Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal Transformed into NOMAD Design Gallery
- Gen de Art
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
NOMAD, the renowned traveling fair celebrated for turning extraordinary architectural spaces into intimate showcases of collectible design, launched its first Middle Eastern edition inside the historic Terminal 1 of Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. Running from 19–22 November 2025, the event marked a landmark moment for both NOMAD and the UAE’s cultural scene.
Originally designed in the late 1970s by French architect Paul Andreu, Terminal 1 had once been a key aviation hub in the region. By the time of the fair, the retired terminal had been reborn as an unexpected cultural venue, with its gleaming mosaics, circular lounge, and sweeping arches forming a striking backdrop for contemporary art and design.
“When an exhibition becomes the destination, you finally see the architecture,” said NOMAD co-founder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, recalling his own past journeys through the terminal. “Visitors could slow down and appreciate every detail, giving the fair a truly emotional dimension.”
The fair brought together a range of international and regional galleries, presenting collectible design, contemporary art, and fine jewellery in a highly curated, immersive format. Among the participating design galleries were The AP Room (Dubai), Nilufar (Milan), Gallery FUMI (London), Galerie BSL (Paris), Galerie Gastou (Paris), and Mondavilli Scagliola (Milan).
A particularly significant component of this edition was the Bottega Veneta partnership. To mark the 50th anniversary of its iconic Intrecciato leather weave, the Italian house invited eight designers from North Africa and the Middle East to reinterpret the signature technique using local materials and ancestral craftsmanship. Curated by Rana Beiruti, the project reflects Bottega Veneta’s longstanding commitment to cultural exchange and celebration of craft in all its forms.
Supported by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, NOMAD’s debut underscored the emirate’s emergence as a global design hub—where heritage, innovation, and architecture intersected in one of the region’s most unexpected cultural spaces.
NOMAD in ABU DHABI 2025_Terminal 1, Zayed International Airport_Photo Credit N. Berezhnoy and Courtesy of NOMAD
