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Singapore did not copy the idea or design for Jewel Changi Airport from anyone. Changi Airport Group (CAG) and world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, who designed the structure that has drawn international acclaim since its opening in April, have hit back at the chief of Qatar Airways, who made the accusation. At the unveiling of expansion plans for Qatar's Hamad International Airport in Doha two weeks ago, Mr Akbar Al Baker said, in an obvious reference to Changi's Jewel: "When I show you the images later (of the planned enhancements), you will realise that somebody copied our design, which was already on the table nearly six years ago... We had individuals from that country, I will not name it, that took our design and did it." An indoor waterfall and massive gardens are among the features planned that are strikingly similar to what Changi's Jewel offers. Construction is to commence by early next year, Mr Al Baker said. Responding to the copycat allegation, CAG chief executive Lee Seow Hiang told The Straits Times yesterday: "We value the originality and creativity of ideas as we innovate to elevate the Changi experience for all our visitors. We respect intellectual property rights and expect the same of all our partners." When Changi embarked on the Jewel project, the mission was to create a game-changing airport experience, he said. In July 2012, a competitive process was put in place to seek out the best ideas around the world for an integrated lifestyle complex. The contract was eventually awarded in May 2013 to CapitaLand for its proposal featuring a design conceptualised by Safdie Architects "which we found to be the most compelling", Mr Lee said. "Safdie Architects has since informed us that they have not done any work in Qatar; neither has Mr Safdie ever visited the country", he stressed. Mr Safdie said: "We have been pursuing the concept of gardens as a focal point for the public realm for many decades. We have also explored the concept of harvesting the rain into internal rainfalls at Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) and Marina Bay Sands. "The success of these explorations have further inspired and led us to create a new icon in the Jewel that we see today - a new kind of urban place that celebrates the elements of nature and urban life. "We are delighted that Jewel's uniqueness and originality has been well-recognised by the international community and resulted in many wanting to emulate it." The 10-storey complex has attracted about 50 million visitors since it opened six months ago. Design in question: