach creates visual interest and mimics the natural way these colors appear in nature. Consider Context and Contrast While sunset colors are beautiful, they need to work within the context of your overall design. Pay attention to readability – text needs sufficient contrast against sunset backgrounds. Consider using neutrals like deep charcoal or cream to provide breathing room and ensure your message remains clear. Embrace Gradual Transitions The magic of a sunset lies in how colors flow seamlessly from one to another. Incorporate this principle into your designs through smooth gradients, subtle color shifts, or elements that bridge between different hues in your palette. The Science Behind Our Sunset Obsession As someone who’s spent years studying color psychology, I’m fascinated by why sunset colors have such universal appeal. Research suggests that warm colors like those found in sunsets trigger positive emotional responses and can even increase feelings of comfort and security. There’s also the association factor – sunsets are linked in our minds with relaxation, beauty, and positive experiences. When we see these colors in design, we unconsciously associate them with those same positive feelings. This makes sunset palettes particularly effective for brands that want to create emotional connections with their audiences. The cyclical nature of sunsets also plays a role. They happen every day, marking the transition from activity to rest, from work to leisure. This gives sunset colors a sense of familiarity and comfort that few other color combinations can match. Applying Sunset Palettes Across Design Disciplines One of the things I love most about sunset color palettes is how adaptable they are across different types of design work: Brand Identity Design Sunset colors can help brands convey warmth, optimism, and approachability. I’ve used variations of these palettes for everything from artisanal food companies to wellness brands. The key is choosing the right intensity level for your brand’s personality – softer palettes for more refined brands, bolder combinations for companies that want to make a statement. Digital Design In web and app design, sunset colors can create interfaces that feel warm and inviting rather than cold and clinical. I often use these palettes for backgrounds, accent elements, or call-to-action buttons. The natural flow between colors makes them perfect for creating smooth user experiences that guide the eye naturally through content. Print and Packaging Sunset palettes really shine in print applications where you can take advantage of rich, saturated colors. They work beautifully for packaging design, particularly for products associated with warmth, comfort, or natural ingredients. The key is ensuring your color reproduction is accurate – sunset colors can look muddy if not handled properly in print. Environmental Design In spaces, sunset colors can create incredibly welcoming environments. I’ve seen these palettes used effectively in restaurants, retail spaces, and even corporate offices where the goal is to create a sense of warmth and community. Seasonal Considerations and Trending Applications While sunset colors are timeless, they do have natural seasonal associations that smart designers can leverage. The warmer, more intense sunset palettes work beautifully for fall and winter campaigns, while the softer, more pastel variations are perfect for spring and summer applications. I’ve noticed a growing trend toward using sunset palettes in unexpected contexts – tech companies embracing warm gradients, financial services using sunset colors to appear more approachable, and healthcare brands incorporating these hues to create more comforting environments. Conclusion: Bringing Natural Beauty Into Modern Design As we’ve explored these eight stunning sunset color palettes, I hope you’ve gained new appreciation for the incredible design potential that nature provides us every single day. These colors aren’t just beautiful – they’re powerful tools for creating emotional connections, conveying brand values, and making designs that truly resonate with people. The secret to successfully using sunset palettes lies in understanding both their emotional impact and their technical requirements. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and intensities, but always keep your audience and context in mind. Remember, the best sunset colors aren’t just about picking the prettiest hues – they’re about capturing the feeling of those magical moments when day transitions to night. Whether you’re creating a logo that needs to convey warmth and trust, designing a website that should feel welcoming and approachable, or developing packaging that needs to stand out on crowded shelves, these sunset-inspired palettes offer endless possibilities. So the next time you catch yourself stopped in your tracks by a particularly stunning sunset, take a moment to really study those colors. Notice how they blend and flow, how they make you feel, and how they change as the light shifts. Then bring that natural magic into your next design project. After all, if nature can create such breathtaking color combinations every single day, imagine what we can achieve when we learn from the master. Happy designing! Zoe Santoro Zoe is an art student and graphic designer with a passion for creativity and adventure. Whether she’s sketching in a cozy café or capturing inspiration from vibrant cityscapes, she finds beauty in every corner of the world. With a love for bold colors, clean design, and storytelling through visuals, Zoe blends her artistic skills with her wanderlust to create stunning, travel-inspired designs. Follow her journey as she explores new places, discovers fresh inspiration, and shares her creative process along the way. 10 Warm Color Palettes That’ll Brighten Your DayThere’s nothing quite like the embracing quality of warm colors to make a design feel inviting and alive. As someone...These 1920s Color Palettes are ‘Greater than Gatsby’There’s something undeniably captivating about the color schemes of the Roaring Twenties. As a designer with a passion for historical...How Fonts Influence Tone and Clarity in Animated VideosAudiences interact differently with messages based on which fonts designers choose to use within a text presentation. Fonts shape how...

