Competing in the global race of fast-expanding luxury air travel, Changi Airport's new Jewel complex is set to become an iconic landmark in modern travel, and potentially a destination in its own right. Designed by a consortium of architects led by world-renowned Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, the team constructed the mixed-use development with landscape architect firm Peter Walker & Partners.
The concept for Jewel’s design represents the juxtaposition of a park and marketplace. The rare design is a place where nature and travel come together to form a central hub of indoor activity with an outdoor aesthetic.
The magnificent hub connects the airport's three main terminals by foot. A key feature of the Jewel is the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall that stretches over seven floors. The Rain Vortex is set amongst a lush indoor garden where the Jewel’s Canopy Park and Forest Valley are filled with greenery and integrated with a variety of offerings including play areas, gardens and dining outlets.
Centre stage in innovation and vision is the standout structural glass dome. Kingspan Light + Air partnered with iDas Technology to create a dome-shaped façade made of glass and steel. The design structure is made up of 105 Kingspan Lumera ventilation windows. To create a distinctive design the glass windows were produced in two shapes: the building comprises of 34 triangular shaped ventilation windows and 71 rectangular shaped ventilation windows to generate character. The remarkable construction provides visitors with a pleasant environment and an advanced heat and smoke ventilation system, which guarantees a fire safe environment.
In maximising the presence of the Jewel, visitors can observe the magnificent features from ground level while air-travellers can admire the Jewel from Singapore airspace as they peer out the aeroplane window.