Some of the world’s most iconic buildings are white and there’s a reason for that. Well, many reasons actually. It all depends on who you ask.

Most architects use white to reflect the purity of their design. With no colors to distract, lines and edges are that much more prominent. By Using white, their design can support itself. To a similar effect, it can accentuate a certain structure’s feature, like landscaping. Other architects use white liberally because it’s simple. Clean and sharp are two design tenets in Modernism, and there’s no better way to uphold them than by avoiding color. It can take any gargantuan structure and make it seem manageable, approachable.

White can evoke many different connotations. When used for interiors, it can give off a scientific or innovative vibe (a la the Apple Store). When used for exteriors, it has a municipal or pragmatic sentiment. RealClearLife has rounded up some examples of both below.

 

Private Home

Valencia, Spain

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

(Fran Silvestre Arquitectos)

 

 

 

Apartment Complex

Grandola, Portugal

Montenegro Architects Ltd.

 

 

Private Home

Madrid, Spain

Dahl + GHG Architects

 

 

Corporate Headquarters

Osnabruck, Germany

3deluxe

 

 

Private Home

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Salworks

 

Church Extension

Duisberg, Germany

ASTOC Architects and Planners, Cologne

 

 

Private Home

Alcacer do Sal, Portugal

ARX Arquitectos

 

 

Public Library

Anzin, France

Dominique Coulon & Associés

 

 

Apartment Building

Porto, Portugal

dEMM arquitectura

 

 

Private Home

Alicante, Spain

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

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