The ways roads are used, with ever larger and heavier vehicles, have dramatic consequences on the environment – and electric cars are not the answer Today, there is an average of 37 tonnes of road per inhabitant of the planet. The weight of the road network alone accounts for a third of all construction worldwide, and has grown exponentially in the 20th century. There is 10 times more bitumen, in mass, than there are living animals. Yet growth in the mass of roads does not automatically correspond to population growth, or translate into increased length of road networks. In wealthier countries, the number of metres of road per inhabitant has actually fallen over the last century. In the United States, for instance, between 1905 and 2015 the length of the network increased by a factor of 1.75 and the population by a factor of 3.8, compared with 21 for the mass of roads. Roads have become wider and, above all, much thicker. To understand the evolution of these parameters, and their environmental impact, it is helpful to trace the different stages in the life of the motorway.  Until the early 20th century, roads were used for various modes of transport, including horses, bicycles, pedestrians and trams; as a result of the construction of railways, road traffic even declined in some European countries in the 19th century. The main novelty brought by the motorway was that they would be reserved for motorised traffic. In several languages, the word itself – autostrada, autobahn, autoroute or motorway – speaks of this exclusivity.  Roman roads varied from simple corduroy roads, made by placing logs perpendicular to the direction of the road over a low or swampy area, to paved roads, as this engraving from Jean Rondelet’s 19th‑century Traité Théorique et Pratique de l’Art de Bâtir shows. Using deep roadbeds of tamped rubble as an underlying layer to ensure that they kept dry, major roads were often stone-paved, metalled, cambered for drainage and flanked by footpaths, bridleways and drainage ditches Like any major piece of infrastructure, motorways became the subject of ideological discourse, long before any shovel hit the ground; politicians underlined their role in the service of the nation, how they would contribute to progress, development, the economy, modernity and even civilisation. The inauguration ceremony for the construction of the first autostrada took place in March 1923, presided over by Italy’s prime minister Benito Mussolini. The second major motorway programme was announced by the Nazi government in 1933, with a national network planned to be around 7,000 kilometres long. In his 2017 book Driving Modernity: Technology, Experts, Politics, and Fascist Motorways, 1922–1943, historian Massimo Moraglio shows how both programmes were used as propaganda tools by the regimes, most notably at the international road congresses in Milan in 1926 and Munich in 1934. In the European postwar era, the notion of the ‘civilising’ effect of roads persevered. In 1962, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, then‑secretary of state for finances and later president of France, argued that expanded motorways would bring ‘progress, activity and life’. This discourse soon butted up against the realities of how motorways affected individuals and communities. In his 2011 book Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City, Peter D Norton explores the history of resistance to the imposition of motorised traffic in North American cities. Until the 1920s, there was a perception that cars were dangerous newcomers, and that other street and road uses – especially walking – were more legitimate. Cars were associated with speed and danger; restrictions on motorists, especially speed limits, were routine.  Built between 1962 and 1970, the Westway was London’s first urban motorway, elevated above the city to use less land. Construction workers are seen stressing the longitudinal soffit cables inside the box section of the deck units to achieve the bearing capacity necessary to carry the weight of traffic Credit: Heritage Image Partnership Ltd / Alamy To gain domination over cities, motor vehicles had to win priority over other street uses. Rather than restricting the flow of vehicles to minimise the risk of road accidents, a specific infrastructure was dedicated to them: both inner‑city roads and motorways. Cutting through the landscape, the motorway had, by definition, to be inaccessible by any other means of transport than motorised vehicle. To guarantee the fluidity of traffic, the construction of imposing bridges, tunnels and interchanges is necessary, particularly at junctions with other roads, railways or canals. This prioritisation of one type of user inevitably impacts journeys for others; as space is fragmented, short journeys are lengthened for those trying to navigate space by foot or bicycle.  Enabling cars to drive at around 110–140km/h on motorways, as modern motorways do, directly impacts their design, with major environmental effects: the gradient has to be gentle (4 per cent), the curves long (1.5km in radius) and the lanes wide, to allow vehicles to overtake each other safely. As much terrain around the world is not naturally suited to these requirements, the earthworks are considerable: in France, the construction of a metre of highway requires moving some 100m3 of earth, and when the soil is soft, full of clay or peat, it is made firmer with hydraulic lime and cement before the highway’s first sub‑layers are laid. This material cost reinforces the criticisms levelled in the 1960s, by the likes of Jane Jacobs and Lewis Mumford, at urban planning that prioritised the personal motor vehicle. When roads are widened to accommodate more traffic, buildings are sliced and demolished, as happened in Dhaka’s Bhasantek Road in 2021 Credit: Dhaka Tribune Once built, the motorway is never inert. Motorway projects today generally anticipate future expansion (from 2×2 to 2×3 to 2×4 lanes), and include a large median strip of 12m between the lanes, with a view to adding new ones. Increases in speed and vehicle sizes have also translated into wider lanes, from 2.5m in 1945 to 3.5m today. The average contemporary motorway footprint is therefore 100 square metres per linear metre. Indeed, although the construction of a road is supposed to reduce congestion, it also generates new traffic and, therefore, new