The Venture – June 2018

wondering what possibly he

could have been thinking the

night before, and numerous

home sales have occurred

as the result of a single

chocolate chip cookie in the

oven. Builders, architects

and homemakers have long

understood the importance of

eliminating unwanted odors,

but today they’re discovering

the importance of their

facilitation, if not cultivation.

For example, in designing

a movie theatre, is there

any reason not to arrange

for the flow of the scent

of buttered popcorn to

delicately permeate the air?

Why shouldn’t a home’s

closet be lined with cedar,

or a gentleman’s study have

walls covered by leather

tiles? Builders and designers

have long given thought to

the other four senses when

creating living space. In

making long-term decisions

regarding the design of

interior spaces, it’s worth

recognising that scent has

the potential to be one of

the defining elements of a

building’s character. It should

also be noted that such

decisions made now might

well affect the memories of

generations yet to come.

Helen Keller once made a

compelling observation that

illustrates a universal human

experience: “Smell is a potent

wizard that transports you

across thousands of miles and

all the years you have lived.”

In light of this truth, perhaps

the time has come to

consciously and creatively

consider the sense of smell in

both design and decoration

as a means of enhancing the

collective human experience.

Information sourced

from Macalester

Architects today have begun to

realise what real estate agents

have employed to close many

a sale: scent affects decision

making.

June 2018 | VENTURE Collaboration | 59