Olfactory Design: The Invisible Shaping of Spaces Through Scent
Olfactory design is an emerging field that studies how scents define spaces and experiences. The sense of smell processes odors through the olfactory bulb, which connects to memory and emotion centers in the brain. Historically, indoor spaces have shifted from richly scented environments to nearly odorless ones, influenced by modern hygiene and the white cube aesthetic. Brands like Guerlain and Coty pioneered scented packaging, while architects such as Bruno Taut and Franz Hoffmann created the Glaspavillon in 1914, linking perfume bottles to architectural form. Artists like Olafur Eliasson and the Diller Scofidio studio have used water and humidity in installations like 'Blur Building' (2002) to engage olfactory perception. The article traces the evolution of olfactory culture from 19th-century glassware to contemporary art, emphasizing how scent design now encompasses packaging, interior spaces, and artistic installations.
Key facts
- Olfactory design studies how scents shape spaces and experiences.
- The olfactory bulb processes odors and connects to memory and emotion centers.
- Modern spaces have become nearly odorless, influenced by the white cube aesthetic.
- Guerlain's 'flacon aux abeilles' was created in 1853 by Pochet & du Courval.
- René Jules Lalique worked for François Coty in the early 20th century.
- The Glaspavillon by Bruno Taut and Franz Hoffmann was built in 1914 for the Deutscher Werkbund exhibition in Cologne.
- Olafur Eliasson's 'The mediated motion' (2001) at Kunsthaus Bregenz used water, light, and wind.
- Diller Scofidio's 'Blur Building' (2002) at Swiss Expo pumped lake water through 35,000 nozzles to create a mist.
- Olfactory design includes perfume packaging, interior spaces, and art installations.
- The article discusses the historical shift from scented to odorless interiors.
Entities
Artists
- Olafur Eliasson
- Günther Vogt
- René Jules Lalique
- Bruno Taut
- Franz Hoffmann
- Peter Zumthor
- Diller Scofidio
Institutions
- Guerlain
- Coty
- Pochet & du Courval
- Deutscher Werkbund
- Kunsthaus Bregenz
- Fondation Beyeler
- Swiss Expo
Locations
- Cologne
- Germany
- Bregenz
- Austria
- Neuchâtel
- Switzerland
- Milan
- Italy
- Basel
- Riehen