congestion. This is the principle of ‘induced traffic’: the provision of extra road capacity results in a greater volume of traffic. The Katy Freeway in Texas famously illustrates this dynamic. Built as a regular six‑lane highway in the 1960s, it was called the second worst bottleneck in the nation by 2004, wasting 25 million hours a year of commuter time. In 2011, the state of Texas invested US$2.8 billion to fix this problem, widening the road to a staggering total of 26 lanes. By 2014, the morning and afternoon traffic had both increased again. The vicious circle based on the induced traffic has been empirically demonstrated in most countries: traffic has continued to increase and congestion remains unresolved, leading to ever-increasing emissions. In the EU, transport is the only sector where greenhouse gas emissions have increased in the past three decades, rising 33.5 per cent between 1990 and 2019. Transport accounts for around a fifth of global CO₂ emissions today, with three quarters of this figure linked to road transport. Houston’s Katy Freeway is one of the world’s widest motorways, with 26 lanes. Its last expansion, in 2008, was initially hailed as a success, but within five years, peak travel times were longer than before the expansion – a direct illustration of the principle of induced traffic Credit: Smiley N Pool / Houston Chronicle / Getty Like other large transport infrastructures such as ports and airports, motorways are designed for the largest and heaviest vehicles. Engineers, road administrations and politicians have known since the 1950s that one truck represents millions of cars: the impact of a vehicle on the roadway is exponential to its weight – an online ‘road damage calculator’ allows you to compare the damage done by different types of vehicles to the road. Over the years, heavier and heavier trucks have been authorised to operate on roads: from 8‑tonne trucks in 1945 to 44 tonnes nowadays. The European Parliament adopted a revised directive on 12 March 2024 authorising mega‑trucks to travel on European roads; they can measure up to 25 metres and weigh up to 60 tonnes, compared with the previous limits of 18.75 metres and 44 tonnes. This is a political and economic choice with considerable material effects: thickness, rigidity of sub‑bases and consolidation of soil and subsoil with lime and cement. Altogether, motorways are 10 times thicker than large roads from the late 19th century. In France, it takes an average of 30 tonnes of sand and aggregate to build one linear metre of motorway, 100 times more than cement and bitumen.  The material history of road networks is a history of quarrying and environmental damage. The traces of roads can also be seen in rivers emptied of their sediment, the notches of quarries in the hills and the furrows of dredgers extracting sand from the seabed. This material extraction, arguably the most significant in human history, has dramatic ecological consequences for rivers, groundwater tables, the rise of sea levels and saltwater in farmlands, as well as biodiversity. As sand is ubiquitous and very cheap, the history of roads is also the history of a local extractivism and environmental conflicts around the world.  Shoving and rutting is the bulging and rippling of the pavement surface. Once built, roads require extensive maintenance – the heavier the vehicles, the quicker the damage. From pothole repair to the full resurfacing of a road, maintenance contributes to keeping road users safe Credit: Yakov Oskanov / Alamy Once roads are built and extended, they need to be maintained to support the circulation of lorries and, by extension, commodities. This stage is becoming increasingly important as rail freight, which used to be important in countries such as France and the UK, is declining, accounting for no more than 10 per cent of the transport of commodities. Engineers might judge that a motorway is destined to last 20 years or so, but this prognosis will be significantly reduced with heavy traffic. The same applies to the thousands of motorway bridges: in the UK, nearly half of the 9,000 highway bridges are in poor condition; in France, 7 per cent of the 12,000 bridges are in danger of collapsing, as did Genoa’s Morandi bridge in 2018. If only light vehicles drove on it, this infrastructure would last much longer. This puts into perspective governments’ insistence on ‘greening’ the transport sector by targeting CO2 emissions alone, typically by promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs). Public policies prioritising EVs do nothing to change the mass of roads or the issue of their maintenance – even if lorries were to run on clean air, massive quarrying would still be necessary. A similar argument plays out with regard to canals and ports, which have been constantly widened and deepened for decades to accommodate ever-larger oil tankers or container ships. The simple operation of these infrastructures, dimensioned for the circulation of commodities and not humans, requires permanent dredging of large volumes. The environmental problem of large transport infrastructure goes beyond the type of energy used: it is, at its root, free and globalised trade. ‘The material life cycle of motorways is relentless: constructing, maintaining, widening, thickening, repairing’ As both a material and ideological object, the motorway fixes certain political choices in the landscape. Millions of kilometres of road continue to be asphalted, widened and thickened around the world to favour cars and lorries. In France, more than 80 per cent of today’s sand and aggregate extraction is used for civil engineering works – the rest goes to buildings. Even if no more buildings, roads or other infrastructures were to be built, phenomenal quantities of sand and aggregates would still need to be extracted in order to maintain existing road networks. The material life cycle of motorways is relentless: constructing, maintaining, widening, thickening, repairing, adding new structures such as wildlife crossings, more maintaining.  Rising traffic levels are always deemed positive by governments for a country’s economy and development. As Christopher Wells shows in his 2014 book Car Country: An Environmental History, car use becomes necessary in an environment where everything has been planned for the car, from the location of public services and supermarkets to residential and office areas. Similarly, when an entire economy is based on globalised trade and just‑in‑time logistics (to the point that many service economies could not produce their own personal protective equipment in the midst of a pandemic), the lorry and the container ship become vital.  