The Changi Airport Group (CAG) gave local press a sneak preview of the new 225,000sq m 16m-capacity Terminal 4 facility last week following last month’s first trial AirAsia flight which delivered 180 passengers into the terminal from Kuala Lumpur Airport, before returning another 166 on the return flight later in the evening.

 

Terminal 4 is now set to open later this year, having been built on the site of what was the former budget terminal and next month (7-20 August) CAG plans to open its doors to more than 200,000 citizens who have applied for the tour to see the brand new facility which will initially be home to nine airlines.

 

These will include AirAsia’s various carriers, plus Cathay Pacific Airways, Cebu Pacific, Korean Air, Spring Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. These carriers and others in future will doubtless provide a much-needed boost to Changi’s annual overall passenger capacity which is expected to rise to 82m a year when it opens.

 

80 STORES AND F&B OFFERINGS

As reported, it will feature no less than 80 stores and restaurants covering 16,000sq m, featuring both local and international retail and F&B brands.

 

As reported, this new terminal – equivalent to size of around 27 full-size football fields – will also be packed with contemporary art, ‘grand-scale’ kinetic sculptures and a real taste of Old Singapore’s colourful Peranakan culture.

 

CAG says this is aimed at providing ‘a visually immersive and theatrical experience’, including entertainment and multimedia features created by both local and international artists and companies.

 

CAG says it is hoping that this attention to detail, tradition and fun will provide an inviting and entertaining distraction for those passengers wishing to escape the ‘hustle and bustle’ of travel for a brief interlude.

 

CREATING’ A SENSE OF PLACE’

Describing some of the key features in the new facility, CAG said: “At the heart of T4 is a grand-scale kinetic sculpture, Petalclouds, spanning 200 metres of the Central Galleria, which separates the public and transit areas. Petalclouds, visible from almost everywhere in the terminal, will leave one mesmerised as it moves gracefully to classical music specially composed by BAFTA award-winning composer, Ólafur Arnalds.

 

“This unique kinetic sculpture combines art and technology to create a harmonic, collective choreography of six identical ‘petal clouds’ resulting in a fascinating and continuous interplay of form, animated light and reflections.

 

“The sculpture depicts clouds moving slowly through the horizon. The design of its basic element – a symmetrical petal shape inspired by orchid petals – is found throughout the architecture and interior design of the terminal.”

As widely-publicised, Singapore’s heritage and culture is also being highlighted in the new transit area Heritage Zone which is featuring ‘shophouse architecture’ from the 1880s right through to the 1950s, including the rich and colourful Peranakan heritage often seen in the likes of the Katong and Chinatown areas.

 

DIGITAL THEATRE STAGE

CAG adds: “Passengers will also enjoy a special performance displayed on the Peranakan façade. A 10m x 6m LED screen transforms two shophouse bays into a digital theatre stage, to present a six-minute cultural mini-theatre show, Peranakan Love Story.

 

“The non-conversational musical is about an unlikely romance between two passionate musician-neighbours living next to each other, set in 1930s Singapore. A collaboration with renowned Singaporean composer and artiste Dick Lee, the show also features other local talents including Adrian Pang, Koh Chieng Mun, Amy Cheng and Benjamin Kheng.

 

“Besides sights and sounds, the Heritage Zone completes the multi-sensory experience of local culture through taste and smell with the integration of retail and F&B outlets housing local brands like Bee Cheng Hiang, Bengawan Solo, Curry Times, Eu Yan Sang, and Heavenly Wang.”

 

THE ‘IMMERSIVE WALL…’

All of which CAG is hoping will create a ‘stress-free immersive experience’, including in what otherwise might seem to be an unlikely location – namely centralised security screening just past immigration. Here, a 70m x 5m ‘Immersive Wall’ showcases imagery on Singapore’s skyline, plus ASEAN landmarks, as well as ‘a whimsical animated clip’.

