Explore how Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore leads the way in sustainable construction, eco-friendly materials, waste management, biodiversity, and community engagement in this ultimate sustainability guide.

When you think of airports, eco-friendliness and biophilia are not the first things that come to mind. However, Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore challenges that perception. Opened in April 2019, Jewel Changi is a multi-use complex featuring gardens, attractions, shops, and restaurants. More impressively, it boasts a suite of sustainable features and initiatives, earning it numerous accolades and awards. 

This article explores how Jewel Changi leads the way in sustainable construction, eco-friendly materials, waste management, biodiversity, and community engagement.

Introduction to Jewel Changi

Jewel Changi Airport is a unique structure that blends retail, leisure, and transportation. Its centerpiece is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, which cascades from the roof of the dome-shaped building into a pond of over 1,000 square meters. 

The waterfall is a stunning visual and auditory spectacle and a functional element of the building’s cooling system. Jewel Changi also has four levels of gardens, including a Forest Valley with over 2,000 trees and palms, a Canopy Park with play attractions, and a five-story HSBC Rainforest. 

The complex has over 300 retail and dining outlets, a hotel, a bus terminal, and direct access to Terminal 1 of Changi Airport.

Sustainable Design and Features

Jewel Changi is a showcase of sustainable construction and green building practices. From the outset, the project aimed to achieve the prestigious Green Mark Platinum certification from Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA). 

The seamless integration of nature and commerce was conducted by a consortium of architects, engineers, and contractors who employed the latest technologies and materials to reduce the building’s carbon footprint, energy consumption, and water usage. 

Some of the impressive features of Jewel Changi’s sustainable design include:

• A double-skin facade that optimizes daylight and reduces solar heat gain.

• Photovoltaic panels generate up to 2% of the complex’s energy needs.

• A rainwater harvesting system that collects up to 50% of stormwater runoff for irrigation and toilet flushing.

• An automated pneumatic waste conveyance system that sorts and transports dry and wet waste to recycling and composting facilities.

• A centralized cooling system that harnesses the coolness of the water from the Rain Vortex and the Forest Valley to lower the ambient temperature of the building.

• Efficient LED lighting and air-conditioning systems save up to 20% of energy compared to conventional buildings.

• The use of low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and adhesives to maintain good indoor air quality.

Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts

Jewel Changi is a marvel of modern architecture and engineering and demonstrates a commitment to preserving and enhancing biodiversity. The Forest Valley, which brings together plants from countries such as Brazil, the United States, and Malaysia, functions as a giant green lung for the building, promoting natural ventilation and filtering pollutants. 

The Canopy Park features two topiary walkways shaped like a peacock and a chameleon and mist and fog installations that simulate rainforest environments. The HSBC Rainforest occupies five floors and offers guided tours and interactive exhibits that educate visitors on tropical rainforest ecology and conservation issues. 

The biodiversity efforts of Jewel Changi were noticed. They were the first airport to win the BiodiverCity(R) label from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Waste Management and Recycling

Jewel Changi takes waste reduction and recycling seriously, intending to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030. In addition to the pneumatic waste conveyance system, which reduces the reliance on bin trucks and encourages proper waste segregation, Jewel Changi has implemented several recycling initiatives. 

These include food waste composting, cardboard recycling, plastic bottle and aluminum can collection, and e-waste management. The complex also promotes reusable items, such as bottles, bags, and cutlery, and provides free water refill stations and reverse vending machines that reward users for returning empty drink containers. 

Jewel Changi’s waste management and recycling efforts earned it the Green Mark certification for Sustainable Operations and Maintenance (SOM) from the BCA.

Community Engagement and Education

Jewel Changi recognizes the importance of engaging with the local community and raising awareness about sustainability issues. The complex partners with schools, charities, and environmental groups to organize educational programs, workshops, and exhibitions to inspire environmental stewardship and sustainable living. 

Jewel Changi also encourages visitors to participate in eco-conscious activities, such as planting saplings, taking guided nature walks, or attending upcycling workshops. The complex also rewards shoppers who bring their reusable bags or adopt net-zero practices by giving them discounts or freebies.

Blend Nature and Technology with Sustainability

Jewel Changi is an inspiring example of how sustainability, innovation, and aesthetics can merge seamlessly to create a world-class destination that benefits people and the planet. Jewel Changi showcases best practices in sustainable construction, materials, recycling, biodiversity, and education, from greenery-filled spaces to energy-saving systems to zero-waste goals. By visiting Jewel Changi or learning from its initiatives, you can support sustainable living and contribute to building a better future.

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References:

1. ArchDaily. Jewel Changi Airport | Safole Architects. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/915688/jewel-changi-airport-safdie-architects.

2. Jewel Changi Airport. Forming a Sustainable Changi. Retrieved from https://www.jewelchangiairport.com/content/dam/cacorp/sustainability/sustainable-changi/sustainability-report/CAG%20Sustainability%20Report%20FY2122.pdf.

3. Moore, Rowan. Gardens, waterfalls, parks… What is happening to our airports? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/dec/30/airports-gardens-waterfalls-environmental-costs-architects.