Multisensory Floral Clock: Enhanced Multisensory Timekeeping with Technological Design

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in biophilic design and its beneficial effects on human well-being. This article explores the concept of biophilic multisensory timekeeping design through the creation of a Multisensory Floral Clock. Inspired by Carl Linnaeus’s 18th-century floral clock, this innovative project integrates visual and olfactory elements to provide a calming and immersive timekeeping experience. Each hour is represented by a mechanical flower that opens and releases a corresponding scents, aligned with natural patterns of blooming. The design leverages biophilic principles and historical and contemporary multisensory timekeeping practices, such as Chinese and Japanese incense clocks, to enhance the experience of everyday life. This article focuses on presenting the design and conceptual framework, discussing the benefits of biophilic design/art, the challenges of floral scents integration, and the potential impact on emotional, cognitive, and physiological well-being. This article primarily explores whether the Multisensory Floral Clock can reduce the stress associated with conventional timekeeping by offering a more engaging and nature-connected experience, with pilot testing and audience feedback to be conducted in future studies.