Complex landscape needs of

Challenge
Changi Airport was expanding with a new Terminal 4 to handle increased passenger traffic. The project required an efficient, sustainable irrigation system for extensive landscaping across multiple areas, including indoor and outdoor spaces, multi-story car parks, and elevated planters. Key challenges included managing water resources efficiently in a large, complex facility, irrigating diverse landscape areas with minimal overspray, maintaining consistent irrigation across different elevations and distances, and integrating the system with the building’s infrastructure.

Solution
Cisgenics designed and implemented a comprehensive irrigation system for Changi Airport’s Terminal 4. The system features four independent pump systems servicing different areas of the terminal complex, ensuring targeted coverage across the diverse landscape. Innovatively, it utilises air-conditioning condensate as the primary water source, supplemented by NEWater, promoting sustainability and resource efficiency.

Dripline irrigation was employed for all landscape areas to minimise overspray and optimise water usage. The system’s intelligence is driven by a decoder-based control system, incorporating rain for efficient water management. A high-pressure fogging system was installed for indoor trees to reduce ambient temperature and mitigate dust accumulation.

Finally, the design includes customised zoning and scheduling for varying plant needs and locations throughout the terminal, ensuring each area receives appropriate care.

Results
The system’s flexibility and expandability enable it to meet diverse landscaping needs across the expansive terminal complex. Automated irrigation management reduces the need for manual labour and ensures consistent plant care throughout the facility.

Integrating a fogging system for trees improves ambient conditions and enhances the indoor environment. Furthermore, the potential for future integration with a centralised computer system suggests opportunities for even greater control and efficiency, positioning Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 at the forefront of sustainable and intelligent landscape management.

Cisgenics for Changi Airport Terminal 4 demonstrates how a well-designed irrigation system can address the complex needs of a large-scale airport terminal project, balancing water efficiency, plant health, and integration with building systems.