Monday, December 29, 2025
“From bamboo and orchids to skylights and sky forests—this is not just an airport, it’s a living ecosystem.”
Inspired by Assam’s foxtail orchids, indigenous bamboo, and the landscapes of Kaziranga, architect Nuru Karim has designed Guwahati Airport’s new Terminal 2 as a living forest that prioritises sustainability and passenger wellbeing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bamboo Orchids Terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati on December 20, 2025. It represented more than just the inauguration of a new airport facility; it marked a transformative shift in the way infrastructure in the Northeast is conceived, designed, and experienced. With an estimated cost of around Rs. 4,000 crore, the new terminal stands as the largest in Northeast India, solidifying Guwahati’s position as the region’s primary aviation hub.
This design has awarded the International Architectural Award 2025, this project proves that modern infrastructure doesn’t have to conquer nature—it can coexist with it.
On the occasion, PM Narendra Modi posted on X: “The new terminal building of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport will be inaugurated. This is a major boost to Assam’s infrastructure; increased capacity means better ‘Ease of Living’ and a boost for commerce as well as tourism.”
It is the country’s first nature-themed airport, designed to accommodate 13.1 million passengers annually. With a focus on modernity while honouring local culture, the new terminal covers 1.4 lakh square metres and integrates advanced technology, sustainability, and regional identity to provide a seamless, passenger-centric experience, according to senior airport officials who spoke to PTI.
What distinguishes the terminal is not only its scale but also its architectural vision. Designed by Nuru Karim, founder and principal of Mumbai-based NU.DE, the terminal transforms the airport from a purely functional transit space into a cultural gateway.
Fifty-seven unique columns, designed to resemble bouquets of foxtail orchids, grace the departure and arrival areas. Arriving passengers will also pass through a ‘sky forest’, a verdant zone featuring around one lakh plants from 100 species of local flora, creating an immersive, forest-like atmosphere.
The architectural design is intentionally divided into two distinct zones. The departure hall incorporates engineered bamboo and composite materials, symbolising movement and modernity, while the arrival zone draws inspiration from Assam’s traditional architecture, offering a more rooted and immersive experience. One of the most striking features is the “arrival forest,” a transitional space leading into the baggage hall. Bathed in natural light from a grand skylight, this lush, green area introduces travellers to the region’s landscape before they even exit the terminal.
Sustainability is at the heart of the project. Given that buildings contribute nearly half of global annual CO₂ emissions, the terminal incorporates strategies aimed at minimising its environmental impact. Bamboo, a fast-growing, renewable material that absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows, replaces energy-intensive materials wherever feasible. Locally sourced bamboo varieties, such as Bhuluka bamboo and Jati mats from Assam, and Apatani bamboo from Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro valley, not only ensure authenticity but also support regional supply chains.
The construction of the terminal also mirrors the region’s rich diversity. Artisans and workers from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur, representing communities such as Boro, Mising, Sonowal, Angami, Ao, Meitei, and Wancho, played a key role in the project. A full-scale mock-up was created in late 2024 with the expertise of master bamboo trainers from Bali, and on-site construction commenced in March 2025. Despite the challenges of working with natural materials on such a large scale, nearly 85 percent of the bamboo work was completed in record time, under the guidance of Shapoorji Pallonji and Adani’s technical teams.
Source: Realty
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