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Photo courtesy of Amplusnet SRL

Singapore, a physically small yet an economic giant country, located at the tip of the Malay

Peninsula. Its geographical location is between the longitude of 103 degrees 55’ East and latitude

of 1 degree 14’ North (Pearson, 2000). It has well known to be Southeast Asia’s most modern

city over a century. This country includes the island of Singapore and 58 or so smaller islands.

However, the capital city which also called as Singapore, covers almost a third of the area of the

main island.

Singapore is often publicized as a concrete jungle with close to 90% of its population

staying in flats and an ever-changing skyline of monumental buildings. Due to its efficient and

firm government, Singapore has become a prosperous country which excels in trade,

communications and tourism. Over the time, it progresses into a model to developing nations.

Yet, Singapore has also been known as a green city because there is a wealth of flora and fauna

in this country.

Besides that, Singapore’s climate is warm and humid. Thus, this makes it ideal to welcome

both leisure and business travelers year round. In addition to that, Singapore’s first-rate

infrastructure also enables visitors to enjoy its sites and attraction in a safe, clean and green

environment. At this point, except the train and subway systems, award winning Singapore

Figure 1: Location of Singapore

Introduction

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airport does play an important role in providing transportation airlinks to major cities around the

world.

Photo courtesy of The Real Singapore

Singapore airport, which also known as Changi airport is one of the main airport in Asia. It

was officially opened on 29th December 1981 and built mainly on the reclaimed land near where

originally the World War II Changi airbase had stood. Changi airport is located about 20

kilometers from the city center. It is the main international airport offering air transport services

to Singapore and is currently regarded as one of the top airports in Asia, due to the number of

passengers moved. This airport serves more than 100 international airlines flying to some 250

cities in 60 countries and territories worldwide.

Photo courtesy of Singapore Airport

Changi airport has three passenger terminals with a total annual handling capacity of 66

million passengers. When the airport first opened, only Terminal 1 was operational. On 22nd

Figure 1.1: Exterior of Changi Airport

Figure 1.2: Interior of Changi Airport

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November 1990, Terminal 2 was made operational and opened officially on 1st June the next

year. Terminal 2 is much larger than Terminal 1 but both provide similar services which

including the passenger transactions and transit, restaurants and shopping areas.

Following that, Terminal 3 commenced operations on 9th January 2008. Hence, its ability to

handle such big amount of passenger movements has been recognized. Besides that, Terminal 4

which currently being constructed is targeted for completion in 2017. The Budget Terminal, that

opened to serve budget airlines, was closed on September 2012 to make way for the construction

of Terminal 4. In addition to that, Skytrain was provided for the convenient of passengers to

travel between the terminals.

Photo courtesy of Adhir Kirtikan

The 16-sided, 78-metre Control Tower, sitting on a polygonal shaft server not only as a

necessary air-traffic control unit but also becoming a key icon representing the Changi Airport.

Travelling along the highway towards the airport, one can see the use of a wise and unique

landscaping and plants hide the ancillary buildings. The greenery continues to penetrate through

the entire airport with the planter boxes and landscaped pools within the terminals.

Due to its perfect achievements in different aspects, Changi Airport has won many awards

and accolades, most often the “Best Airport in the World”, a title which given by various

organizations such as Airport World, Business Traveller and OAG Worldwide. More recently in

March 2014, Changi Airport was once again named the World’s Best Airport for the fifth time

and for the second consecutive year at the 2014 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

Figure 1.3: A Panaromic view from Changi Airport Terminal 1

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Photo courtesy of Soumya

Terminal 3 in Changi Airport, its interior space is a ten-storey volume, with four functional

levels arranged around a huge sky lighted atrium, where its base is the space for the arrival hall.

Its design is not merely just on its decorative accent. However it’s about its own

sustainable design and also the green design aspect in the building itself. Changi Airport has

perennially named as the best or next best in the world, which had raise the bar and a new

different level for excellence in design and to create a monumental iconic first point of entry to

the nation-city.

The team has successfully integrated the building design, the interior design, and the

landscape design into a cohesive whole. The team in making the Changi Airport project

successful has achieve their main goal which is by using landscape element in the design itself as

an architecture element. Besides, they had also successfully developed a unique and outstanding

landscape design that is most importantly appropriate to the scale and function of the building.

