Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore

Deemed the "ultimate feeling of hospitality" by Matt Findlay, principal of Woodhead Australia, the $1.75 billion facility boasts a 5-story "Green Wall" vertical garden with 4 waterfalls, 28 aerobridge gates, 70 retail shops, 30 food and beverage outlets and other luxurious amenities; all in an amazing composition of steel, glass, stone and carpet.

Over 100,000 m2 of custom woven Axminster carpet from Brintons graces the huge open areas in T3 including arrival and departure halls, meeting points, waiting areas, lounges and retail environments. In addition, Brintons carpet is used in Singapore Airlines; First Class, Business Class and A+ lounges and in corridors and guest rooms of the Transit Hotels 66-room on-site facility.

According to Jon Stone, who heads Brintons Global Commercial Division, Changi Airport Terminal 3 is the worlds largest airport terminal carpet installation and the largest commercial carpet order Brintons has received in the past five years.

"From design to installation, we had an incredible team of highly skilled and experienced people working on this project for the past 5 years. Designers in our Singapore office worked closely with Woodhead Wilson, the Civil Aviation Authority in Singapore (CAAS) and Arista Interior Decor Pte Ltd", Stone stated. "To glimpse the magnitude of the task, just consider that this project required over 200,000 kilos of yarn, equivalent to fleece from 65,000 sheep. Managed through our Singapore office, carpet for this installation was actually produced in 3 of our 4 production facilities" added Stone.

Brintons designer Samantha James, responsible for this project, who worked closely with Woodheads interior design team, describes the designs created in custom woven Axminster carpet as imagery of aerial landscapes James notes, "The 2 main patterns are very large in scale, 4m x 4m, to bring visual metaphors of fields and meadows to the large open spaces without a hint of tracking or lining. Also with glass partitions and the overall openness of the facility, it was highly critical that our patterns provide for a smooth, transitional flow".

Stuart Truman of Woodhead comments, "The opening of Changi Airport Terminal 3 is the culmination of seven years work for our Singapore based design team. The Terminal building creates a new benchmark for passenger terminals worldwide in terms of its transparency, use of natural light and for its interior design - leading to outstanding levels of comfort for passengers and public alike. We are immensely proud of our achievements in ensuring travel through Changi is a truly memorable experience".

Woodhead have, as part of the design process on Terminal 3 worked with a variety of material suppliers to collaborate in the design and production of finishes, of particular importance for this project was the selection of a carpet supply company with the capacity to not only assist in the design of the finished carpets but one that offered technical advice on carpet specification and laying techniques.

For a project the size of Terminal 3 the supplier also had to have the manufacturing capacity to produce over 100,000 sq.m of quality product. Happily, Brintons have managed to not only produce the required quantity but have supplied a visually interesting range of custom carpets and have given relief to the tired feet of the millions of passengers visiting the building with unparalleled comfort for many years to come.

Altogether the 5 harmonizing carpet patterns represent variations on the theme, inspired by the world as seen from above. Textured lineal weave effects incorporated within the carpet designs are deepened by the muted color palette of contrasting neutrals, black, cream, beige and gold.

With over 22 million passengers expected to pass through Changis T3 annually, high demands are made on its floor covering, functionally as well as aesthetically. Brintons 12 row wool-rich woven carpet construction not only provides creative visual effects and luxurious ambience that is comforting to weary travelers, it offers superior noise and stress reduction, durability, non-slip safety and ease of maintenance all within an environmentally friendly product. The atmosphere embellished by carpet also promotes activity in the shopping street and food service areas.

Arista Interior Decor Pte Ltd, a leading dealer in Singapore, was responsible for managing and installing the carpet throughout T3. Carpeted areas in the main halls and concourses were installed using a direct stick method. Waiting areas, lounges and other spaces using underlay were double stick installations.

For more information about Terminal 3 at Singapores award-winning Changi Airport, go to www.changiairport.com.sg and click on Terminal 3. Also visit Woodheads website, www.woodhead.com.au.