Roberta Aguirre
Singapore's Changi Airport is known for its grand floral installations and gardens. In 2019, the airport expanded its offerings with the opening of Jewel Changi Airport, a mixed-use development featuring gardens, attractions, a hotel, aviation facilities, and retail and dining outlets. The centrepiece of Jewel Changi Airport is the Rain Vortex, a 40-metre-tall indoor waterfall surrounded by a lush, terraced forest setting. With this addition, Changi Airport aimed to strengthen its position as a major aviation hub and enhance Singapore's appeal as a tourist destination. In this paragraph, we will explore the development and features of the Rain Vortex waterfall at Singapore Changi Airport's Jewel complex.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Rain Vortex |
| Height | 40 metres (130 ft) |
| Location | Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore |
| Opening Date | 18 October 2019 |
| Cost | $1.7 billion Singapore dollars (US$1.25 billion) |
| Floors | 10 (5 above ground, 5 basement levels) |
| Gross Floor Area | 135,700 m2 (1,461,000 sq ft) |
| Visitors per day | 300,000 |
| Garden | Shiseido Forest Valley |
| Garden Area | 22,000 square metres (240,000 sq ft) |
| Number of Trees in the Garden | 3,000 |
| Number of Shrubs in the Garden | 60,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The Rain Vortex is the world's largest indoor waterfall
The Rain Vortex is the centrepiece of Singapore's Changi Airport, which is already well-known for its grand floral installations and gardens. The waterfall stands at 40 metres (130 feet) tall, making it the world's largest and tallest indoor waterfall. It is completely free to visit and explore.
The Rain Vortex was designed by Safdie Architects, known for modern architectural statements like Singapore's Marina Bay Sands. It is housed inside a toroidal, or doughnut-shaped, glass and steel structure designed by noted architect Moshe Safdie. The Rain Vortex is surrounded by a terraced forest setting, with the Shiseido Forest Valley at its heart. This indoor garden spans five storeys and approximately 22,000 square metres (240,000 sq ft), housing around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that live in high-altitude tropical forests around the world.
The waterfall is engineered by Los Angeles-based design firm WET, the company behind the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. It sends rain-harvested, recirculated water seven stories down from the roof in a circular waterfall. At ground level, the water flows into a giant acrylic funnel that creates an inverted waterfall on two below-ground levels. The water is then recirculated and reused within the building, for example in landscape irrigation systems and passive cooling.
At night, the Rain Vortex becomes the site for a light and sound projection show. The waterfall becomes the backdrop for a first-of-its-kind, 360-degree projected light show. Each evening, the whole thing gets a coloured light show.
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The waterfall is 40 metres tall
The Rain Vortex, a 40-metre-tall indoor waterfall located inside Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport, is a sight to behold. Not only is it the world's largest indoor waterfall, but it also serves multiple purposes. The Rain Vortex is an engineering marvel, designed by the Los Angeles-based firm WET, which is also responsible for the famous Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.
The waterfall is an integral part of the airport's design, with water cascading down from a towering dome through a circular opening, creating a stunning visual effect. The water is carefully recirculated and reused within the building, demonstrating sustainability in action. It is used for landscape irrigation systems and passive cooling, showcasing the airport's commitment to environmental considerations.
The Rain Vortex is surrounded by a lush, terraced forest setting, the Forest Valley, adding to the natural ambiance. This indoor garden spans five storeys and approximately 22,000 square metres, housing around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of various species. The combination of the towering waterfall and the lush greenery truly brings the outdoors inside, enhancing the airport's overall atmosphere.
At night, the Rain Vortex transforms into a captivating light and sound projection show, offering a unique experience for visitors. This fusion of nature and technology creates a dynamic and entertaining space, attracting both travellers and locals alike. The glowing dome of the airport can be seen from surrounding areas, drawing people towards it and making it a prominent landmark.
The Jewel Changi Airport, with its impressive 40-metre waterfall, is more than just a transportation hub. It is a destination in itself, enhancing Singapore's reputation as an attractive tourist destination and offering a unique experience for all who visit.
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It was designed by Moshe Safdie Architects
The Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, home to the Rain Vortex, the world's largest indoor waterfall, was designed by Moshe Safdie Architects. The Rain Vortex is a staggering 40 metres (130 ft) high and is surrounded by a terraced forest setting. Moshe Safdie Architects is known for modern architectural statements like Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, which was featured in the film Crazy Rich Asians.