Detailed Information

Figure 2: Exterior view of Changi Airport Terminal 3

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Photo courtesy of Tariq Mahadin

Some of the main design feature that make Changi’s airport become one of the most

prominent and green design is the roof and rainforest canopy that is built in terminal 3 that uses

an intelligent and brilliant system that enable natural daylight to penetrate in the interior space of

the building, maintain the heat and thermal inside the building and creates an overall soothing

and comfortable ambience for the users.

Photo courtesy of Tariq Mahadin Photo courtesy of Tariq Mahadin

Apart from that, the lush green walls in the airport had also become one of the most

prominent design. And other green feature design of this building is also its façade design on the

elevation that helps regulating the heat of the sunlight ray and minimizing most heat to penetrate

in the building. Changi’s airport is located in one of the busiest hub in Asia, which has also been

reclaimed from the sea.

Figure 2.1: ‘Butterfly-winged’ skylights in Terminal 3.

Figure 2.2: Green walls in Terminal 3. Figure 2.3: Close up view of green walls.

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In all words, Changi Airport had been awarded in the Green Mark building for its design,

which is the Green Mark Gold. The marking criteria for the Green Mark Award is based on the

energy efficiency, water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality and

other green features and innovations.

Figure 2.4: BCA Green Mark logo.

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Site Plan

Figure 3.1: Location of Changi Airport.

Figure 3.2: Zoom in version of the site.

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The design concept of Changi’s airport is to establish a green environment for the interior

space, which is in accordance to the nation’s vision – ‘City in a garden’.

And also to design it with environment concerns, the impact, reinforcement and also its

sustainability. Other intention of this design is also to establish and create an interior

environment where planting is not just for some decorative or accents but is also for the purpose

of architecture.

Design Concept & Innovation

Photos taken from the book “Changi Airport, Singapore”

Photos taken from the book “Changi Airport, Singapore”

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The Changi Airport is themed as garden and had boost a dramatic display of variant vibrant

colors and interactive technology which had brings Changi Airport to a higher level.

Design Concept & Innovation

Photos taken from the book “Changi Airport, Singapore”

Photos taken from the book “Changi Airport, Singapore”

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Images Of Changi Airport

Butterfly Louvres

Vertical Green Wall Features

Natural daylight is

modulated through

butterfly louvres

before it enters the

building.

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Thermal Analysis -Temperature

Based on the research from BBC Weather, Singapore is characterized as a country which

having uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity and abundant rainfall due to its

geographical location and maritime exposure.

Research shows that the average temperature of Singapore is between 25 degree Celcius

and 31 degree Celcius. To be more details about it, Singapore usually undergoes a minimum of

23 to 26 degree Celcius and a maximum of 31 to 34 degree Celcius.

Photo courtesy of Weather Forecast.com

As shown in the Figure xx, Changi Airport is situated at the eastern side of Singapore.

Based on the research, eastern side of Singapore is drier and slightly hotter than western

Singapore. Hence, it is clear that the temperature at the exterior of Changi Airport is much higher

than the temperature of its interior spaces. Direct heat is transferred from the sun to the ground.

Climate Data

Figure 3.1 : Location of Singapore Changi Airport

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Photo courtesy of Wordpress.com

However, efficiency of design strategy of Changi Airport helps in reducing its interior

temperature. In its high volume spaces, the usage of air-conditioning is thermally stratified.

Besides that, its intelligent building management system also interface with the flight schedule,

controlling the switching on and off of lights and air-conditioning in the dedicated gate-hold

rooms upon the departure of passengers. Furthermore, Terminal 3’s most outstanding feature-

unique “butterfly” roof architecture allows soft natural light enter into the airport while keeping

the tropical heat out. Thus, reduction of energy used in the interior of Changi Airport and internal

thermal comfort can be easily achieved due to their smart design strategy.

Humidity

Rainfall can be said is almost an everyday phenomenon in Singapore. Hence, it is classified

as a country with high level of humidity. Its level of humidity differs from more than 90% in the

morning and falls to around 60% in the mid-afternoon when it does not rain.

