Discover how Jewel Changi Airport redefines the travel experience, merging nature, commerce, and community.
If you’ve had the chance to visit Jewel Changi Airport, you know it’s a marvel designed to impress. With its lush indoor forest and the stunning waterfall cascading through the oculus, this meticulously crafted space invites visitors to revel in its technological splendor.
Outside, the temperature soars above 30 degrees, but inside, the environment is a comfortable 23 degrees. Looking up, you can see the clear blue sky while surrounded by a scene of flourishing trees, palms, and shrubs—real, yet meticulously curated.
Everything within Jewel is programmed and manicured to perfection. This unique blend of an airport and a tourist attraction seamlessly connects with existing terminals, challenging the notion that airports are merely transit points.
As the gateway to Singapore, an airport serves as the first and last impression for travelers. Jewel Changi flips this expectation on its head, transforming it into a destination in its own right. With the pandemic’s grip loosening and travel numbers steadily increasing, it’s time to reassess Jewel’s role since its opening over three years ago.
What Kind of Place is Jewel, Really?
Jewel has reshaped our understanding of airports as mere transit points and has illuminated how we, as travelers and residents, relate to these spaces. Marc Augé’s concept of the “non-place” from his seminal work Non-Places: An Introduction to Supermodernity contrasts organic, anthropological places with non-places that are devoid of deeper meaning.
In Augé’s framework, anthropological places foster social connections tied to history and identity, whereas non-places—such as airports—are defined solely by their utility, often accompanied by prescriptive signage like “No Smoking” or “EU passport holders to the left.”
Traditionally, airports have been viewed solely as passageways to destinations. However, with the recent developments in airport design, including malls and attractions, Jewel Changi exists in a gray area between non-place and anthropological space, balancing the functions of both.
“Strollology”
In contemplating what Jewel represents, we can also reference aviation expert John D. Kasarda’s concept of the “aerotropolis”—a metropolitan area centered around an international airport. This idea, more contemporary than Augé’s, suggests that airports like Changi have evolved into complex social hubs.
Architecture critic Edwin Heathcote describes aerotropolises as logistics-focused environments that reduce human experiences to mere patterns of movement predicted by algorithms. He envisions a future where design facilitates the seamless flow of people and goods, transforming urban landscapes into highly efficient machines.
Heathcote’s and Augé’s theories help us understand Jewel’s unique position within Singapore’s socio-economic framework, revealing how airports have transitioned into social hubs. Jewel offers an experience that allows for meaningful interactions, fostering relationships among visitors.
The Poster Child of the Garden City
Jewel’s lack of prescriptive instructions typically associated with airports is noteworthy. Instead, it fosters a more organic relationship among people and with nature, reflecting Singapore’s vision as a Garden City.
By creating spaces for relaxation and recreation—most of which are accessible at no cost—Jewel invites visitors to gather and interact without the pressures of consumerism. This stands in stark contrast to conventional shopping malls and airport “malls,” which often emphasize capitalism and commercialism.
In this light, Jewel cultivates interpersonal relationships that are not usually found in standard airport environments, positioning it as a space where social interactions can flourish.
Progression Towards Sociality
The airport, contrary to Augé’s view of non-places, can be seen as an inherently social space. Airports facilitate reunions and farewells, becoming integral to the leisure travel experience. Jewel Changi advances this notion by encouraging visitors to linger, transforming it into a place where community can thrive.
This evolution from a mere transit space to a social hub challenges the perception of aerotropolises as dystopian logistical systems, suggesting instead that they can foster human connections.
Jewel as a Brand
As we reflect on the evolution of airports, it becomes clear that the concept of an airport is in flux. With increasing globalization and urban density, the definition of an airport is shifting.
Jewel stands as a brand—embodying Singapore’s identity as a technologically advanced, lush garden city. While it retains elements of consumerism, it also reflects a more refined, understated elegance, positioning itself to attract economic opportunities.
As Changi serves as Singapore’s “front door,” Jewel is rapidly becoming a symbol of a uniquely Singaporean brand, demonstrating its capacity to attract both residents and travelers.
By redefining the airport experience, Jewel accommodates the intertwined roles of transportation, commerce, and social interaction. It invites individuals to engage with the space and with one another in meaningful ways.
Ultimately, Jewel Changi has the potential to transcend its identity as a mere landmark, inviting visitors to form connections and explore its many offerings, thereby truly realizing its purpose.