The final stage in the life of a piece of motorway infrastructure is dismantling. Like the other stages, this one is not a natural outcome but the fruit of political choices – which should be democratic – regarding how we wish to use existing roads. Dismantling, which is essential if we are to put an end to the global extractivism of sand and aggregates, does not mean destruction: if bicycles and pedestrians were to use them instead, maintenance would be minimal. This final stage requires a paradigm shift away from the eternal adaptation to increasing traffic. Replacing cars and lorries with public transport and rail freight would be a first step. But above all, a different political and spatial organisation of economic activities is necessary, and ultimately, an end to globalised, just-in-time trade and logistics. In 1978, a row of cars parked at a shopping centre in Connecticut was buried under a thick layer of gooey asphalt. The Ghost Parking Lot, one of the first projects by James Wines’ practice SITE, became a playground for skateboarders until it was removed in 2003. Images of this lumpy landscape serve as allegories of the damage caused by reliance on the automobile Credit: Project by SITE Lead image: Some road damage is beyond repair, as when a landslide caused a large chunk of the Gothenburg–Oslo motorway to collapse in 2023. Such dramatic events remind us of both the fragility of these seemingly robust infrastructures, and the damage that extensive construction does to the planet. Credit: Hanna Brunlöf Windell / TT / Shutterstock 2025-06-03 Reuben J Brown Share

How Will Transportation Work in the Future? A Look at the Rise of Electric Mobility in CitiesSave this picture!Boise, United States. Image via Wikipedia user: Fæ. License under CC0 1.0. Image Author: Alden SkeieFrom greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution to deforestation, one of the leading contributors to global warming today is emissions from the transportation sector. Exploring its origins and evolution, as well as the major challenges it faces, the development of electric mobility in urban environments represents a global transition that requires a coordinated mix of policies and actions to achieve cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems. Designing safe and comfortable infrastructure for walking and cycling, promoting public transit and shared mobility, and designing more efficient streets that include electric vehicles, among other actions, are part of a growing worldwide effort to reduce carbon emissions.Although electric vehicles were invented before gasoline and diesel cars in the first half of the 19th century, they have undergone significant technological advances over the past 20 years, reducing their costs and their environmental impact, and increasing their utility. Around 1834, Thomas Davenport developed the first battery-powered electric vehicle, building a small train on a circular track and inventing the first direct current (DC) electric motor. Although there were numerous innovations in the years that followed, battery limitations were a major obstacle. The zinc consumption of a battery was four times more expensive than the coal consumption of a steam engine, so at that time it competed with the electric motor. Save this picture!By 1898, the first commercially available electric vehicles were operating in London and New York. As Francisco Martín Moreno explains in "Vehículos eléctricos. Historia, estado actual y retos futuros", in the early 1900s, several electric car models emerged, primarily accessible to wealthy consumers and designed for short distances. In contrast, the early gasoline-powered cars introduced in the 1920s were noisy, emitted strong gasoline odors, and were hard to drive due to complex gear systems. However, large quantities of oil were discovered between 1920 and 1930, making gasoline-powered cars cheaper in Texas and other US states. Highways began to be built connecting cities, allowing gasoline-powered vehicles to travel from one city to another, something beyond the reach of electric vehicles due to their short range. Mass production techniques like Henry Ford's assembly line further reduced costs, making gas-powered cars affordable to the middle class. Related Article Gas Stations and Electric Cars: How Do They Change Cities Save this picture!By the late 1920s, gasoline vehicles had overtaken electric vehicles, and electric car production largely ceased in the 1930s. However, as a result of the oil crisis in the 1970s and the Gulf War in the 1990s, along with the emergence of climate change as a priority, there was a renewed interest in electric cars. This resurgence led to new models of electric vehicles—from small cars to buses and even trucks. The energy crisis led to an increase in gasoline prices, and society in advanced countries began to become aware of the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from oil combustion, the greenhouse effect, and climate change. Concern about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change increased as oil prices rose, and society began to recognize and become more aware of the impact of the current transportation model on cities and the urgency of finding more environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.Save this picture!Save this picture!In developed countries during the 20th century, the growth of cities was largely due to private car use, allowing citizens to travel miles and miles daily from home to work. Suburban expansion shifted the cost of commuting to individuals. Some residential areas are developing far from the city center and industrial zones, where a large proportion of the population relies on cars. In 2010, the global population was around 7 billion, and it's expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. The number of vehicles, meanwhile, is projected to grow from 75 million in 2010 to 2.5 billion by 2050. Will there be enough fossil fuels to power this massive fleet? What will be the future of gas stations?Save this picture!To meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and reduce growing air pollution, low- and middle-income countries should join the global transition to zero-emission electric transport. According to data from the International Energy Agency and the European Alternative Fuels Observatory, China led the world in 2024 with over 7 million electric vehicles (including cars and buses) in operation—an increase of over 3 million in just one year. The U.S. ranked second, followed by Germany, which leads in Europe with about 1.3 million EVs. The UK and France round out the top five.Save this picture!To support this transition, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a global initiative alongside private sector partners, academic institutions, and financial organizations, helping low- and middle-income countries shift to electric mobility. In Latin America, transportation accounts for around one-third of CO₂ emissions. In Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America, motorcycles and three-wheelers are essential for daily mobility, often covering over 100 km per day. However, these vehicles usually rely on outdated technologies, making them highly polluting and inefficient. Electrifying two- and three-wheelers presents a significant opportunity to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. UNEP is assisting 17 countries in creating national strategies and running pilot projects to introduce these electric vehicles in regions like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.Save this picture!Given the rapid urbanization in many low- and middle-income countries, mass public transport remains a cornerstone of urban mobility. Cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are investing in better transportation systems, including high-capacity bus corridors and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Yet, with the average bus lifespan exceeding 12 years, it's essential to avoid locking cities into outdated technologies. Developing policies to support and incentivize the adoption of zero-emission vehicles is essential to achieving the electrification of public transport. The European Commission proposes promoting investment initiatives in charging infrastructure and emissions trading, to be implemented starting in 2026, by putting a carbon price on fossil-fuel vehicles. This measure seeks to boost the use of electric vehicles and the transformation of transport systems. Now, how could charging infrastructure be developed to support a potential massive growth in the electric vehicle fleet? What upgrades and innovations are needed to handle this future demand? What would happen if all transportation suddenly depended on the power grid?Save this picture!Save this picture!The UN emphasizes that using public transportation is critical to curbing climate change. Electrifying buses and trains could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to two-thirds per passenger per kilometer compared to private vehicles. Still, private cars hold the greatest potential for emission reduction. In 2018, light-duty vehicles were responsible for nearly half of all transport emissions—including those from rail, sea, and air travel. Several major carmakers have announced ambitious plans to release new EV models in the next five years.Save this picture!According to a study by the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility (2019), roughly 60% of global car trips are under 8 kilometers, making them ideal for micromobility solutions. Electromicromobility refers to small, lightweight, and low-speed electric transportation options for short distances, such as electric skateboards, scooters, bikes, mopeds, and quadricycles. From a user perspective, electric vehicles still face hurdles like high costs, limited range, and long charging times. However, their broader societal benefits—particularly emissions reductions—are significant. Therefore, local and national governments are encouraged to implement supportive policies, such as vehicle purchase subsidies, tax breaks, free charging stations, parking benefits, access to city centers, and special electricity rates for nighttime charging, etc.Save this picture!Save this picture!Ultimately, we should ask: What lies ahead for modern transportation? How could new forms of natural, artificial, and collective intelligence be integrated into the design of today's transportation systems to improve resilience to environmental and growth challenges? What partnerships between countries, industries, and organizations are needed to ensure a sustainable and innovative supply of key materials? What will happen to used EV batteries and electronic components? Will be electric mobility in cities the only way to reduce carbon emissions?This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: What Is Future Intelligence?, proudly presented by Gendo, an AI co-pilot for Architects. Our mission at Gendo is to help architects produce concept images 100X faster by focusing on the core of the design process. We have built a cutting edge AI tool in collaboration with architects from some of the most renowned firms such as Zaha Hadid, KPF and David Chipperfield.Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us. Image gallerySee allShow less About this authorAgustina IñiguezAuthor••• Cite: Agustina Iñiguez. "How Will Transportation Work in the Future? A Look at the Rise of Electric Mobility in Cities" 03 Jun 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1030500/how-will-transportation-work-in-the-future-a-look-at-the-rise-of-electric-mobility-in-cities&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

