Transformation of Sunflower Garden, Terminal 2, Changi Airport, Singapore

Project Description

Globalwide International teamed up with BHN Architecture and BHNA as the architect and landscape designer respectively, and submitted a Design & Build tender to Changi Airport Group for the  revamp of the Sunflower Garden at T2, Changi Airport. The key concepts of our design proposal are as follows:

1. Create Interest, provide Visual Prominence and enhance Physical Connection from airport interior

We seek to provide an intentional connection between the airport interior and the Sunflower Garden by extending the entrance portal structure of the Garden inwards, and enhancing its design through the use of an overhead plane of metal mesh. This overhead mesh will be a recurrent feature used in all the structures in the Garden, making it an imageable architectural feature of the Garden experience.

2. Visually Stimulating Environment – strong Focal Points, and Sculptural/ Ornamental forms

We identified and created 2 powerful focal point experiences in the Garden – the Raised Focal Waterwall and Planter Feature in the direct line of sight of those who had just entered the Garden, beckoning them to walk onto the Boardwalk towards it, and as well the opening up of the view towards the impressive jets on the Airport runway at the Boardwalk Vantage Lookout, a kind of reward to those who had taken the journey onto the Boardwalk.

3. Choreograph a classic combination of `Vantage Point’ and `Stroll Garden’ Experience

There is clarity in the simple choice to sit in the cool, well shaded Sheltered Seating Area, embraced by the sumptuous foliage of tropical shrubs, or to venture forward and take a walk on the Sheltered Boardwalk in midst of the sunflowers basking in the sunshine, helped by the enticement of the sound and sight of the Raised Focal Waterwall and Planter Feature.

4. Focussed Intentions in Planting Palette

We propose to use a rich, informal mix of Tropical Plants with Ornamental Foliage, zoned strategically so that the deep green of the foliage of these shrubs bring out the brilliant golden-yellow of the sunflowers. To echo the sunflowers, other plants that provide bright yellow flowers are Maiden Jealousy and Yellow Creeping daisy are used.

5. Maintainability

Last but certainly not the least, we place great emphasis on the maintainability of the Garden, and as well better growth conditions for the plants, and prevent the soiling of hardscape areas especially during and after rain.

The Garden has been planned for the easy and efficient location of Equipment and Services. Water feature equipment is conveniently and efficiently located in a dry chamber between the Reflection Pond and the Water Wall Pond, right below the composite timber decking of the Boardwalk. Maintenance trenches consolidate services and pipework to facilitate the ease of servicing and maintenance of M&E services.