Chromacosm Commemorates the Most Extensive Color System Globally

Famed architect and visionary Suchi Reddy, along with the historic Indian brand Asian Paints, just unveiled Chromacosm, a groundbreaking architectural color system boasting an impressive palette of over 5,300 distinct shades. Reddy infused her creative flair and unique aesthetic into the Asian Paints installation at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in Mumbai, India. The setup creates an enchanting atmosphere, making visitors feel tiny amidst a vibrant sea of colors. As if wandering through a lush field, attendees navigate tall, colorful cylinders that showcase an array of hues. Drawing inspiration from ancient Tantric art and the science of light, Reddy envisions each color as a three-dimensional experience, shaped by the interplay of light, shadow, and space.

With its towering and captivating design, this exhibit features over 2,000 shades from the Chromacosm collection, guiding visitors through a captivating journey of colors and gradients that reveal and conceal various tones from different perspectives. The multitude of black tubes creates a visually satisfying experience, with white bands creating an optical illusion of planes that seem to float above the ground. These regular yet expansive lines maintain a sense of unity throughout the display, balancing the vibrant chaos of colors.

The colorful tops of the tubes showcase a dazzling variety of shades, inspired by the rich tapestry of Indian culture. “It’s only natural that the world’s largest color library originates from India,” Reddy shares. “This project is a tribute to our heritage while pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in design.” Asian Paints spent over a decade curating colors that reflect India's rich traditions, merging modern technology with historical context. The Chromacosm library categorizes its 5,300 hues by tone and intensity, enabling an in-depth exploration of color families and combinations. Drawing from ancient practices like Ajrakh and Kalamkari, this collection marries centuries of artisanal mastery with contemporary advancements in color theory.