 

In addition, the new terminal will also feature three art sculptures created around the common theme of travel or aviation, as CAG explained: “Local sculptor and Cultural Medallion winner, Chong Fah Cheong, created Hey Ah Chek!, installed at the Departure Check-in Hall, depicting a mother and her son hailing a trishaw ride after a typical visit to the market. Hands full with their baskets of fresh produce; it evokes the nostalgia of the way of life in the 1950s.

 

“Inspired by a transit experience in New York and later at Changi Airport, Kurt Metzler (Switzerland) captured the feelings of excitement and energy he felt with his family through Changi Airport in his sculpture Travelling Family.

 

“Located in the Departure Transit area, the set of sculptures is reminiscent of a scenario in an airport – a mixture of passengers and their children, all ready to embark on their next adventure.

 

“Finally, catch Les Oiseaux (The Birds) by French artist, Cedric Le Borgne. Three bird sculptures, each with a different attitude, greet passengers in the Arrival and Departure Halls.

 

“Le Borgne’s larger than life birds are 3D-wire luminous characters that metaphorically represent the different emotions one would feel at an airport.”

 

‘MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE’

Summing up the aims and goals at the outset of the terminal’s design and attractions, Ms Poh Li San, Changi Airport Group’s Vice President, T4 Programme Management Office said: “With T4, we have sought to create an enjoyable and memorable travel experience for our passengers, from the facilities and services, to the environment and the visual elements within – especially in locations with higher footfall and longer dwell times.

 

“The collection of art and entertainment formats in T4 was commissioned to be accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and it is a diverse blend of mediums, sizes and imagery that etches an inspiring first and last impression of their journey through T4.

 

“Each piece was conceptualised and designed with careful consideration as to how it would enhance the terminal’s design and architecture, weaving in a narrative that converges art and travel. We hope our passengers will enjoy the collection as much as we did putting it together.”

 

Other less traditional facilities may also be appreciated by future Changi T4 passengers, including a new centralised security system – as opposed to security at the gates – plus self check in options for those that want it. Security is also being enhanced with a new facial recognition system, which can track a passenger’s journey from one end of the terminal to the other to ensure that the journey is completed.

 

COMPREHENSIVE COMMERCIAL OFFERING

TRBusiness has covered Changi T4’s proposed retail and F&B offering for Changi Airport Terminal 4 before, but for the uninitiated here is a reminder of the comprehensive offering and the companies who are ’taking up residence’ at the location before the end of this year.

 

As CAG says, there will be more than 80 retail and F&B outlets, with just over 25% said to be new to the airport. There will also be innovative concepts and unique experiential zones, including two core Liquor & Tobacco (DFS Group) and Cosmetics & Perfumes (Shilla Duty Free) offerings within the integrated duty free transit area.

 

Here, for the first time, passengers will be able to shop in both product categories and pay for all their purchases in a single transaction.

 

As reported, CAG said: “The T4 shopping experience is enhanced by stores with 11-metre high double-volume façades and visually impactful store front designs. This zone will offer a selection of popular international and local retail brands, featuring creative interior designs and a premium shopping experience.”

 

In addition CAG says that the Heritage Zone will house ‘familiar traditional brands’ such as Bee Cheng Hiang, Bengawan Solo, Eu Yan Sang, Curry Times and Heavenly Wang.

 

 

TRANSIT AND RETAIL TENANTS

The full list of transit and retail tenants at T4 is as follows: Adidas Homecourt; Airport Pharmacy; Avenue Kids; Bee Cheng Hiang; Bengawan Solo; Charles & Keith; Coach; Furla; Discover Singapore; E-Gadget@T4; Eu Yan Sang; Gassan Watches; Giordano; iStudio; Kate Spade; Lacoste; Luvenus; Michael Kors; Moleskine; Montblanc; Pandora; Pazzion; Sunglass Hut; Swarovski; Taste Singapore; The Cocoa Trees; The Fashion Place; Trunk & Co.; TWG Tea Boutique; Uniqlo; WH Smith; ZAKKASG; plus 3 Liquor & Tobacco outlets (DFS Group); and 3 Cosmetics & Perfumes outlets (Shilla Duty Free).