In 2019, Changi Airport was elected by the World Airport Awards as the world's best airport for the ninth year in a row, a record for an airport. This 135 700 m² glass building is located at the east of Singapore. You may have seen the picture of this 40-meter-tall Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall. It is the centrepiece of Jewel Changi, a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex on the landside of the airport and linked to three of its passenger terminals.

Changi’s construction history

The construction plan began in Changi in June 1975 and Changi’s airport is still in permanent change.

Indeed, the Singapore Changi Airport had a development policy of always building years ahead of demand to help to avoid congestion problems common in major airports and maintain high service standards.

Plans for Terminal 3 were reviewed, resulting in a new design concept far from the very utilitarian design of the first two terminals. Topped by a unique roof feature designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the expansion construction started in 1999 and finished in 2006.

And finally on October 2017, terminal 4 opened. It’s design and concept are the result of feedback received from passengers and have won already many awards.

source:  metro news

Here is an exhaustive list to explain why you will pray for your plane to take off late:

- There is a free movie theater playing the last blockbuster 24/7.

- You can find the country’s biggest indoor slide and it is not just for kids !

- You can take a dip in the world only airport outdoor pool

- You can experience free express hand massages and free fragrance consultation.

- You can take a nap in the Snooze Lounge (Changi has been voted the world’s best airport to sleep) that is surrounded by the Sanctuary Garden

- You can take photos and compete with other passengers in game thanks to the Social Tree

Source : Live and let’s fly

Did you know ?

- The airport is entirely carpeted because it’s luxurious but also it absorbs  sounds so passengers feel relaxed.

- The ceiling is using is using intelligent lighting which controls the amount of natural light entering the building.

- Concept store like whiskey tasting housethat has 100 different whiskey available for tasting. Many spirits brand decided to launch limited special edition specifically for this airport because they have high end consumers passing through all day but also a lot of different nationalities.

- There are 5 story gardens (called Forest Valley) with more than 200 plant species that need work from 10 plant specialists and 150 gardeners who work 24/7 to ensure excellent standard. As Moshe Safdie said : « more than any other great city in the world, Singapore is truly a city in nature » this is the reason why « Jewel combines two environments, an intense marketplace and a paradise garden, to dramatically assert the idea of the airport as an uplifting and vibrant urban center. »

Who designed this architectural jewel ?

The design architects is Multi-award-winning architect Moshe Safdie. He has explored the essential principles of socially responsible design with a distinct visual language. His architectural style includes the use of bold shapes contrasted against integrated green spaces in large-scale urban projects. He wanted the airport to become a destination by itself.

Sources :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE2KoqyG6zM

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/moshe-safdie-singapores-jewel-changi-airport

https://www.lifestyleasia.com/sg/culture/architecture/moshe-safdie-the-architect-changing-the-face-of-singapores-skyline/