Against an increasingly competitive landscape, where airports around the world are actively growing their ‘destination appeal’, Project Jewel sets in motion plans to boost Singapore’s Changi Airport as an air hub of choice for travellers. As it stands, transit passengers make up about a third of the airport’s air hub traffic.

Project Jewel will be architecturally iconic – it will have a striking glass and steel facade, as well as a large-scale indoor garden with a stunning waterfall. Visitors can expect a range of aviation and travel-related facilities, retail offerings, as well as unique leisure attractions.

The project is being led by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie and involves a consortium of design consultants, including Benoy and RSP. It will be constructed on the 3.5-hectare car park fronting Terminal 1, and will serve as a connective node, linking Terminals 1, 2 and 3. As part of the redevelopment, Terminal 1 will also be expanded to allow more space for the arrival hall, baggage claim areas and taxi bays.

Project Jewel is just one of several major infrastructure projects being undertaken at Changi Airport in its bid to strengthen its position as a leading global air hub.

It currently has three terminals and two runways. By 2020, it will have a new 4th terminal and three runways. And by the mid-2020s, the new standalone Terminal 5 – which will be constructed on 1,080 hectares of reclaimed land in Changi East – will be one of the largest terminals in the world.

Photos: Changi Airport Group