According to the reports by National Environment Agency (2012), the average relative

humidity level of Singapore is 84.2%. However, generally there is much more rainfall on the

western side of Singapore than the eastern portion of it. Since Changi Airport is situated at the

eastern side of Singapore, this means that Changi Airport has a lower humidity level compared to

the other region in Singapore.

Figure 3.2 : High volume interior spaces of Terminal 3

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From the diagram and chart shown, we can see that the wind flow is mostly from the NNE

and SSW direction throughout the year. The average wind speed is usually 5-7 knots every

month. And the temperature is from 28-30 degree celcius a year. The month February will have

the highest wind speed which is 8 knots. The average wind speed at Changi Airport will be

higher because of its site context and location which is located near the sea which has a greater

wind impact. Besides, the wind humidity is also higher compare to Singapore city central due to

its location which is nearer to the sea.

- Graph retrieved from - http://www.windfinder.com/windstatistics/singapore_changi

Wind Analysis

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The Changi Airport Terminal 3 is located close to the Equator. This means that the amount

number of hours gained at day and night are equal. The terminal 3 roof structure was designed by

SOM which are very sophisticated. The orientation of the building plays a very important role in

the design of the building taking in consideration of the sun path.

The above diagram shows the building orientation with the North point indication. The East

and West side of the building receives the most sunlight throughout the entire day. The design of

terminal 3 north, south and west facades are typically supported in a uniform grid of steel truss

framing. The mullions varying between 6-18 metres in height are composed of high tension rod to

increase the inertia for longer spans. The tension rods are also used as sun shading louvres.

Sun Analysis

Figure 8.1: Site Plan with North Point

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The mechanically designed and operated sun-protection louvres are designed by Bartenbach

are caliberated to move with the sun’s angle. These louvres are made of perforated aluminium

panels.

This diagram shows the sun path of Singapore. With the maximum light penetrating the

building, the roof was designed to be cantilevered out with the double-glazed glass coated with

low-E material. The cantilevered roof reduces the admittance of the heat gain from the sunlight

even at a very low angle of the sun; ie. 1600 to 1800 at gmt+8.

Western sun orientation Eastern sun orientation

Figure 8.2: General sun path in Singapore.

Figure 8.3: Sketch of the cantilevered roof against the sun.

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Ecotect Simulation Analysis

Figure 8.4: Time-0800 1st April.

.

Figure 8.5: Time-1200 1st April.

.

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The Terminal 3 airport is designed in a way that the sun orientates at at the South-East to

South-West façade of the building. The cantilevered butterfly roof of the terminal provides

shading not only to the wall of the building but also internally which reduces the heat and glare

from the sun. The orientation of the building matches very vell with the design of the terminal

roof also with the help of the vertical louvres that are places on the Souh-West façade of the

building for evening sun.

Ecotect Simulation Analysis

Figure 8.6: Time-1600 1st April.

.

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The Changi Airport Terminal 3 architecture design has a maximal openness and

transparency, which enables to the introduction of light into spaces deep within the terminal. The

most impactful feature of the Terminal 3 is the roof, followed by the green vertical wall.

Passive Design

Lighting consultant Bartenbach LichtLabor conducted a study and was determined to an

optimal way of dappling natural light into the terminal building. Then the parabolic reflectors were

introduced in the design. It is then placed before the butterfly louvres. The massive long span flat

roof is dotted with 919 intelligent skylights, illuminating the interior of the terminal completely

with natural daylight. Studies had proven that the terminal will be lit by natural daylight up to 8

hours daily with or without the presense of cloud. The terminal 3 exploits the lightweight

advantage of the bondek roof system. The metal bondek sheets are secured to the top of the trusses

and topped with a layer of lightweight concrete which will then reduce the load on the columns.

Analysis of Passive Design – Pavilion Concept

Figure 10.1: Roof of Terminal 3, Changi Airport, Singapore.

.

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The most perceptual magic that the terminal 3 roof promises is the perforated aluminium

butterfly louvres that sits above the skylights. These louvres are adjustable in relation to the sun’s

movement by a computer system. When strong winds are detected, the mechanism will close the

butterflies. During cloudy days, the louvres will be opened entirely to allow the maximum rays of

lights into the terminal. The aluminium louvres can also be flapped down to form a plane surface

which acts as a secondary roof. Each skylight comprises a roof opening sealed with a pure crystal-

type glass that admits the full spectrum of colours from the natural daylight into the building.

