‘Best Airport In The World’s Revitalized Terminal Looks Like Pandora In ‘Avatar’

By Mikelle Leow, 01 Nov 2023

Singapore’s Changi Airport, hailed as the “world’s best airport” with the largest indoor waterfall, rich foliage, and all-encompassing amenities, has unveiled its newly refreshed Terminal 2 (T2) following three-and-a-half years of expansion efforts. Returning with more life than ever before, the renewed hub embraces a nature-inspired theme, harmonizing with the city-state’s reputation as a “city in a garden.”

Budding throughout the architecture and aesthetics of the terminal are elements of minerals, water, and greenery—pretty reminiscent of the world of Avatar. From ceiling designs reflecting natural landforms to carpet patterns and lush green columns adorned with a variety of plants, the terminal offers some respite for visitors even before they step out of the airport.

The illuminating overhaul—filled with immersive installations—comes in collaboration with multimedia entertainment studio Moment Factory and Boiffls, the lead interior design partner for the revamp.

Image via Changi Airport Group

Greeting passengers at the departure hall is The Wonderfall, a 14-meter-tall (45.9-foot-tall) digital “waterfall,” cascading over megalithic boulders, that’s set amid a vertical garden. This colossal LED wall consists of 892 individual tiles, seamlessly joined into three large segments. Its curved form ensures a great view from every spot.

Image via Changi Airport Group

The Wonderfall plays a show at 30-minute intervals throughout the day, set to music by Jean-Michel Blais and dynamically responding to real-time lighting. Guests will feel as though they are stepping right into a waterfall as the display is positioned at the entrance to the elevator lobby.

Inside the departure transit area, a Dreamscape beckons onlookers with a gorgeously landscaped backdrop of physical and digital elements, with tropical sounds from birds and insects calling out to them.

Image via Changi Airport Group

Overhead, a “digital sky” changes its hues based on the time of day, mirroring real-time daylight and weather conditions in the city. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some planes, birds, or even a hot air balloon.

Image via Changi Airport Group

At times, the animated ceiling transforms into an underwater portal occupied by otters and marine creatures.

The Dreamscape serves to frame more than 20,000 real plants, chosen from over 100 species, in the space, accentuating their textures and drawing out their shadows.

The immersive garden is elevated over a transparent “pond.” As you walk onto the platform, you will feel as though you’re standing on water, with colorful fish gliding under your feet.

Image via Changi Airport Group

With the reopening of Terminal 2, Changi Airport is now fully operational across its four terminals.

Image via Changi Airport Group

The expansion amplifies the airport’s capacity, accommodating an additional five million passengers annually, thereby elevating Changi’s total handling capacity to 90 million passengers per annum.