Enter the lobby of a newly completed Sydney office tower or a Melbourne mixed-use precinct, and you’ll notice the details developers have obsessed over: the stone selection in the foyer, the lighting temperature, the acoustic treatment, the way natural light moves through the atrium. What you may not consciously register, but absolutely feel, is the scent.

Across Australia’s commercial property sector, signature scenting has quietly moved from a boutique hospitality indulgence to a core part of how REITs, developers and asset managers differentiate their portfolios. As tenant expectations rise and the line between “office” and “experience” continues to blur, scent has become one of the few sensory tools left that hasn’t been fully explored, until now.

A Trend Reshaping Asset Strategy

The commercial real estate industry has spent the last decade competing on amenity. End-of-trip facilities, wellness floors, curated F&B, biophilic design. These investments have raised the baseline for what tenants expect from premium-grade buildings. But amenity alone is becoming table stakes. Forward-thinking landlords and precinct developers are now asking a sharper question: what does our building feel like, and how do we make that feeling consistent, repeatable and ownable?

Scent answers this in a way few other tools can. It’s the fastest sense to reach the brain’s emotional centre, it bypasses conscious filtering, and unlike a lobby renovation, it can be installed, refined and rolled out across a portfolio with relative speed. For asset owners managing multiple buildings or precincts, a signature scent becomes a piece of brand architecture, every bit as deliberate as wayfinding or a fit-out palette.

This is precisely why we’re seeing some of Australia’s most significant property developments, from net zero towers to heritage-led CBD precincts, treat scent as a strategic decision rather than an afterthought.

What a Signature Scent Actually Does for a Commercial Asset

For decision makers evaluating whether scent strategy belongs in a capital or operating budget, the benefits tend to fall into a few clear categories.

It shapes first impressions before a single word is spoken. A prospective tenant, investor or visitor forms an impression of a building within seconds of entering. A considered fragrance in the lobby and lift landings reinforces the quality cues already built into the architecture and finishes, before anyone has read a brochure or sat through a leasing pitch.

It builds brand recognition across a portfolio. For REITs and developers managing several assets under one banner, a consistent signature scent creates an instantly recognisable thread between properties, much like a logo or colour palette, but one that’s experienced rather than seen.

It supports tenant wellbeing and productivity. Workplace research consistently shows that ambient scent can influence mood, focus and stress levels. For asset owners under pressure to justify office attendance and tenant retention, an environment that feels considered and calming is a genuine point of difference.

It translates into tangible retail. A signature scent developed for a precinct’s common areas can extend into branded candles, room sprays or retail products, giving developers a tenant gifting tool and an additional touchpoint for community building.

It’s measurable and controllable. Unlike a renovation, scent strategy can be diffused precisely where it has the greatest impact, in arrival points, lift lobbies and common thoroughfares, and adjusted as a brand or building identity evolves.

Scent in Action: Australia’s Leading Precincts and Developers

Air Aroma has worked alongside many of Australia’s most ambitious property and workplace developers to translate brand identity into fragrance. A few examples illustrate just how varied, and how deliberate, this work has become.

At VicX Tower in North Sydney, a 35-floor net zero carbon building rising above the new Victoria Cross metro station, the signature scent was designed to be fresh and vibrant, echoing the building’s emphasis on wellbeing, community and connection to the outdoors. It’s diffused efficiently through the main lobby and lift landings, large common areas where a consistent first impression matters most.

Stockland’s M_Park precinct took a different approach, developing a signature scent to reflect brand values from the outset, installed first in the vision centre ahead of opening, then extended into common areas, and eventually produced into candles for corporate gifting. It’s a clear example of scent strategy planned in parallel with a development, rather than retrofitted once doors open.

In Melbourne, Queen & Collins reimagined a trio of gold-rush era buildings, the Gothic Bank, the Safe Deposit Building and the former Stock Exchange, into a city-within-a-city precinct. Its bespoke scent, built around bold citrus, woods and leather, was composed to connect directly to the gothic Venetian architecture and the unconventional character of the space.

Similarly, Dexus 360 in Melbourne’s CBD called for restraint. Crafted with the 360 Collins brand team, the scent layers leather, sandalwood and lilac into something understated yet distinctive, reinforcing a sense of quiet sophistication for tenants and visitors entering one of the city’s most refined addresses.

At 25 Martin Place, Air Aroma supplies an ambient scent through arrival foyers and public thoroughfares that nods to the precinct’s Harry Seidler heritage and its contemporary reimagining by Woods Bagot, a fragrance designed to feel as considered as the architecture itself.

