work begins in singapore at moshe safdie's jewel airport expansion

construction work is underway at singapore’s changi airport, where moshe safdie’s eponymous firm has been selected to complete the design of a striking new addition to the site. titled ‘project jewel’, the development will transform the city-state’s main air hub into a public gathering space replete with gardens, retail outlets and entertainment facilities.

all images courtesy of jewel changi airport development

strategically located at the heart of the existing plan, the 134,000 square meter project has been conceived as a destination in its own right, boosting singapore’s appeal as a welcoming stopover location. to ensure a seamless flow of movement for passengers and visitors, ‘jewel’ will be connected to changi’s terminal 1 through its expanded arrival hall, and linked to terminals 2 and 3 via pedestrian bridges.

a 40 meter-tall waterfall cascades from a central oculus positioned in the roof canopy

contained beneath a soaring glazed dome, the scheme is organized around a 40 meter-tall waterfall that cascades from a central oculus positioned at the top of the vaulted roof canopy. this feature, named the ‘rain vortex’, is surrounded by an indoor landscape of vegetation, with a walking trail – referred to as the ‘forest valley’ – traversing the site. recalling the tradition of metropolitan centers with great parks, the vegetation associated with safdie’s design is continued externally, with the approach to the airport lined with large canopy trees and lush greenery.

the development will transform the city-state’s main air hub into a public gathering space

‘this project redefines and reinvents what airports are all about. the new paradigm represented by jewel changi airport is to create a diverse and meaningful meeting place that serves as a gateway to the city and country, complementing commerce and services with attractions and gardens for passengers, airport employees, and the city at large,’ explained architect moshe safdie.

‘our goal was to bring together the duality of a vibrant marketplace and a great urban park side-by-side in a singular and immersive experience. the component of the traditional mall is combined with the experience of nature, culture, education, and recreation, aiming to provide an uplifting experience. by drawing both visitors and local residents alike, we aim to create a place where the people of singapore interact with the people of the world.’

the 134,000 square meter project has been conceived as a destination in its own right

the building’s curved geometry creates a natural location for the ‘rain vortex’ to form at the center of the plan. this distinctive shape also provides inherent structural strength to the glass and steel dome façade, allowing the framework to remain delicate in the tradition of glass conservatories. at night, the waterfall will become the backdrop for a light and sound show, visible from the dining terraces that face into the garden center. rainwater will be funneled into the waterfall and harvested for reuse.

at the uppermost level of the plan, a roof garden, known as the ‘canopy park’, has a series of attractions designed in conjunction with PWP landscape architecture, the project’s landscape consultants. below, the suspended roof arches over the covered atrium, which is connected at multiple levels to the surrounding retail floors. with work already underway, construction of ‘project jewel’ is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.

level 5 canopy park plan

section through retail and gardens

project info:

project name: jewel changi airport
client: jewel changi airport trustee pte ltd
location: changi airport, singapore
building area: 134,000 sqm
program: airport operations, indoor gardens, leisure attractions, retail offerings, hotel facilities
design architect: safdie architects
project design: moshe safdie
project principals: jaron lubin, charu kokate, greg reaves
design team: david foxe, seunghyun kim, benjy lee, dan lee, reihaneh ramezany, laura rushfeldt, isaac safdie, damon sidel, temple simpson, andrew tulen
executive architect: RSP architects planners & engineers pte ltd
landscape design: PWP landscape architecture
executive landscape architect: ICN international singapore
structure: RSP architects planners & engineers pte ltd
façades: buro happold
engineering ESD: atelier ten
MEP: mott macdonald
signage/wayfinding: pentagram and entro communications
retail interiors: benoy
water feature: WET design
lighting: lighting planners associates

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