A spectacular system of louvered skylights headlines this major expansion of Singapore's global travel hub.
A new gateway to Singapore
With an increasing number of passengers moving through Changi International Airport in the mid-2000s, SOM designed a third terminal to significantly expand the airport’s capacity. Terminal 3 is a steel-and-glass structure, with four above-ground levels and a 9-hectare roof that spans above the ticketing, departure, and arrival areas.
In plan, the major spaces of the terminal are organized in a series of zones, each 300 meters long and designed according to a different function. This sequence starts at the front of the terminal, adjacent to the departures curb, where a 15-meter-wide, landscaped band is devoted to vertical circulation. This entryway leads into the ticketing hall, which is bounded by columns 60 meters apart. Following the ticketing hall are landscaped, multi-level spaces for departing travelers with lounges, retail, concessions, and other amenities.
Bringing in light
One of the terminal’s most distinctive features is an overhead light modulation system that consists of glass skylights and thousands of aluminum louvers. During the day, the sensor-driven louvers limit the amount of direct sunlight entering the space by filling it with diffused light. At night, artificial light reflects off the louvers to provide a uniform pattern of illumination. This sophisticated technology helps minimize lighting and cooling costs, while also defining the signature aesthetic element of the terminal.
Gates: 23
Design Capacity: 22000000 passengers
Awards:
- 2004, American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum
- 2003, Design Award: Project, AIA – New York City Chapter
- 2001, P/A Award, Architect Magazine
- 2005, Award: Shortlisted, Cityscape / Architectural Review
- 2001, American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum
- 2008, Award: Shortlisted, World Architecture Festival
Collaborators:
- BNP Associates Inc.
- TJ Systems Pte Ltd.
- Evan Lim and Company Pte Ltd.
- Woodhead Wilson Pte Ltd.
- Multron Security Pte Ltd.
- M&G Contracts (S) Pte Ltd.
- Crisplant Inter-Roller Consortium FKI Logistex (Asia Pacific) Co Limited
- Bartenbach GmbH
- Hugh Dutton Associates
- Tierra Design (S) Pte - Ltd
- Ingrao Inc.
- Lea + Elliott, Inc.
- Sato Kogyo Co Pte Ltd.
- NCS Engineering Communications Pte Ltd.
- Nature Landscape Pte Ltd.
- Tyco Fire & Security
- CNA Engineers Pte Ltd.
- ADC Technologies Pte Ltd.
- Hitachi Asia Ltd.
- Guthrie Engineering (S) Pte Ltd.
- CPG Consultants Pte Ltd.
A spectacular system of louvered skylights headlines this major expansion of Singapore's global travel hub.
A new gateway to Singapore
With an increasing number of passengers moving through Changi International Airport in the mid-2000s, SOM designed a third terminal to significantly expand the airport’s capacity. Terminal 3 is a steel-and-glass structure, with four above-ground levels and a 9-hectare roof that spans above the ticketing, departure, and arrival areas.
In plan, the major spaces of the terminal are organized in a series of zones, each 300 meters long and designed according to a different function. This sequence starts at the front of the terminal, adjacent to the departures curb, where a 15-meter-wide, landscaped band is devoted to vertical circulation. This entryway leads into the ticketing hall, which is bounded by columns 60 meters apart. Following the ticketing hall are landscaped, multi-level spaces for departing travelers with lounges, retail, concessions, and other amenities.
Bringing in light
One of the terminal’s most distinctive features is an overhead light modulation system that consists of glass skylights and thousands of aluminum louvers. During the day, the sensor-driven louvers limit the amount of direct sunlight entering the space by filling it with diffused light. At night, artificial light reflects off the louvers to provide a uniform pattern of illumination. This sophisticated technology helps minimize lighting and cooling costs, while also defining the signature aesthetic element of the terminal.
Gates: 23
Design Capacity: 22000000 passengers
Awards:
- 2004, American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum
- 2003, Design Award: Project, AIA – New York City Chapter
- 2001, P/A Award, Architect Magazine
- 2005, Award: Shortlisted, Cityscape / Architectural Review
- 2001, American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum
- 2008, Award: Shortlisted, World Architecture Festival
Collaborators:
- BNP Associates Inc.
- TJ Systems Pte Ltd.
- Evan Lim and Company Pte Ltd.
- Woodhead Wilson Pte Ltd.
- Multron Security Pte Ltd.
- M&G Contracts (S) Pte Ltd.
- Crisplant Inter-Roller Consortium FKI Logistex (Asia Pacific) Co Limited
- Bartenbach GmbH
- Hugh Dutton Associates
- Tierra Design (S) Pte - Ltd
- Ingrao Inc.
- Lea + Elliott, Inc.
- Sato Kogyo Co Pte Ltd.
- NCS Engineering Communications Pte Ltd.
- Nature Landscape Pte Ltd.
- Tyco Fire & Security
- CNA Engineers Pte Ltd.
- ADC Technologies Pte Ltd.
- Hitachi Asia Ltd.
- Guthrie Engineering (S) Pte Ltd.
- CPG Consultants Pte Ltd.
A spectacular system of louvered skylights headlines this major expansion of Singapore's global travel hub.
A new gateway to Singapore
With an increasing number of passengers moving through Changi International Airport in the mid-2000s, SOM designed a third terminal to significantly expand the airport’s capacity. Terminal 3 is a steel-and-glass structure, with four above-ground levels and a 9-hectare roof that spans above the ticketing, departure, and arrival areas.
In plan, the major spaces of the terminal are organized in a series of zones, each 300 meters long and designed according to a different function. This sequence starts at the front of the terminal, adjacent to the departures curb, where a 15-meter-wide, landscaped band is devoted to vertical circulation. This entryway leads into the ticketing hall, which is bounded by columns 60 meters apart. Following the ticketing hall are landscaped, multi-level spaces for departing travelers with lounges, retail, concessions, and other amenities.
Bringing in light
One of the terminal’s most distinctive features is an overhead light modulation system that consists of glass skylights and thousands of aluminum louvers. During the day, the sensor-driven louvers limit the amount of direct sunlight entering the space by filling it with diffused light. At night, artificial light reflects off the louvers to provide a uniform pattern of illumination. This sophisticated technology helps minimize lighting and cooling costs, while also defining the signature aesthetic element of the terminal.
Gates: 23
Design Capacity: 22000000 passengers
Awards:
- 2004, American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum
- 2003, Design Award: Project, AIA – New York City Chapter
- 2001, P/A Award, Architect Magazine
- 2005, Award: Shortlisted, Cityscape / Architectural Review
- 2001, American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum
- 2008, Award: Shortlisted, World Architecture Festival
Collaborators:
- BNP Associates Inc.
- TJ Systems Pte Ltd.
- Evan Lim and Company Pte Ltd.
- Woodhead Wilson Pte Ltd.
- Multron Security Pte Ltd.
- M&G Contracts (S) Pte Ltd.
- Crisplant Inter-Roller Consortium FKI Logistex (Asia Pacific) Co Limited
- Bartenbach GmbH
- Hugh Dutton Associates
- Tierra Design (S) Pte - Ltd
- Ingrao Inc.
- Lea + Elliott, Inc.
- Sato Kogyo Co Pte Ltd.
- NCS Engineering Communications Pte Ltd.
- Nature Landscape Pte Ltd.
- Tyco Fire & Security
- CNA Engineers Pte Ltd.
- ADC Technologies Pte Ltd.
- Hitachi Asia Ltd.
- Guthrie Engineering (S) Pte Ltd.
- CPG Consultants Pte Ltd.
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