In the coworking and flexible workspace category, scent has become a particularly powerful tool for brand consistency across multiple sites. Hub Australia and Work Club both partnered with Air Aroma to create signature scents diffused nationally across their locations, ensuring members experience the same recognisable atmosphere whether they’re in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. The Commons took a biophilic approach, with notes of fern, labdanum, galbanum, jasmine and mint designed to evoke calm and creativity across its community-focused spaces.

Hickory’s Market Lane development reimagined what an office of the future could feel like, translating that vision into an organic, lush fragrance of silver needle, sage, citrus and textured woods. And at 200 George Street, the scent was built to immerse visitors in the rich cultural history of the site, a complex blend of cedarwood, pink pepper and a touch of leather accord befitting one of Sydney CBD’s premium grade addresses.

At the development and portfolio level, scent strategy scales even further. Crown Group, one of Australia’s leading property firms, worked with Air Aroma on a signature scent designed to echo the iconic and innovative architecture across its luxury apartment and hotel developments. GURNER Group, known for ultra-luxury projects across the country, diffuses a signature scent of fresh green fig leaves, earthy carrot seed, cedar and sandalwood throughout the common areas of its exclusive developments, a fragrance built to feel as crafted as the buildings themselves.

Why This Matters for REITs Right Now

Australia’s commercial property sector is in a period of genuine recalibration. Hybrid work has changed what tenants expect from an office. Capital is being directed toward assets that can prove differentiation, not just location and grade. And ESG and wellbeing credentials, once a nice-to-have, are now scrutinised by tenants and investors alike.

In this environment, scent strategy offers something rare: a relatively low capital, high impact lever that touches brand, tenant experience and wellbeing all at once. It’s why precincts as varied as a net zero tower in North Sydney and a heritage gold-rush precinct in Melbourne have arrived at the same conclusion, that how a building smells is no longer incidental to how it performs.

For asset owners, developers and workplace operators evaluating where to invest next in tenant experience, signature scenting deserves a place on that list.

Partner With Air Aroma

Air Aroma has spent over two decades developing bespoke scent strategies for some of Australia’s most significant commercial, residential and workplace developments. From signature scent creation through to Ecoscent diffusion systems designed for large-scale common areas, lift lobbies and multi-site portfolios, our team works closely with developers, REITs and asset managers to translate brand identity into fragrance.

To discuss a signature scent strategy for your portfolio, get in touch with our team.

FAQs

Why are commercial property developers investing in scent strategy?
Scent creates an immediate, emotional first impression that reinforces a building’s architecture, brand and quality before a tenant or visitor has read any signage. For REITs managing multiple assets, a signature scent also builds a consistent, recognisable identity across an entire portfolio.

Where is signature scent typically diffused in commercial buildings?
Most developments diffuse scent through high-traffic arrival points, including main lobbies, lift landings and common thoroughfares, where first impressions are formed and where the impact is most consistently felt by tenants and visitors.

Can scent be developed to match a building’s brand or architecture?
Yes. A bespoke signature scent is typically composed in collaboration with a building or precinct’s brand and design team, drawing on architectural heritage, materiality or brand values to create a fragrance that feels intentional rather than generic.

Does scent strategy work for multi-site portfolios?
It’s particularly effective at portfolio scale. A consistent signature scent across multiple buildings or locations functions similarly to a logo or colour palette, helping tenants and visitors recognise a brand the moment they walk in, regardless of which site they’re at.

Can a building’s signature scent be extended beyond ambient diffusion?
Yes. Many developers extend their signature scent into branded products such as candles or room sprays, which are commonly used for tenant gifting, vision centre experiences or community building initiatives ahead of a building’s opening.

The post Why Australia’s Leading REITs Are Investing in Scent Strategy appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

Vetiver Grass

The vetiver scent, derived from the roots of a perennial grass native primarily to India and grown in tropical climates such as Haiti and Indonesia, has a long and celebrated history in the world of fragrance. The fragrance itself is distilled in a process that first involves the aging of vetiver roots. The roots are then soaked in water until a highly concentrated oil is released and skimmed from the surface. This fragrant oil can then be utilised for its many properties. The vetiver plant resides within the same family as other aromatic grasses also used for essential oils, including the very popular lemongrass and citronella plants.

What is Vetiver Oil used for?

While used in its cultivation for the production of woven goods, vetiver’s core consumption is in its oil state. Known for its deep, earthy aroma, vetiver oil has been used for centuries in perfumery and aromatherapy.

