There are many gorgeous airports all across the world. There are airports with the most beautiful landing, the best lounge, and the overall best airport in the world. But one unexpected airport in India just got an award for its stunning design.
Guwahati International Airport (GAU), also known as Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, was just announced as one of seven winners in the International Architecture Awards 2025 for the Airports and Transportation Centers category, for a brand-new terminal that will soon debut. The airport primarily serves the northeastern corner of Assam, India.
The beautiful terminal, designed by the firm Nudes Architecture, was commissioned as part of an effort to improve local infrastructure and accommodate a higher number of air travelers. The structure is inspired by Assam’s natural environment, culture, and biodiversity—and particularly by orchids and bamboo. In Assam, there are more than 400 wild species of orchids, and “bamboo orchids” was the main inspiration for the airport’s design brief.
You can clearly see the leafy influence in the design—sweeping arches over open breezeways for passengers are made mostly from bamboo and other sustainable materials. Since Guwahati, India, is known as the “Gateway to the Northeast,” there will be skylights to let in natural light, with huge indoor gardens and green walls throughout the building. When passengers arrive at the airport, there will be an entire “arrival forest” that travelers will go through in order to get to baggage claim.
“The airport design is more than just a transportation hub—it is a living, breathing reflection of the region’s natural and cultural identity,” the International Architecture Awards’ website states. “It celebrates the resilience of bamboo, the grace of orchids, and the seamless integration of these two elements into a sustainable, iconic airport design.”
While the rest of the airport is currently open, this terminal is still under construction and not slated to open until October or November of 2025. At that time, it will be have the capacity to welcome roughly 10 million passengers per year.
Looking for a reason to see this stunning airport in real life? There’s plenty to see and do in the region. You can explore multiple temples, animal sanctuaries, and national parks in and around Guwahati. But if you’re planning a longer stay in the area, consider visiting the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park in Assam, India, which has a wide array of orchid species, as well as safari experiences, themed tents, and folk dance performances.
