By combining metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with colloidal crystals, the challenge of signal transduction in response to molecular sorption by MOF materials can be met for sensing applications. HKUST-1 (Cu(2)(BTC)(3)) is grown on a silica colloidal crystal thin film via a step-by-step technique, and the obtained MOF-containing colloidal crystal is rapidly and reversibly responsive to vapor or gas molecules adsorbed by the MOF component.