In fragrance, vetiver is traditionally used in men’s cologne. The verdant, woody, and raw note tends to be considered more on the masculine end of the spectrum. However, its use is more widespread than would be assumed. As a base note, vetiver is an extremely popular addition to many western perfumes due to its fixative properties. Meaning, when incorporated into a blend, vetiver can help to make scents last longer to the nose. Overall, the scent is extremely versatile, lending a sophisticated and comforting dimension to any blend.

Recognised for its grounding and calming properties, vetiver has also been known to be utilised in the practice of aromatherapy. According to studies done on the subject, inhalation can improve alertness, reduce mental fatigue, and feelings of anxiety. Studies have also gone so far to show that when diffused during sleep, vetiver may help breathing issues by increasing the quality of one’s exhalation and improving overall quality of sleep.

Air Aroma’s Vetiver Rain Fragrance

Green, Wet, Earthy, Fresh, Inviting

Haitian Vetiver, Sandalwood, Violet Leaf, Iris Root, Orange Flower, Orange, Bergamot, Marine Air, Grapefruit

An earth ritual in the depth of forest solitude, following an undeniable call of the wild. Rooting and trusting the wise voice of nature while creating ceremony in a stone structure embossed with age. The wet essence of earthy veracity permeates thick air, offering harmonious answers to curious questions. With feet planted in the soil, a place to house the wild nature and enchantments of the soul.

With its fresh, revitalising output, Vetiver Rain is a luxurious aroma oil utilised popularly in spa areas, fitness and wellness, and spring or summer seasonal scenting.

Vetiver scent is a unique and sophisticated fragrance for fans of earthy, green aromas and those inspired by the scents of Spring. Explore the invigorating splendor of vetiver in Air Aroma’s Vetiver Rain scent, or design a custom signature scent to take advantage of the versatile properties this scent has to offer.

The post Vetiver: An Earthy Scent of Springtime appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

Imagine walking into a luxurious hotel lobby where a subtle, captivating aroma instantly makes you feel at ease. Or strolling through a retail store, where the scent of fresh citrus energizes and uplifts your mood. This is the power of scent marketing—an innovative strategy that leverages the profound influence of smell to enhance customer experiences and forge lasting emotional connections. By integrating carefully selected fragrances into various business environments, companies can create memorable, multisensory experiences that not only attract customers but also foster brand loyalty. Learn more below as we delve into the science and art behind scent marketing, exploring how businesses can harness this powerful tool to transform their spaces and elevate their brand presence.

Studies have found that visual recall sinks to about 50% accuracy after only three months. When it comes to scent however, humans can recall smells with 65% accuracy after a whole year.

Harnessing the Power of Scent

Savvy businesses have recognized the potential of scent marketing to influence customers’ perceptions and behaviors. The strategic use of scents can create an environment that fosters positive emotions, ultimately driving sales and brand loyalty.

Here’s how it works:

Brand Identity: Scent marketing helps businesses establish a unique brand identity. Just as logos and slogans define a brand visually, a signature scent can create a distinct olfactory brand identity. This scent becomes an integral part of the brand’s story and resonates with customers. Capella Hotels, named the number one best hotel brand in the world, is recognized by its beautiful signature scent across global locations.

Enhancing the retail environment: A carefully chosen scent can transform a shopping trip into a multisensory adventure, like in Canada Goose stores, who have implemented a signature scent reflective of the Canadian wilderness, which seamlessly blends with their interior design, music, and overall feel.

Time and place association: Scent marketing can create associations between specific scents and a brand’s products or services. The synergy of other cues like visual and audio working in tandem with the right scent create a lasting impression and sense of familiarity. Guests remember their hotel stay long after it’s over, often asking about the scent and reliving the positive memory of their experiences.

Subtle influence: One of the most remarkable aspects of scent marketing is its subtlety. Customers may not even consciously register the scent, but it can still influence their emotions and behavior.

A study by Nike revealed that customers were 84% more likely to buy shoes in a scented environment versus one that is not scented. Moreover, they were willing to pay 10-20% more in scented environments.

How to Choose the Right Scent for Your Business

At Air Aroma, our dedicated team will help guide you through the scent selection process, curating a range of high-quality fragrances that suit your style and are relevant to your business. Some things we consider together include:

What emotion would you like to evoke in your customers?