The Jewel Changi Airport is a mixed-use development that includes gardens, a hotel, aviation facilities, a shopping mall, and the Rain Vortex. The dome-like structure has a puncture at the top, an oculus, through which rainwater gushes down a length of 40 metres. The water is recirculated and reused within the building for landscape irrigation systems and passive cooling. The Rain Vortex is also the site of a light and sound projection show in the evenings.
The massive dome-shaped structure encompasses five floors above the ground and five basement levels. It houses landside airport operations, indoor gardens, retail outlets, restaurants, and a hotel, including spaces designed for community and leisure activities. The Shiseido Forest Valley, an indoor garden spanning five storeys, is located in the heart of the Jewel Changi Airport. It houses around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that are typically found in high-altitude tropical forests worldwide.
The Jewel Changi Airport was conceived to maintain the Changi Airport's status as a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. It was first mentioned by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2013 as part of Changi Airport's long-term plans to double its capacity by the mid-2020s. The Jewel was officially opened on 18 October 2019, six months after its soft opening. During this time, it received 50 million visitors, exceeding its initial target of 40–50 million visitors for the first year.
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Jewel Changi Airport opened in 2019
Jewel Changi Airport, also known as Jewel, is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex at Changi Airport in Singapore. It was officially opened to the public on 18 October 2019, although it had a soft opening six months prior.
The centrepiece of Jewel is the Rain Vortex, the world's largest and tallest indoor waterfall, standing at 40 metres (130 ft) high. The waterfall is surrounded by a terraced forest setting, the Shiseido Forest Valley, an indoor garden spanning five storeys. The Forest Valley features around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that live in high-altitude tropical forests.
Jewel was designed by Safdie Architects, known for modern statements like Singapore's Marina Bay Sands. The complex spans a gross floor area of 135,700 square metres, with 10 storeys—five above ground and five basement levels. It includes gardens and attractions, a hotel, about 300 retail and dining outlets, and early baggage check-in aviation facilities.
The Canopy Park, located at the topmost level of Jewel, offers ticketed experiences like rope walks, futuristic slides, mazes, topiary sculptures, and a suspension bridge called the Mastercard Canopy Bridge. The bridge is located 23 metres (75 ft) above the ground and offers panoramic views of the Rain Vortex.
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The waterfall is the centrepiece of the airport
The Rain Vortex, a 40-metre-tall indoor waterfall, is the centrepiece of Singapore's Changi Airport. It is the world's tallest indoor waterfall, cascading down from a dome above. The waterfall is not just a feature in the building but an integral part of it, as WET design director Peter Kopik explains: "It's a continuation of the building. It's like the roof is pouring in and the building is getting completed in a liquid form."
The Rain Vortex is surrounded by a terraced forest setting. Below the waterfall, the water channels towards two underground levels encased in glass, passing Michelin-star ramen restaurants, reaching a walkway where visitors can get up close to the installation. The Shiseido Forest Valley, an indoor garden spanning five storeys, houses around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that live in high-altitude tropical forests around the world.
The Rain Vortex is a popular attraction for visitors, with about 300,000 visitors per day. It is also a unique experience for locals, with the airport aspiring to be more than just a transit hub. The Jewel complex, which includes the waterfall, covers a total gross floor area of 135,700 square metres, spanning 10 storeys—five above ground and five basement levels.
The waterfall was engineered by Los Angeles-based design firm WET, which is also behind the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. The water is rain-harvested and recirculated, flowing into a giant acrylic funnel at ground level that creates an inverted waterfall on two levels below. The waterfall is also used for passive cooling and landscape irrigation systems within the building.
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Frequently asked questions
The waterfall in Singapore airport, known as the Rain Vortex, was built in 2019.
The Rain Vortex is 40 metres (130-131 feet) tall, making it the tallest indoor waterfall in the world.
The Rain Vortex is made from rain-harvested, recirculated water. The waterfall is designed so that the water flows down from the roof and into a giant acrylic funnel at ground level, creating an inverted waterfall on two below-ground levels.
Yes, the waterfall is free to visit. However, there is one section that requires a ticket.
The waterfall is located in the Jewel Changi Airport complex, which spans 135,700 square metres and 10 storeys. The complex includes gardens, attractions, a hotel, about 300 retail and dining outlets, early baggage check-in, and aviation facilities.