Butterfly Louvres

Figure 10.2: Butterfly Louvres on the roof.

.

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When the sunlight is filtered through the butterfly louvres, the light then comes to the

parabolic reflectors. The reflectors are fitted like sleeves into the vertical surfaces of the skylights.

These reflectors projects a glare-free sunlight to enter the terminal at an angle of 45 degrees. At

certain point of the terminal, cut-off reflectors are fitted for additional glare control.

This is the diagram which explains the theory on how does a parabolic reflector work. F is

the focal point which represents the source of light from the Sun and the blue lines represents the

direction of the light rays. The reflected rays will then be gently shined to the terminal hall.

Parabolic Reflector

Figure 10.3: Illustration of the Parabolic Reflector

theory.

.

Figure 10.4: Parabolic Reflector openings on ceiling panels.

theory.

.

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In this system used in the roof of Terminal 3, the usage of parabolic reflection is applied

onto the panels shown above. With the same theory, the parabolic curve is not seen on the

surface of the panels.

The long cantilever roof of the change airport in terminal 3 is another element into the green

roof feature. At both West and East side of the airport, the cantilevered roof is extended longer

than the other. This is due to the sun orientation or sun rise and set.

The material used for the cantilever roof is the double-insulating glass. These glass are

manufactured with glass thickness at 3-10mm per piece. Double insulating glass are separated by

a spacer which separates the two glass panels in order to seal the gas space between them.

Manufacturers make the spacers (usually10mm) a less heat conductor to reduce the heat of the

sealed air. Besides that, these glass are coated with low-E which admit 65-70 percent if visible

daylight and reduces the thermal heat to only 35 percent.

Low-E Glass Cantilever Roof

Figure 10.5: External View of Terminal 3 Changi Airport.

theory.

.

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Low-e coatings was built to minimize the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that can

pass through glass without compromising the amount of visible light that is transmitted. When

heat or light energy is absorbed by glass it can be either shifted away by moving air or reradiated

by the glass surface. In general, highly reflective matierals have a low emissivity and dull darker

colored materials have a high emissivity. The cantilevered roof radiate heat in the form of long-

wave, infrared energy depending on the emissivity and temperature of their surfaces. Reducing

the emissivity of one or more of the window glass surfaces improves a window’s insulating

properties. For example, uncoated glass has an emissivity of 0.84, while PPG’s solar control

(Solarban 70XL) glass has an emissivity of .02.

This is where low emissivity or low-e glass coatings come into play. Low-e glass has a

microscopically thin, transparent coating. This coating is much thinner than a human hair that

reflects long-wave infrared energy (or heat). Some low-e glass also reflect significant amounts of

short-wave solar infrared energy. When the interior heat energy tries to escape to the colder

outside during the winter, the low-e coating reflects the heat back to the inside, reducing the

radiant heat loss through the glass. This helps into maintain the rate of heat loss and heat gain in

the terminal.

Low-E Glass Cantilever Roof

Figure 10.6: Chart analysis of the Low-E glass coating.

theory.

.

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To use a simple analogy, low-e glass works the same way a thermos does. A thermos has a

silver lining, which reflects the temperature of the drink it contains back in. The temperature is

maintained because of the constant reflection that occurs, as well as the insulating benefits that

the air space provides between the inner and outer shells of the thermos. The silver low-e coating

reflects the interior temperatures back inside, keeping the room warm or cold.

Temperature are being reflected while sunlight is able to pass through the low-e glass of the

terminal roof.

Figure 10.7: Illustration of the effects of Low-E coating on the glass.

.

Low-E Glass Cantilever Roof

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Image & graph source from http://educationcenter.ppg.com/glasstopics/how_lowe_works.aspx

According to the graph above, ultraviolet light, which is what causes interior materials such

as fabrics and wall coverings to fade, has wavelengths of 310-380 nanometers when reporting

glass performance. Visible light occupies the part of the spectrum between wavelengths from

about 380-780 nanometers. Solar infrared is commonly referred to as short-wave infrared energy,

while heat radiating off of warm objects has higher wavelengths than the sun and referred to as

long-wave infrared. This will then reduce the terminal temperature fluctuation.