You may want to create a stimulating, bright environment where citrus would be most effective. Or, notes of suede or leather may be ideal for drawing the customer in to relax in a state of luxury, as experienced in our work with the JLR signature scent. These considerations contribute to the scent selection or signature scent design process, helping to land on scents that set the desired mood.

How would you describe your product? Who is your clientele?

Your scent logo should align with both, creating a seamless brand experience where the scent is truly reflective of your brand identity. For instance, using a rich, dark floral fragrance in a bright, clean juice bar would contrast the product and ambiance objective. The Calile Hotel scent, on the other hand, perfectly encapsulates the Aussie beach flair of Brisbane, while The Standard Hotels scents exude the vibrant, hip energy of the hospitality brand with unusual fragrance notes that spark curiosity.

Scent Marketing for Business

This is where working with a professional and trusting scent expertise comes in handy to ensure the scent matches the brand and environment. Our team will not only guide you to finding your perfect brand scent, but also provide customized diffuser settings for your space. As important as the scent is, the delivery method also matters. A gentle, subtle approach for ambient scenting is usually most effective and recommended.

Scent marketing is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance the customer experience and drive business success. By understanding the profound impact scent can have, businesses can create memorable and emotionally resonant environments that encourage longer visits, increased spending, and stronger brand loyalty. Whether you’re aiming to evoke a sense of relaxation, luxury, or excitement, the right scent can enrich how customers perceive and interact with your brand. Scent marketing proves that sometimes, it’s the things that we can’t see that leave the most lasting impression.

Contact Air Aroma to learn more about how scent marketing can transform your business.

The post What Is Scent Marketing? appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

Diffusing scents can have many purposes: encouraging relaxation, boosting energy, and increasing productivity and concentration. Whether used for personal purposes at home, diffused in a retail environment, or utilized in a workplace, certain scents can influence a person’s mood and behaviour. Read below for seven recommended scents for productivity and concentration.

Citrus & Peppermint

The most effective scents to increase productivity and concentration are peppermint and citrus scents. When inhaled, these fresh and bright scents can decrease fatigue and promote mental clarity and focus. Studies have shown that when lemon was introduced in the workplace, a significant increase in productivity was measured, reducing workplace errors, and also increasing speed in typing. Studies have also found peppermint to be an effective scent for alertness, aiding in concentration.

Try these Air Aroma scents for an energy boost:

Sunkissed

Lemongrass Tea

Mint Motion

Illuminate

Lavender & Rosemary

Other scents that are effective to promoting workflow are those that help one to relax in the midst of stressful situations. The most effectual scents to reduce stress have been found to be herbal scents, like lavender and rosemary. Not only do these scents psychologically reduce the feelings stress and anxiety with their pleasant, spa-like feel, but they can physiologically decrease the amount of the stress hormone in those who inhale. In a study where healthy subjects inhaled lavender and rosemary aromas for just five minutes, both stimulations significantly decreased measured cortisol levels in participants. While not directly affecting concentration, research links these scents to enhancing productivity through the reduction of stress.

Try these Air Aroma scents to destress and focus:

Serene

Lavender Forest

Tranquility

Read more on how to use scent in the workplace and what amenities companies are offering to attract workers back to the office.

The post 7 Scents for Focus, Productivity and Concentration appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

In recent years, people are sleeping worse than ever before. Although sleep is one of the three pillars of health, along with nutrition and movement, many people are not getting enough for their wellbeing. With higher caffeine intake, increased screen time, and external stressors, it’s no surprise that adults are having a harder time sleeping in 2023. Today, people will do almost anything to get a good night sleep. From taking melatonin or CBD, installing blackout curtains, listening to ambient sounds, or even using sleep specific apps to aid in lulling themselves to bed. Intro: aromatherapy, a natural alternative consisting of inhaling essential oil scents, that has been used for sleep aid for thousands of years. Using scents for better sleep is a tried and true method to receive an array of benefits and sleep improvement.

Nearly one third of Australian adults do not regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep they need, being the optimal seven to nine hours a night. In a study, 60 per cent said their sleep was constantly changing and irregular, while a quarter reported they regularly wake up feeling not well-rested, putting their physical and mental health at risk, according to new research. Overtime, this sleep disparity can lead to health risks as well as bleed into one’s work and personal life, potentially causing changes in productivity, mood, and memory.

Inhale Exhale: Aromatherapy for Sleep

Aromatherapy has been used for its healing properties since ancient times. Scents can be applied, inhaled, or diffused to aid with a variety of health benefits such as pain relief, stress and anxiety easement,and decreasing sleeplessness. Although not typically a sense associated with sleep, studies have shown that smell directly affects sleep. Distinct smells can promote better sleep quality, help people wake up in the morning, and even influence dreams and memory formation during rest.