During most of the introduction to the Wake Up Dead Man portion of Saturday night’s Netflix Tudum event, writer-director Rian Johnson and his starry cast, led by a folksy Daniel Craig, had fun hiding what the third Knives Out mystery is about. In fact we really don’t know. But as judged by the first teaser trailer for the movie, it is going for a darker and more oblique tone than the general playfulness viewers remember from Knives Out and Glass Onion, marketing included. In the teaser, a church bell ominously sounds in the distance as images suffused in shadow and nocturnal rains cascade down around Craig’s unexpectedly stoic Benoit Blanc. Without a charming witticism or visual gag in sight, Blanc tersely intones during the trailer, “The impossible crime. For a man of reason this is the Holy Grail.” Through it all, a haunting hymn plays as an elegiac and Southern voice cries, “O Death, O Death, Won’t you spare me over til another year.” While we still know relatively little about the plot of Wake Up Dead Man beyond its terrific ensemble—which includes Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, and Cailee Spaeny—the song choice might tell us a lot about the film’s setting, and possibly the dark places it intends to go. Initially speculation regarding the third Knives Out picture assumed that it would be set in England where most of the film’s production occurred. And while that might still be the case, we suspect the English countryside might be used to substitute for something a little closer to home for American viewers—and distinctly Southern. Indeed, many fans of the Coen Brothers likely recognize the song “O, Death” used in the trailer, for it is the exact version sung by the late bluegrass artist Ralph Stanley in Joel and Ethan Coen’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). Stanley, it should be stressed, is a legend in the bluegrass and folk sound of music who won a Grammy for this version of “O Death.” However, his vocals were used in O Brother (and now Wake Up Dead Man) to send a chill up the spine when sung a cappella style in the third act of the Coens’ Mississippi-set Depression fable. After all, on screen the song is being sung not by a simple musician, but by the grand wizard of a Ku Klux Klan chapter which has gathered to lynch and murder a young Black man on a trumped up accusation based in superstition. The Coens’ choice of this song to be sung by the KKK in the 1930s is probably not accidental either. The standard version of the song’s origin is that it’s a traditional Appalachian folk song written by Baptist preacher Lloyd Chandler. Chandler certainly performed the song in the 1920s in North Carolina, allegedly after receiving a vision from God of the song in 1916. However, further research has proven that Chandler’s composition bears an uncanny similarity to a 1913 printed version of a folk song (that is therefore likely much older) in Journal of American Folklore. The journal asserted the song was sung by “Eastern North Carolina Negroes.” Which is all to say, the song’s ambiguous origin is rooted in the cultural milieu and tensions of the American South during the days and decades of Jim Crow and after the Civil War. It was used by the Coens as a disturbingly beautiful song of annihilation put in the mouths of mass murdering racists, and it is now used to signal what appears to be the first Benoit Blanc mystery to return to the region of Benoit’s home: the American South. (This setting is seemingly further verified by the fact that one of the film’s law enforcement figures is dressed like someone from an American sheriff’s office as opposed to an English village.) This is all of course speculation, but to use this song and Stanley’s Grammy-winning version of it specifically is likely a deliberate choice on Johnson’s part. And given how Johnson is unafraid to use what on the surface appear to be cozy murder mysteries to interrogate larger issues of social rot and inequality in the modern world via both Knives Out and Glass Onion, we are left to wonder just how deeply Southern the roots of his third murder mystery will run. Wake Up Dead Man premieres on Dec. 12 on Netflix.

The Photography Seoul Museum of Art (PhotoSeMA) officially opened its doors in May 2025, marking a significant milestone as South Korea’s first public institution solely dedicated to the art of photography. Situated in the Dobong District of northeastern Seoul, this architectural marvel is the result of a collaboration between Austrian firm Jadric Architektur and Korean studio 1990uao Architects. The museum’s dynamic, twisting facade not only serves as a visual landmark but also symbolizes the fluidity and transformative nature of photography itself. Spanning six levels, four above ground and two below, the museum encompasses a total area of 7,048 square meters. Its design emphasizes the interplay between light and space, with broad concrete surfaces and filtered lighting creating an environment conducive to introspection and artistic appreciation. Designers: Jadric Architektur and 1990uao Architects Interior spaces are thoughtfully punctuated by voids and light wells, allowing natural light to shape the visitor experience throughout the day. The building’s exterior features a twisting monolithic shape that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding public space, inviting visitors to engage with the museum both inside and out. This design choice reflects the architects’ intention to create a “walk-in object” that fosters community interaction and cultural engagement. PhotoSeMA’s opening is marked by two inaugural exhibitions that delve into the history and evolution of Korean photography. The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography showcases seminal works by artists such as Jung Haechang, Lim Suk Je, Lee Hyungrok, Cho Hyundu, and Park Youngsook. Drawing from a collection of over 20,000 works and archival materials dating from the 1920s to the 1990s, the exhibition offers a comprehensive look at the medium’s development in Korea. Meanwhile, Storage Story features contemporary artists Dongsin Seo, Won Seoung Won, Jihyun Jung, Joo Yongseong, Melmel Chung, and Oh Jooyoung. This exhibition explores the museum itself as a subject, examining themes of classification, memory, and the evolving role of cultural institutions in society. As part of the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) network, PhotoSeMA extends the institution’s reach and reinforces its commitment to diverse artistic expressions. The museum not only provides a dedicated space for photographic art but also contributes to the cultural revitalization of the Dobong District, aligning with the city’s broader efforts to establish a “cultural mile” in the area. With its innovative design and focused curatorial approach, the Photography Seoul Museum of Art stands as a testament to the dynamic intersection of architecture and photography, offering visitors a unique space to explore and appreciate the visual narratives that shape our world. The post South Korea’s first public museum for photography now open first appeared on Yanko Design.

The so-called Russian Wedding Ring was a jewelry design that allegedly emerged from 19th-century Russia. It consists of three interlocked rings, each of them sized slightly larger than the target finger size, so that all three together will slide smoothly onto a finger. In the 1920s Cartier co-opted the design, releasing their Trinity Ring. Each of the three rings was a different tone of gold: Rose, yellow and white. (In a bit of marketing spin, it was even claimed that the poet Jean Cocteau designed these for Cartier; in fact, it appears he was simply associated with them as the 20th-century version of an influencer.) So how are these made? If you're familiar with casting, you'll have figured out that if they were all the same metal, you could cast it all as one piece with thinner supporting structures connecting the rings; you'd break those off, then grind and polish the rings smooth. It would likely be a nightmare for the craftsperson charged with the finishing tasks, as two rings would always be in the way while you worked on the third. However, the casting method is out if you're using different metals. So how was it done? In this short video, silversmith Jessica Hickman-Woolcott of the Cognac Jewellery School shows you how. (Although she's using the same metal for all three rings, you get the idea.)

10 Warm Color Palettes That’ll Brighten Your Day Preston Lee • May 30, 2025 In this article:See more ▼Post may contain affiliate links which give us commissions at no cost to you.There’s nothing quite like the embracing quality of warm colors to make a design feel inviting and alive. As someone who’s spent years working with color, I can tell you that warm palettes have this incredible ability to create instant emotional connection – they draw people in, make them feel comfortable, and add that special touch of energy that cooler tones just can’t match. Whether you’re designing a brand identity that needs to feel approachable, creating an interior space that welcomes guests, or crafting digital experiences that feel human and engaging, warm color palettes are your secret weapon. I’ve curated eight of my favorite warm color combinations that never fail to bring projects to life. 👋 Psst... Did you know you can get unlimited downloads of 59,000+ fonts and millions of other creative assets for just $16.95/mo? Learn more »The 10 Most Inviting Warm Color Palettes 1. Fireplace Embers This palette captures the deep, glowing warmth of a crackling fire, moving from the darkest burnt wood tones through bright flames to golden sparks. There’s something primal and comforting about these colors that instantly makes any space feel like home. #582707 #972D07 #FF4B3E #FFB20F #FFE548 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper I love how this combination builds intensity from the rich chocolate browns through vibrant reds to sunny yellows. It’s perfect for brands that want to convey both reliability and energy. 2. Sunset Adobe Inspired by southwestern architecture bathed in golden hour light, this palette brings together warm earth tones with vibrant coral and cooling sage. It’s sophisticated warmth with just the right amount of contrast. #FAD089 #FF9C5B #F5634A #ED303C #3B8183 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper The unexpected teal at the end grounds this palette beautifully, preventing it from becoming too intense while adding depth and sophistication. Perfect for luxury brands with a natural, artisanal feel. 3. Sunset Glow This palette captures those magical golden hour moments when the sky transforms into a canvas of warm brilliance. I find myself reaching for these colors whenever I want to create something that feels optimistic and energizing.Get 300+ Fonts for FREEEnter your email to download our 100% free "Font Lover's Bundle". For commercial & personal use. No royalties. No fees. No attribution. 100% free to use anywhere. #FF6B35 #F7931E #FFD23F #FFF8E7 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper The interplay between the deep coral and bright amber creates movement, while the cream base keeps everything grounded. Perfect for brands that want to convey warmth and reliability. 4. Autumn Harvest Nothing says cozy quite like the rich, earthy tones of fall foliage. This palette brings together the deep warmth of changing leaves with the golden light of shorter days. #8B4513 #CD853F #DAA520 #F4E4BC Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper I love using this combination for projects that need to feel established and trustworthy. There’s something about these colors that speaks to tradition and quality. 5. Desert Bloom Inspired by the surprising bursts of color found in arid landscapes, this palette combines the warmth of sun-baked earth with vibrant desert flowers. #E07A5F #F2CC8F #81B29A #F4F3EE Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper The sage green might seem like an unexpected addition, but it perfectly balances the intensity of the coral and creates a sophisticated warmth that’s both modern and timeless. 6. Campfire Stories This palette evokes those perfect evenings around a crackling fire, when conversation flows as freely as the warm light dancing across faces. #D2691E #CD5C5C #F4A460 #FDF5E6 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper These colors work beautifully together because they share that flickering, organic quality of firelight. I often recommend this palette for hospitality brands or any project that wants to feel welcoming and communal. 7. Spiced Chai Drawing inspiration from aromatic spices and comfort drinks, this palette brings together the warmth of cinnamon, cardamom, and rich cream. #A0522D #DEB887 #F5DEB3 #FFFAF0 Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper There’s something incredibly soothing about these colors. They remind me of cozy cafes and intimate conversations, making them perfect for brands in the wellness or food space. 8. Coral Reef This vibrant palette captures the living warmth of tropical waters, where coral formations create stunning displays of natural color. #FF7F7F #FFB347 #FFCCCB #FFF5EE Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper The soft peachy tones create depth while maintaining that cheerful, energetic feeling. I love using this palette for brands targeting younger audiences or projects that need to feel fresh and lively. 9. Terracotta Dreams Inspired by Mediterranean architecture and handcrafted pottery, this palette brings together earthy reds with warm neutrals that feel both ancient and contemporary. #CD853F #A0522D #DEB887 #F5F5DC Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper These colors have been beloved by cultures around the world for centuries, and there’s good reason for that enduring appeal. They create spaces and designs that feel both sophisticated and approachable. 