Wave goodbye to the typical packed and stressful airport scene and step into the refreshing oasis of Jewel Changi Airport, a gem crafted by Changi Airport Group. With its flowing waterfalls and flourishing gardens, this place transforms a simple airport mall into an eco-friendly sanctuary, setting new standards for sustainable travel.
At Jewel, the magnificent HSBC Rain Vortex isn’t just for show – it’s a towering 40-meter testament to eco-innovation, surrounded by the lush Shiseido Forest Valley, home to a verdant array of over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs.
But Jewel’s commitment doesn’t stop at greenery; it’s a hub where energy-efficient LED lighting and cutting-edge ventilation strategies are implemented for operational efficiency. Singapore Changi Airport is blazing a trail, proving that travel can be in step with eco-consciousness. Together, they’re crafting a world where our creative spirit is perfectly balanced with the natural world.
Sustainable Infrastructure and Design
As you enter Jewel Changi Airport, be wowed by its spectacular, eye-catching design. This isn’t just any mega mall; it’s a powerhouse of green thinking. The brains behind this masterpiece, Moshe Safdie and his team at Safdie Architects, have woven eco-smart strategies into the building’s core. They’ve cleverly blended nature’s playbook with cutting-edge tech to tackle water and waste.
Green Building Features
Jewel Changi Airport boasts impressive architectural designs enclosed within a remarkable glass and steel exterior, which uses natural light to reduce energy consumption. The interior of the building is adorned with a rich tapestry of plants, which not only adds to its visual appeal but also helps regulate the climate inside, reducing the need for excessive energy use. For a fun experience, visitors can climb up to the Walking Net, where they can enjoy the company of foliage in a playful environment that aligns with the airport’s innovative approach to minimizing energy consumption and creating a closer relationship with nature.
Waterfall and Rainwater Management
Right in the middle of Jewel Changi Airport, the big Indoor Waterfall steals the show. It’s not just pretty; it’s also super smart regarding water conservation. When it rains, sensors tell the waterfall to stop using its water because there’s enough rainwater. And when it rains a lot, all that water gets saved in giant tanks in the basement.
Sometimes, the tanks get too full, and when that happens, the extra water doesn’t go to waste – it will help water the plants or get used for other stuff in the airport. If the waterfall starts running low on water, maybe because the hot sun makes some water evaporate, it gets filled with NEWater, a special kind of clean, recycled water.
This mighty waterfall is also great at keeping things cool. It helps make the air nice and cool inside, so there’s less need to use a lot of air conditioning, reducing its carbon footprint.
Waste Management
As you roam around Jewel, you’ll notice the conscious placement of recycling bins, urging you to join in on their eco-friendly mission by separating and recycling your waste. This gesture is a piece of a broader sustainability puzzle at Jewel, part of a thoughtfully crafted waste management plan designed to conserve and repurpose resources, spotlighting Jewel’s dedication to a greener, more resourceful tomorrow.
Nature Integration and Biodiversity
At Jewel Changi Airport, sustainability is deeply rooted in nature. It’s not just about adding a touch of green; it’s about integrating nature to enhance biodiversity and create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Walking through Jewel, you immediately sense that you’re in a place where nature and modern architecture are in dialogue, supporting a living, breathing environment that’s as pretty as practical.
Gardens and Shiseido Forest Valley
Upon entering Jewel, the Shiseido Forest Valley embraces you with its vibrant greenery. This massive indoor forest climbs up four stories, each layer teeming with life, from towering trees to delicate flowers. It’s alive with over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs worldwide, providing a feast for the eyes, purifying the air, and moderating temperatures indoors. This indoor sanctuary is a genius stroke of sustainable design, effectively reducing the need for mechanical cooling and representing a lush leap forward for airport environments.
Biodiversity Conservation
More than just a visual delight, the green spaces within Jewel Changi Airport serve a higher purpose: biodiversity conservation. Carefully curated landscapes provide much-needed habitats for various species. This effort extends to Canopy Park, a space that offers leisure and fun and is critical in maintaining the ecological balance. Every plant chosen and every trail designed is made to enrich Singapore’s urban biodiversity, therefore fortifying the airport’s stance on green initiatives and educating visitors on the importance of preserving and valuing our natural world.
Retail and Dining Experience
When you visit Jewel Changi Airport, the shopping and dining experience is as eco-conscious as it is enticing. Every purchase and meal here contributes to the airport’s quest for sustainability. The stores and restaurants are not merely spots to browse and dine; they’re part of Jewel’s greener vision.
Shopping and Marketplace
As you wander through the marketplace at Jewel Changi, you’ll encounter a world where shopping aligns with sustainability. Nearly half the retail space is dedicated to local brands, showcasing Singapore’s commitment to supporting homegrown talent and reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping. Carefully curated, these shops often highlight eco-friendly products, whether you’re looking for responsibly made fashion or sustainably sourced souvenirs. As you shop, you’re collecting items and contributing to a sustainable cycle that values the environment as much as commerce.
Food and Beverage Sustainability
Dining at Jewel Changi Airport offers a fresh taste of sustainable eating. Restaurants here serve delicious meals and are dedicated to reducing food waste and sourcing ingredients sustainably. Many eateries emphasize using locally sourced produce, reducing transport emissions, and supporting the local economy. Biodegradable materials and zero-waste practices are increasingly common, from fast-food joints to fine-dining establishments. Every bite you take is a step towards environmental stewardship, proving that indulgence and eco-responsibility can coexist on your plate.
Community and Education
Jewel Changi Airport doesn’t keep its sustainability efforts to itself; it aims to inspire everyone around it. It’s about building a community that’s educated, involved, and passionate about green practices. The airport has become a classroom as much as a travel hub, nurturing a space where learning and sustainability grow hand in hand.
Connecting with Residents
Jewel Changi Airport ensures that residents feel connected to the ongoing developments. The airport frequently organizes events where you can learn about its sustainable construction initiatives, like the use of eco-friendly materials. By involving you in waste management practices and promoting biodiversity, it aims to inspire growth within the community. These events are also attractions, allowing you to witness how the airport blends retail with nature.
Educational Outreach
Jewel Changi Airport hosts various educational outreach programs for visitors and students. These initiatives include the Horticulture Bootcamp, where you can dive into the intricate process of designing landscaping exhibits and the maintenance involved in caring for the airport’s vast indoor plant collection. This engagement does more than share knowledge; it demonstrates the airport’s commitment to creating a stress-free and green environment, actively contributing to a sustainable educational experience.
It's massive like a city in itself and you can easily spend hours in transit here with lots to see. Apart from the Jewel, there is the Butterfly Garden, Dreamscape and a new Sunflower Roof Garden.
TIP: transfer between terminals is by the fast and very frequent Skytrain which whizzes you between the terminals.
Eating ...... there is just so much choice and the whole airside is air conditioned.
Experience Jewel and explore architectural marvels, a lush indoor forest with over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, alongside exclusive shopping and dining. Enjoy stunning views and Canopy Park access, enriching your visit to this must-see Singapore destination.
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