Thank you to everyone that has read the original post and asked for more information and specifics. I am going to add additional Blog posts to include additional information in response to your questions. If there is a topic you want us to cover in more detail, let us know.
What are the paint colors? Do they really matter?
This is the question that has been asked the most, but is only part of the answer that people are seeking. The actual paint chips for the colors are here, but you will see my handwritten labels on them too. Our colors were chosen because they should enhance the space, but are also fit for purpose in the spaces that we are using them.
Each of our learning pods has 4 basic spaces:
Primary Academic Room
Secondary Academic Room
Quiet Space
Common Space
The colors used in each room are consistent across the pods so that they are easy to recognize when moving between the pods.
Our Primary Academic Room is Rainwater. This is easily the brightest of the 4 colors. That correlates to it being in the space that is used the most and where the majority of the academic work will happen. There is psychology in this choice. As a green-blue color, it invokes the relaxation from the green and feelings of contentment, spaciousness, and comfort from the blue. Blue is also known to reduce body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse rate.
What does blood pressure have to do with learning? Quite a lot. It doesn't matter if you are neurodiverse or neurotypical, you need to be in the right space for learning to be at its easiest. Does that mean that you can't learn in the middle of a Boston construction site during morning rush hour traffic? No. It just means that you are much more likely to experience a positive and easier learning experience in our primary academic room.
This is amplified further when we move to our Secondary Academic Room. This room is Breezy Blue. This room is smaller than the primary academic room and generally used by choice during academic times or specifically for presentations and special projects. In dropping the green tones, this room feels calmer and quieter while still retaining the brightness and spaciousness. This room is also used for parent meetings and visitors. We have used the Breezy Blue color in those spaces where we specifically invite outside adults in. While they may tour the other rooms, we try to keep our kids spaces their own so they feel comfortable being their authentic selves.
Each of our pods has a Quiet Room that is Lavender Memory. Purples are associated with balance, creativity, and magic. The purpose of our quiet room is the consistent availability of a space where the expectation is people will be doing something with minimal noise and motion. It is the room where half of the square footage is dedicated to ultra soft cozy seating and our sensory swings. Some of our kids consistently choose to do academic work in the space because it is how they work best. Some of our kids just visit when they need a "break" from the hustle and bustle.
Our Common Space is different in each of our pods. On one side it is our kitchen/dining space and on the other side it is our library of books, games, puzzles, and outdoor toys. Our common space is Misty Isle. This color would be primarily described as in the green family and should be soothing and linked to positive emotions. While the kids eat and drink in all the spaces, the kitchen is one of the places they come together casually. Funny enough, I think they have played more games in the kitchen than eaten meals there.
Do I think that the psychology of color has actually mattered? Yes. We see it every time someone comes through the doors. Adults and children alike, relax, smile, and look more at ease. We invite you to visit and put it to the test. Let us know what you think.
Tucking these three questions in as it seems to make sense while we are talking about paint.
What kind of paint did you use?
We used Behr paint from Home Depot in Satin finish. The paint is from their Behr Premium Plus (or entry-level) line. All walls got 2 coats, no primer needed. In general we used a gallon of paint per room, some slightly more some slightly less.
You said the space is "visually quiet". What does that mean and what did you do?
Visually quiet means to us that as you are looking around the space:
There is nothing of a dramatically different color pallette. We accented in creams, navy, and grey.
Color that can't be avoided, like books and games, are stored behind doors or out of the direct learning space in the library area
Supplies and furniture had follow the color scheme too. This was noticeably violated when we hung the tv's that are used for presentations and connecting virtually. So we bought beautiful covers for them. The difference is pronounced.
Do you really have nothing of color up?
No. We do have some things that could be considered "visually distracting". The kids have a wonderful display of everyone's birthday for the year. They love getting a new student in the pod and being able to add their birthday to the display. The kids did some pixel art with neon post-its. Those are definitely distracting. We have also decorated for every holiday that has come to pass. Some of that got awfully bright and distracting.
However, what all of these things have in common is a big fundamental difference. The kids feel personal and positive ownership of these items. So they give a feeling of belonging and inclusiveness. It doesn't remove them as visual distractions, but it does balance it with those positive feelings.
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