The newly constructed Terminal 2 of Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport has won the prestigious International Architectural Award 2025 in the Transport category, honoring its innovative, sustainable design inspired by Northeast India.
Designed by Mumbai-based architecture firm NUDES under the leadership of architect Nuru Karim, the terminal reflects the region’s natural beauty and cultural identity, drawing global recognition for its symbolic and sustainable approach.
Terminal 2 is inspired by the resilience of bamboo and the grace of the foxtail orchid—Assam’s state flower. The design captures the ecological richness and cultural diversity of the Northeast, offering travelers a unique, immersive experience rooted in local identity.
The award-winning project was led by architect Nuru Karim of NUDES, with the core design team comprising Mahesh Khanapurkar, Vishesh Khetawat, Vatsal Kapadia, Atul Hanchate, Nirmal Kumar, and Tanvi Savla.
Landscape architecture was undertaken by Hemali Landscape Design Studio, while the general contractor for the project was Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Private Limited. The terminal was developed for Adani Airport Holdings Limited, the client overseeing the airport’s transformation.
The terminal’s recognition by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design highlights its fusion of functionality, environmental sensitivity, and cultural storytelling. Use of locally sourced materials, passive cooling elements, and daylight optimization are among its sustainable features.
“With this terminal, we are not just building infrastructure—we are creating a cultural gateway,” said an official from Adani Airport Holdings. The terminal sets a new benchmark for regionally rooted architecture in public spaces.
The international recognition is expected to boost Assam’s global visibility, enhance tourism, and promote further investment in infrastructure that prioritizes local context and ecological balance.
