The Smellarium: An Exploration of Olfactory Architecture

Abstract

While the experience of architecture is dominated by the visual and tactile sense, the sense of smell—which has a powerful intrinsic effect on perception and phenomena—is largely ignored. The thesis investigates the manipulation of smell within designed environments to elicit emotions, memories, and reminiscences, thus fostering an authentic experience. It asks: How can scent evoke memories, familiarities or reactions to generate personal connections to architecture? The thesis employs two vehicles of design, Scents in the City and The Smellarium. Both design propositions are collective environments that interrogate contrasting methods for using scent in architecture. Through a rational approach, Scents in the City is a provocation of the Overflows in Auckland Harbour. Alternatively, through a poetic approach The Smellarium is a provocation of Scentscapes1 and the subjective experience. These propositions explore opportunities for people to smell: diversely, wholly, individually, emotionally, recreationally, therapeutically and more. Occupying Silo Park and Wynyard Quarter; the sites possess a fragrant history of the timber trade, petro-chemical storage, contaminated soil and vast surrounding sea. These designs are supported by the examination of varying methods including research, perfume explorations, material explorations, scentful models, and scentwalks. A series of Permanence, Potent and Particular precedents also interrogate the existing applications of both applied and inherent smells within built environments. By exploring the myriad qualities scent can induce, The Smellarium and Scent in the City employ scent as an architectural mechanism to produce multi-sensorial spaces. They are introductions to Olfactory Architecture. Olfactory architecture is authentic, distinct, and memorable; an experience shaped by smell, architecture and user.