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Abstract
In the midst of the COVID-19 public health emergency, a mental health crisis emerged for college students. Empirical evidence demonstrates the benefits of nature experiences for mental health. However, most research focuses on the visual and auditory benefits of nature. Emerging studies suggest natural smells may maximize the healing powers of nature for people. In spite of its ubiquitous presence, smell remains one of the least understood senses and there is a need to broaden research on how natural smells affect people’s health and well-being. Landscape architects may be able to create more immersive and engaging spaces by intentionally incorporating smell into design. This paper will focus on the relationship between smell and mood in a campus landscape environment using virtual reality.