People can utilize this knowledge and set themselves up for a successful night sleep by incorporating specific scents into their bedtime routine. Exposure to scents associated with calming, clarifying, or mood boosting properties can help one ease into a restful state and create a bedroom environment more conductive to falling, and staying, asleep.

Calm your Nerves: Lavender & Bergamot

The body responds in step with external pressures – when one experiences stress or strain in their life, their body reacts. For example, through increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and increased cortisol production. These changes are the exact opposite of what the body should be experiencing when winding down for sleep and can majorly contribute to sleeping problems like insomnia.

Lavender, the most studied scent in relation to sleep studies, is a natural scent that contains chemical compounds that calm the nervous system, thus counteracting stress and anxiety. Studies have found that inhaling lavender essential oils can lower heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure – all processes that increase with stress and decrease as the body naturally prepares itself for sleep. The citrus ingredient bergamot contains similar properties, helping to reduce blood pressure and heart rate when used for aromatherapy.

Clear your Head: Peppermint & Eucalyptus

Also found to positively impact sleep are the scents of Peppermint and Eucalyptus. When inhaled, these bright, herbal scents can clear one’s head of racing thoughts after a long day, a common barricade to falling asleep, and leave you in a more relaxed state. Clearing the head in a more physical way, these scents can also help to clear out congestion, which in turn can help to relieve breathing and aid in dropping off to sleep.

Balance your Mood

After a day of heightened emotions, one can find themselves struggling to level out before bed. To counteract this sensation, try using aromatherapy with Sandalwood and Cedarwood oils. These scents are known for their mood-balancing properties, calming emotions so you can unwind before bed. Specifically, these oils contain a chemical compound, cedrol, that causes a sedative effect. Cedrol also activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, better known as your “rest and digest” system.

While less studied, findings point to vetiver scents positively impacting sleep. The deep, earthly smell works similarly to its woody counterparts, slowing the mind down to a more relaxed, grounded state.

Air Aroma Scents for Successful Sleep

Air Aroma provides multiple products conducive to sleep focused aromatherapy. Spritz a few sprays of our room sprays on your pillow before bed or throughout your bedroom to create a calming sleep environment. Air Aroma offers sprays featuring:

Lavender

Peppermint

Bergamot

Sandalwood

Vetiver

If you prefer to utilize your personal diffuser for aromatherapy, Air Aroma provides a range of our carefully curated fragrances in 30ml diffusion oils.

The post Scents for Better Sleep appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

Fragrant and beautifully luminous Lavender. Flaunting an evergreen foliage and purple blossoms – the colour of royalty and elegance. A member of the mint family, Lavender has a delicate floral aroma with underlying fresh, sweet, and herbal notes. Although native to areas surrounding the Mediterranean and countries east of India, the flower is now grown and adored universally, with France the epicentre of production and growing more than 80,000kg of Lavender each year.

The harvesting of Lavender usually happens between the months of June and August. Sprigs are picked just before they blossom as the aroma is most powerful then. There are several distillation methods used to extract the essential oil, however the most common method is ‘Steam Distillation’.

Steam distillation firstly requires drying for approximately two days to remove all water from the plant. Once done, the flowers and stems are carefully placed into a tank so that the water vapour cannot find a free path. This ensures the plant is totally saturated with the essential oil. The blend of water vapour and essence cools in a coil, where it becomes liquid again. Once the water and essence separates, the scented essential oil is extracted, completing the extraction process.

Health Benefits

Used in perfumery and aromatherapy for thousands of years, the Lavender essential oil is now known to be one of the most versatile and widely used oils. This is because Lavender has shown to provide several health benefits and healing properties for the mind, body, and soul. These benefits are a result of the different chemical compounds found in the plant that bring a positive effect to the human body. Two of these compounds contained in the plant includes Flavonoids and Linalool. Flavonoids provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions while Linalool has shown to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and assist insomnia.

Lavender vs Lavandin

Lavender and Lavandin are both part of the Lavender family, however the fundamental difference between the two are the scent profiles and plant shape. The Lavandin flower displays a lilac colour with a narrow point at the end. Expressing a scent that is stronger and more pungent, the plant variation is more commonly used for its aromatic benefits. Lavender however exhibits a more compact and vibrant purple flowerhead. Voicing a scent that is more subtle, floral, and sweet, best used for its calming benefits. The differentiation of these scents is due to the amount of Camphor found in each, with Lavandin containing a much higher percentage, resulting in the stronger aroma.

