Ruth Haines
Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex with a unique toroidal glass-and-steel façade. The complex is centred around the Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 40 metres (130 ft) high. Jewel Changi Airport's glass dome soars to a height of 37.08 metres, housing a dynamic mix of retail outlets, leisure attractions, gardens, and hotel amenities. The complex spans 10 storeys, with five above ground and five basement levels, covering a total gross floor area of 135,700 square metres (approximately 1.46 million square feet). It is a stunning architectural marvel that adds a new dimension to one of the world's leading airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height of the glass dome | 37.08m |
| Height of the waterfall | 40m |
| Number of storeys | 10 (5 above ground, 5 basement) |
| Gross floor area | 135,700 m2 (1,461,000 sq ft) |
| Number of trees and palms | 2,000+ |
| Number of shrubs | 10,000+ |
| Number of plant species | 120+ |
What You'll Learn
The Rain Vortex
The Vortex is an impressive engineering feat, with recirculated rainwater pumped to the roof to free-fall through a round hole at up to 37,850 litres (8,330 imp gal; 10,000 US gal) per minute to a basement-level pool. An acrylic funnel at the bottom prevents splashing and insulates the sound of the cascade. The waterfall's flow alternates between cascades and trickles to reduce air turbulence and prevent excess humidity in the Jewel complex.
At night, the Rain Vortex transforms into a light and sound show, with special lighting effects and music. The circular walls of the waterfall become a 360-degree stage, with shows projected onto the falling water. The waterfall changes colours frequently, providing different backdrops for photographs.
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Shiseido Forest Valley
Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex with gardens, attractions, a hotel, and about 300 retail and dining outlets. It is located before the airside of the airport, in the landside area where passengers check in for their flight, drop their bags, and get their tickets before going through passport control. Jewel Changi Airport covers a total gross floor area of 135,700 m2 (1,461,000 sq ft) and spans 10 storeys – five above ground and five basement levels.
One of the main attractions of Jewel Changi Airport is the Shiseido Forest Valley, an indoor garden spanning five storeys and approximately 22,000 square metres (240,000 sq ft). It houses around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that live in high-altitude tropical forests from around the world. The Shiseido Forest Valley features the SENSE art installation, a collaboration between Shiseido and art collective teamLab. The valley is filled with walking trails set amid more than 235,000 square feet of landscaping, all surrounding the Vortex waterfall.
The Shiseido Forest Valley is a tranquil retreat in the core of the world's best transport hub. It is a garden wonderland where one can experience the beauty of nature within an idyllic valley of verdant landscaping. The valley offers two walking trails, spanning from level 1 to level 5, the topmost level of Jewel. Along the eastern trail, visitors will be led past rocky falls, while mists enhance the trek through the western trail. The Shiseido Forest Valley is open 24 hours a day and is suitable for all ages. However, luggage and wheeled bags are not allowed and should be left at the baggage storage.
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Canopy Park
Jewel Changi Airport is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex linked to one of the passenger terminals of Changi Airport in Singapore. The complex is made up of five above-ground and five basement levels. At the topmost level (L5) is the Canopy Park, a 14,000 sqm recreational wonderland for all.
In addition, Canopy Park features two mazes: the Hedge Maze and the Mirror Maze. The Hedge Maze is Singapore's largest, with 1.8-metre-high hedge walls and gates that can be pushed to change the path of the maze. It ends at an elevated watchtower, offering a bird's-eye view of the entire maze. The Mirror Maze, on the other hand, is located under the dome, with plants branching across the top. This maze makes use of mirrors and various reflections to create a unique experience.
Whether you're a traveller with a long layover or a local looking for a unique experience, Canopy Park at Jewel Changi Airport offers a delightful mix of nature, entertainment, and leisure activities for all ages.
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Changi Experience Studio
Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex with gardens, attractions, a hotel, and about 300 retail and dining outlets. It is located in Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, and is linked to one of the airport's passenger terminals. The complex covers a total gross floor area of 135,700 square metres (1,461,000 square feet) and spans 10 storeys – five above ground and five basement levels.
The Changi Experience Studio is a 3,000-square-metre space with interactive games and displays relating to Changi Airport's history. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the airport is run and provides educational and entertainment experiences for both adults and children. The studio features 20 different interactive touchpoints across 10 content zones, allowing visitors to learn about the history and development of Changi Airport, as well as its operations. Visitors can play games simulating airport functions, such as scanning virtual baggage for dangerous items and collecting discarded trolleys. The studio also includes immersive shows and projection experiences, combining technology and aviation-themed storytelling.
The Changi Experience Studio is located on Level 4 of Jewel Changi Airport and is open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Ticket prices vary for adults, children, and seniors, with discounts available for Singapore residents and students. The studio provides free luggage storage for visitors and is wheelchair accessible.
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The toroidal glass-and-steel façade
The toroidal shape of the façade is created by a complex latticework of steel, which supports over 9,000 pieces of glass. The structural steel system is visible throughout the interior, with the steel mesh weighing a colossal 6,000 tons. The glass panels are double-glazed and are positioned over a triangulated steel diagrid structure, with each panel custom-cut to a maximum dimension of 8.5 feet.
The façade was designed to combine a marketplace and an urban park, creating a space that draws both visitors and local residents. At night, the glowing dome is visible from all surrounding areas, becoming a stunning landmark. The toroidal design also serves a functional purpose, with slot-like slices through the valley allowing views to neighbouring spaces and the exterior, helping to prevent visitors from becoming disoriented by the circular form.
The construction of the façade involved the use of advanced design and fabrication methods. Safdie Architects developed a design-to-construction methodology to ensure the timely completion of the pavilion. The entire system, including glass panels, steel members, and custom-shaped solid steel nodes, was fabricated using CNC robots and assembled on-site. The complexity of the design is further highlighted by the fact that no two panels of the façade are the same.
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Frequently asked questions
The glass dome of Jewel Changi Airport is 37.08m high. The waterfall inside, known as the Rain Vortex, is 40m tall.
The Rain Vortex is the world's tallest indoor waterfall. It is 40m tall and has a width of 200 by 150 meters.
The waterfall uses up to 37,850 litres of water per minute during the day. This is reduced to 5,680-7,570 litres per minute in the evening so that light projections can be seen more clearly.
The nerve centre for the Rain Vortex is located behind a nondescript door in the basement 3 car park. This is where the filters, control panels, and other mechanisms that control the water feature are found.
