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This paper attempts to make a review of reasons for the use of colour, bringing together the guidelines for the analysis of colour in architectural composition and analysing the use of colour in the new Vilnius architecture during the first years of the 21st century. The overview of colour usage in Vilnius architecture was based on the methodical scheme proposed by I. Araujo. As far as the relation between colour and architecture is concerned, he suggests employment of the following closely intertwined components: volume and surface, colour and light. Light in the Araujo's scheme is not solely a physical or metaphysical factor; it is an equivalent compositional constituent part in terms of colour. The foregoing allows including the stages of achromatic modern architecture into the research of chromatic composition. Having carried out an overview of colour usage in today's architecture of Vilnius, it must be stated that the peculiarities functioning in the city are not based on holistic or global principles. Different chromatic conceptions are simultaneously applied in the city. One of them pursues a contemporary achromatic line in architecture. The other conception makes an attempt at continuing the tradition of colour usage in architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]