Jiaqi Li

Introduction: Color preference research has mainly focused on isolated color samples, whereas architectural color is experienced within spatial and functional contexts. This study examined whether abstract hue preference remains stable when comparable chromatic conditions are evaluated in a makerspace-like interior. Methods: A three-stage design was used. Experiment 1 established baseline preferences for ten Munsell hues under D65 illumination. Experiment 2 embedded hue and saturation manipulations into a simulated makerspace and collected Preference and Comfort ratings together with eye-tracking and baseline-normalized pupillometric data under luminance control. Experiment 3 tested the stability of the findings through an online replication and a multi-viewpoint validation. Results: Preference orderings observed for isolated samples did not remain stable in the spatial context. Cooler or moderately chromatic conditions were generally rated more positively than vivid warm treatments. Saturation effects were non-monotonic, with moderate conditions outperforming the most intense treatment. Visually intense conditions attracted attention without producing more favorable evaluations, and pupillometric differences varied systematically across conditions. Discussion: These findings suggest that environmental color evaluation in cognitively demanding settings is better understood as context-sensitive spatial appraisal rather than as a direct extension of abstract hue liking.