Low-E Glass Cantilever Roof

Figure 10.8: Graph of the light transmittance against the wavelength in nanometer.

.

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The journey of the light does not end just yet. The flip-flops are designed in a set of fixed

module which is then repeatedly used under the entire stretch of the roof. These flip-flops are held

up by high tension steel cables which are secured from the bottom of the roof trusses. The flip-

flops are made of perforated metal which gives the ceiling a soft character. The architect wanted

to create the ‘cloud’ feeling towards the passenger’s perception when looking at the lights

bouncing above them.

Flip-Flops

Figure 10.9: Flip-Flops as ceiling inside Terminal 3 Changi Airport.

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The landscape of the Terminal 3's interior space as a continuation of the overall exterior

airport gardens. The landscape architect, Tierra Singapore wanted this to make things visible

through the wide and tall glass 'skin' of the building. The green wall is a perfect example of how

vertical planting could significantly affect overall interior ambience with small footprint in plan.

Green Wall

Figure 10.10: Green wall at luggage collection in Terminal 3 Changi Airport.

Airport.

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The green wall is made of 120 metre long lattices which are linked together. The

straightforward orthogonal grid allows a manageable framework for the green wall to be filled

with a mix of foliage vines and bromeliads.

Double-layer cable support system planting system was introduced by sandwiching fiberglass

planting troughs. Stainless steel beams cantilevered from the wall support horizontal I-beam

modules with fiberglass. Twining vines on cables in singular containers are easily removed and/or

replaced by hand, without mechanical fasteners. The vines are pre-grown in pots that are already

creep up to 3-metre long stainless steel cables at 4mm diameter. The vines grows at both the front

and back of the lattices.

It is a major challenge when sufficient amount of natural sunlight is needed into the green

wall to allow plants to undergo the photosynthesis process. The minimum number of 1000 lux is

needed for the growth of the plants, which is sufficient for the top part of the green wall. For areas

that did not reach the amount of lights were given aid by using perforated metal for the catwalks

to allow sunlight to come in from the top. The other source of light is to use artificial light to boost

the lux level.

Green Wall

Figure 10.11: Exploded axonographic illustration of the green wall system.

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This image shows that the viens are planted and grow from the planter box and creeps on the

cable. Vanda Miss Jaoquim (Orchid) is vastly used as the plants in the green wall system as it is

the national flower of Singapore. With light that comes in, heat gain demands become higher.

Due to glass weak insulation propertiesit is a major contribution to thermal heat gain. As such,

the terminal 3 glass used are the low-E glass and also double glazed.

Green Wall

Figure 10.12: Green wall seen in the Terminal 3 with live plants held up by gutters.

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The north and south facades of the terminal 3 hall are much reduced facades as the piers are

joined to the main building structure. Vertical perforated aluminium sunshades are extended most

at the east and west sun.

The major part of the terminal roof which has higher percentage of plants is not closed or

blocked by the flip-flops in order to have maximal light emittance. The position of the palm trees

are also placed is a very high significant presence of natural sunlight.

The impact of in terminal 3 is an interior environment subject to stringent controls for

human comfort.

Green Wall

Figure 10.13: Sketch of the roof theory in Terminal 3.

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Appendix

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Average Temperature Graph for Singapore

Max.temperature Min.temperature

Resources from BBC Weather

Figure 11.1 : Graph above showing the average temperature for Singapore. By referring to the

graph above, we can conclude that the average temperature of Singapore is between 25

degree Celcius and 31 degree Celcius.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Average amount of rainfall for Singapore

Figure 11.2 : Graph above showing the average amount of rainfall for Singapore. Based on

the chart above, we can conclude that July is the warmest month and December is the wettest

month.

Resources from BBC Weather

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Figure 11.3 : Chart above showing the direction of wind flow and average wind speed of

Singapore. From the diagram shown, we can see that the wind flow is mostly from the NNE

and SSW direction throughout the year. The average wind speed is usually 5-7 knots every

month. The month February will have the highest wind speed which is 8 knots.

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