Colour therapy

21 Jan 2026

Holistic medical practices date back 5000 years and include Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Ayurveda therapies of the Indian subcontinent, both of which focus on a mind-body-spirit approach to health and wellness.

In Western culture, the popularity of such practices has waxed and waned over the years due largely to scientific advances in germ theory that focused solely on the treatment of the body.

However, since the 1970s, holistic treatments have been undergoing a renaissance in mainstream medicine and while many are still regarded as pseudoscientific, overall they are gaining popularity as an adjunct to Western-style medicine.

“Our physiotherapist clients had acquired a space inside the former Browns Bay RSA building, which was undergoing refurbishment to become a new medical centre,” says Michael Cooper, director of Michael Cooper Architects.

Colours in the red spectrum, such as Resene Red Hot in the massage room, are believed to stimulate circulation and vitality, while colours in the yellow spectrum, such as Resene Hyperactive on the back wall of the gymnasium, are believed to improve mental clarity and focus.

“We were tasked with creating a Physiotherapy and Wellness Recovery Clinic, that the clients envisaged would be ‘a little bit more than some cubicles and a hallway’, and which placed a particular priority on accessibility and the holistic nature of the treatments available.”

Programmatically, the space needed to incorporate a number of physiotherapy rooms, a gymnasium, a massage room, ultrasound room and an x-ray room, as well as a staff room and reception area.

“With accessibility an important consideration we positioned the gym and rehabilitation area at the centre of the clinic, maximising connection and visibility for both staff and clients.

“Aesthetically, our aim was to eschew the traditional white and beige so often featured in medical practices. To that end, we drew inspiration from the central tenet of colour therapy, also known as chromotherapy, which states that specific colours can influence, balance and heal the physical, emotional and mental energy fields of the human body.

Warmth and vibrancy are the orders of the day in these physio rooms that sport feature walls in Resene Wild Thing (left) and Resene Limerick (right).

“We were very interested in the effect that various colours could have on the clinic’s atmosphere and how this could translate to a patient’s attitude and encourage recovery. For example: red stimulates energy, circulation and vitality; blue calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress; yellow boosts mental clarity, focus and joy; and green promotes balance, harmony and healing.”

From the red spectrum, Resene Red Hot and Drop Dead Gorgeous were chosen for feature walls in the massage room and one of the physio rooms. From the blue spectrum, Resene Wot Eva and Boogie Wonderland were chosen for the x-ray room and a physio room. From the yellow spectrum, Resene Supernova, Wild Thing and Hyperactive were chosen for the ultrasound room, a physio room and the gymnasium. From the green spectrum, Resene Limerick was chosen for the last of the physio rooms, while Resene Black White was chosen for the reception area and Resene Transmission for the staff room.

Colours that fall within the blue spectrum, such as this feature wall in Resene Boogie Wonderland, are believed to lower blood pressure and reduces stress.

“By strategically using a range of bright colours, punctuated by a natural timber finish, we were able to inject some vibrancy into the space, making it feel warm and comforting, and, importantly, a place that helps promote wellbeing and healing,” says Michael.

Builder: Colabb Build Limited
Photographer: Mark Scowen Photography

Published: 21 Jan 2026