Air Aroma Fragrances with Lavender

Air Aroma has a selection of wonderful fragrances available with Lavender notes – Cedar Mood, Pomelo Pulp, Serene, and Zuri. All special in their own way, releasing a beautiful scent. Contact us for guidance or to inquire about creating an exclusive signature scent.

The post The Fragrance Files: Lavender appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

Begin by taking notice of the smells around you in everyday life. Breathe in your coffee or tea before first sip, observe the crisp mint scent of your toothpaste or the sweet citrus of your daily moisturiser, and notice the odours outside like fresh cut grass, or wet leaves. By bringing an active awareness to these seemingly common scents will increase your scent association and knowledge.

Engage your scent receptors by selecting a few scents that you enjoy, and take time by using your sense of smell to smell each one individually everyday. Use several shallow sniffs rather than one long deep inhalation and neutralize your palette by smelling the skin on your wrist or hand. Strengthen your scent memory by visualising these fragrances pre and post smell. Change scents periodically to expand your scent association and ability to identify scent characteristics and flavours in coffee, wine and perfume.

Studies suggest that our sense of smell is improved after exercise. Take advantage of peak smelling capacity after hitting the gym by sampling some perfumes. It is believed that at least one sweat inducing exercise session per week has been connected to the reduced risk of smell diminishing with age.

Because our sense of smell is directly related to our perception of taste, with improved smell, the flavours we taste are enhanced. With better smell, you will notice how scent and memories are deeply embedded, as with a one whiff you can be transported to a realm of nostalgia. Since scent can impact our emotions and affect our well being, you can instantly liven spirits or create a soothing ambiance with fragrance.

The post Our Sense of Smell – Practice Makes Perfect appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

Absolutes are regarded as the purest and most aromatic form of fragrance from natural plant sources. These highly concentrated products are more fragrant than essential oils, and often portray the truest scent to the natural source. A number of different methods are used to extract fragrance that result in beautifully crafted essential oils, concretes and absolutes.

The post It’s All About The Absolutes appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

The human nose can distinguish 1 trillion scents, helping us differentiate pleasant from unpleasant, fresh from rotten, clean from dirty. Our sense of smell cannot be turned off or ignored, as we rely on it to help us navigate the world around us.

Learn more from fragrance artist/chemist Sissel Tolaas, who celebrates everything we smell – good and bad at IDEAS.TED.COM

The post How Smell Shapes Our Perception Of The World appeared first on Air Aroma Australia.

That fresh and distinctly earthy aroma after rainfall is called petrichor (petra, meaning ‘stone’, + ichor, the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology)

A combination of natural factors contribute to the petrichor essence. One factor of the fragrance is from oils exuded by certain plants during dry periods which is then absorbed by soil and rocks. The other factor is geosmin (derived from the Greek γεω- “earth” and ὀσμή “smell”). The organic compound is derived from chemical reactions between several microorganisms and bacteria found in soil and is the reason for the earthy aroma and flavor of beets and some freshwater fish. Studies have shown that humans are particularly sensitive to geosmin and can detect its scent in concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion.

During rainfall, the oils absorbed by the soil and geosmin are emitted from the wet ground and become diffused into the air, creating the truly unique and memorable aroma. The smell of petrichor resonates with all humans, and some believe it is so pleasant to our palate because historically, our ancestors must have associated rain with survival.

Due to the popularity and appreciation of this after rain scent, many perfumers have synthesized the petrichor fragrance to create a truly unique sensory experience. Air Aroma also developed their own petrichor fragrance featuring earthy top notes and patchouli evoking thoughts of fresh beginnings, with gorse bush and moss nodding to feelings of adventure and connection with nature.

With the development of synthetic fragrances, perfumers have been able to capture and recreate some of the most extraordinary fragrances. In turn, these fragrances can evoke an existing and personal connection through memory, experience or emotion.

Following petrichor, some of the most creative and unexpected scents have been synthesized and used in main stream perfumery. A few examples include Commes des Garcons 2011 Commes des Garcon use of industrial glue and brown sticky tape, The Soft Lawn Imaginary Authors feature the smell of tennis balls, and Parisienne Yves Saint Laurent has a bold undertone of vinyl.

Are you interested in creating your own unique fragrance? Contact us now.

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