Project · 01
Changi Airport Singapore
Building the world's first airport scent identity
Building the world's first airport scent identity
Changi Airport Singapore is not simply an airport — it is an experience that sets the standard for what aviation spaces can aspire to be. The world's most awarded international gateway, welcoming tens of millions of passengers annually, it demanded a scent identity commensurate with its global reputation.
The brief was both ambitious and precise: design an olfactory programme that would make the terminal feel extraordinary to passengers from the first moment of arrival — one that would reduce travel anxiety, encourage exploration of retail and dining zones, and encode Changi in the memory of every guest who passed through.
LASCENTING was appointed as the official scent curator and designer — the first such designation in the airport's history. The scope spanned arrivals halls, departure lounges, retail concourses, and VIP facilities, with passenger flows exceeding 3,000 per hour across the diffusion zones.
"A scent that must feel both global and Singaporean — serene and welcoming, yet unmistakably world-class."
We developed 'Orchid Tea' — a bespoke composition built around three emotional pillars: the serene florality of the Singapore national flower, the calm warmth of green and white tea, and a lift of fresh citrus that evokes departure, possibility, and open skies.
The formula was engineered to perform consistently across high-traffic public zones — maintaining presence without ever becoming assertive, and shifting subtly across different terminal areas to reflect their distinct emotional purposes.
The distilled essence of Changi's olfactory identity became a retail ecosystem in its own right — candles, diffusers, oils, hand sanitisers, and a collaborative range with Mandai Wildlife. Beyond the terminal air, a 15–20% increase in retail dwell time translated directly into lifted concession and F&B revenues.
A signature olfactory identity requires more than ambient diffusion. We designed a complete fragrance ecosystem that extended the Orchid Tea experience across every sensory touchpoint within the terminal environment.
Precision cold-air nebulization across HVAC and standalone sculptural units — calibrated by zone, time of day, and passenger density.
Bespoke Orchid Tea candles for VIP lounges, premium retail touchpoints, and gifting experiences.
Artisanal signature oils for hospitality suites, spa facilities, and exclusive traveller gifting collections.
Scented hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the terminal — function transformed into a branded sensory moment.
A bespoke nature-inspired sub-range developed in collaboration with Mandai Wildlife Reserve — weaving Singapore's biodiversity heritage into the traveller experience.
"Changi is not just a destination — it is a feeling. Our work was to ensure that feeling began the moment you crossed the threshold."
Aaliyah Hamdoon · Founder, LASCENTING