Large spaces such as malls, atriums, hotel lobbies and Grade A office lobbies need scent delivered through the building’s air-conditioning, usually by a cold-air diffuser connected to the air-handling unit. Standalone units cannot fill the volume of air evenly: they create hot spots of strong scent near the machine and nothing elsewhere. ACMV integration spreads fragrance evenly, at a lower level, with no visible hardware.
Why large spaces are hard to scent
- Volume. A double-height lobby or a multi-storey atrium holds many times the air its floor area suggests.
- Air changes. Large commercial systems replace air frequently, removing scent quickly.
- Doors and openings. In Singapore, hot, humid air enters at every entrance, and scent behaves differently there.
- Stratification. Air at different heights moves differently, so scent released at floor level may never reach upper levels, or vice versa.
- Crowds. Occupancy changes through the day, and so does how scent is perceived.
How ACMV-integrated scenting works
A cold-air diffuser is connected to the air-handling unit (AHU) or to ductwork serving the space. Fragrance enters the conditioned air and is carried to every diffuser grille that system feeds. Output is scheduled with opening hours and set low, because the whole volume is scented evenly. Entrances and zones with different needs are calibrated separately. See our HVAC and ACMV scent diffusion page.
Singapore building types
- Malls and atriums. Usually scented by the landlord in common areas, with tenants scenting their own units.
- Hotel lobbies. Often double-height with constant door traffic. See our hotel scent marketing page.
- Grade A office lobbies and lift halls. First impression for every tenant and visitor. See our corporate real estate page.
- Showrooms and event halls. High ceilings and changing use.
Challenges retailers and landlords face
- Getting approval to connect to central systems in multi-tenant buildings.
- Keeping tenant scents from clashing with common-area scent.
- Avoiding food courts and dining areas.
- Keeping levels consistent as occupancy changes.
- Staying within indoor air quality targets, such as those in SS 554, by keeping levels low.
Our fragrances are created by drom and formulated within the IFRA Standards for cold-air diffusion. For the full range of equipment, see our commercial scent systems.
Frequently asked questions
How do you scent a large space?
Usually with a cold-air diffuser connected to the air-handling system, calibrated by zone and schedule.
Can several standalone diffusers do the job?
Sometimes in medium spaces, but in large volumes they tend to create uneven hot spots and visible clutter.
Do we need landlord approval?
In multi-tenant buildings, connecting to central ACMV usually does. We prepare the technical information building teams ask for.
Further reading: HVAC systems on Wikipedia.