10. Golden Hour This palette captures that perfect moment when everything is bathed in warm, golden light – when ordinary scenes become magical and every color seems to glow from within. #FFD700 #FFA500 #FF8C00 #FFFACD Download this color palette 735×1102 Pinterest image 2160×3840 Vertical wallpaper 900×900 Square 3840×2160 4K Wallpaper I find these colors work exceptionally well for luxury brands or any project that wants to convey premium quality and elegance without feeling cold or distant. Why Warm Colors Work So Well Before diving deeper into how to use these palettes, it’s worth understanding why warm colors have such powerful psychological effects. Warm colors – reds, oranges, yellows, and their variations – literally make us feel warmer. They increase our heart rate slightly, create feelings of energy and excitement, and make spaces feel more intimate and cozy. From a design perspective, warm colors advance visually, meaning they appear to come forward in a composition. This makes them excellent for creating focal points and drawing attention. They’re also associated with comfort, friendliness, and approachability – qualities that most brands and spaces want to embody. As a designer, I’ve noticed that warm palettes tend to make people linger longer, whether that’s on a website, in a store, or in a room. There’s something inherently inviting about these colors that makes people want to stay and explore. Making Warm Palettes Work in Modern Design The challenge with warm color palettes is that they can sometimes feel overwhelming or dated if not handled carefully. Here’s how I approach using them in contemporary projects: Start with restraint. You don’t need to use every color in a palette at full saturation. Often, using one or two colors as the primary focus and letting others play supporting roles creates more sophisticated results. Consider your lighting. Warm colors can look dramatically different under various lighting conditions. Always test your palette in the actual environment where it will be seen, whether that’s on different screens or under different types of artificial lighting. Balance temperature. While these are warm palettes, introducing small amounts of cooler tones can create visual interest and prevent the overall feeling from becoming too intense. Notice how several of my palettes include sage greens or cool creams. Think about texture. Warm colors often work beautifully with textural elements. Consider how these colors might look on different materials – matte versus glossy finishes, rough versus smooth textures. Use white space strategically. Warm colors can feel crowded if not given room to breathe. Generous white space or neutral backgrounds help warm colors feel more sophisticated and less overwhelming. Warm Palettes Across Different Applications The beauty of warm color palettes lies in their versatility. I’ve successfully used variations of these combinations across virtually every type of design project. In branding, warm palettes work exceptionally well for companies in food service, hospitality, wellness, education, and family-oriented businesses. They convey approachability and trustworthiness while still feeling energetic and modern. For interior spaces, these palettes create environments where people naturally want to gather and connect. I particularly love using warm colors in dining areas, living rooms, and any space designed for conversation and relaxation. In digital design, warm palettes can make websites and apps feel more human and less sterile. They’re especially effective for call-to-action buttons, as warm colors naturally draw the eye and encourage interaction. For packaging and product design, warm colors suggest quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. They’re particularly effective for artisanal products, gourmet foods, and premium lifestyle brands. The Cultural Context of Warmth It’s fascinating to consider how different cultures have embraced warm colors throughout history. From the ochres and umbers used in cave paintings to the vibrant oranges and reds found in Indian textiles, warm colors have always been associated with life, energy, and celebration. In contemporary design, we’re seeing a renewed appreciation for these earthy, warm tones as people seek more authentic, human-centered experiences. After years of cool, minimalist aesthetics dominating design trends, there’s a growing hunger for color palettes that feel more emotionally resonant and personally meaningful. This shift isn’t just aesthetic – it reflects deeper cultural changes toward valuing comfort, community, and authentic connection over stark perfection. Seasonal Considerations While warm colors work year-round, they do have natural seasonal associations that can be leveraged strategically. The autumn-inspired palettes feel most natural during fall months, while the coral and sunset palettes align beautifully with summer energy. However, I’ve found that using warm colors counter-seasonally can create particularly memorable impressions. A warm, cozy palette during winter months can provide welcome relief from the cold, while warm colors in spring can feel fresh and optimistic. Bringing It All Together Working with warm color palettes is ultimately about understanding the emotional response you want to create. These colors have the power to make people feel welcomed, energized, and comfortable – but they require thoughtful application to achieve their full potential. Whether you choose the earthy sophistication of Terracotta Dreams or the vibrant energy of Coral Reef, remember that the most successful warm palettes are those that feel intentional and balanced. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but always consider how your color choices serve the overall goals of your project. The world needs more warmth – in our interactions, our spaces, and our visual experiences. These eight palettes offer you the tools to bring that warmth into your design work, creating experiences that don’t just look good, but feel good too. So go ahead, embrace the warmth. Let these colors bring life and energy to your next project, and watch as they transform not just the visual impact, but the emotional resonance of your work. After all, great design isn’t just about what we see – it’s about how it makes us feel. Preston Lee Preston Lee is a graphic and web designer who grew up drawing, painting, and building with Lego. Okay, let's face it: he still does all of those things. But now, he gets paid to design websites, design graphics, write, and do all kinds of creative things. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur, Inc, Forbes, Adobe, and many more. 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