Hundertwasser also suggests that the opposite colors can symbolize contrasts among coal, incineration, ashes, light, and darkness. Multicolored enameled ceramic pieces seen around windows and the smokestack represent swirling pieces of garbage and are placed on the exterior to give people outside an idea about what is going on inside the plant. The irregular checkerboard pattern is the main motif of the Spittelau Heating Plant and represents the struggle against a uniform grid system in architecture. Blue symbolizes the sky, clean air, and clean water. Yellow represents fire.
Gold is symbolic of the future with humankind in peace and harmony with nature.