Jewel is part of the expansion of Terminal 1, which is due to be completed this year, which will bring the capacity of Changi Airport to 85 million passengers a year (it is currently 82 million). The new complex serves as a connecting hub between terminals, has some other "applied" functions (for example, an early check-in area is open there), but the main purpose of Jewel is to attract the attention of tourists and transit passengers. Interest in him should lead them to Singapore or choose it as a place for transplant.
The attraction is the interior landscaping typical of Changi as a whole, which has been brought to a new level here. The glazed round volume contains green areas with a total area of 21,100 m2 (with a Jewel size of 135,700 m2): about 2,000 trees and palms and 100,000 bushes are planted there. About 120 species used come from Australia, China, Spain, etc. Special measures have been taken for their successful acclimatization in Singapore. In addition to the plants themselves, the complex includes various park amusements - slides and other entertainments for children, nets for walking along the crowns of trees, a maze of trimmed bushes, etc. PWP Landscape Architecture bureau was responsible for the landscape component of the project.
However, the main role is still assigned to a 40-meter waterfall that rushes down from the oculus in the center of the roof: it cools the interior, and also controls the rainwater that will be added to its stream during the frequent and severe thunderstorms characteristic of Singapore, bringing it to a capacity of 38,000 liters per minute. Then the rainwater is used to water the plants.
Cafes, restaurants and shops occupy 90,000 m2 in the complex: since Jewel is fully accessible not only for passengers, but also for the general public, and is connected to the public transport system of Singapore, its creators hope that it will become a popular place for recreation and entertainment for citizens … The program also includes a hotel.
The mesh shell of the building is supported by 14 tree-like supports. Glazing lets in sunlight (necessary for the plants inside) and at the same time protects the interior from excessive heat - and noise. The designers also took care that the gloss of the facades did not interfere with the pilots and controllers.
