Design Takes Flight: NOMAD Lands in Abu Dhabi

From November 19 to 22, 2025, NOMAD will take over Zayed International Airport’s historic Terminal 1, transforming one of the UAE’s most symbolic architectural landmarks into a living exhibition of art, design, and cultural dialogue.

For its landmark Middle East debut, NOMAD reimagines the concept of a design fair. Instead of the sterile halls of convention centers, the fair unfolds within the modernist curves and mosaic roof of Terminal 1, originally designed in 1982 by French architect Paul Andreu at the request of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The terminal, once a symbol of progress and refinement, is now reborn as a stage for innovation, storytelling, and artistic exchange.

Curated by Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, the fair’s co-founder, NOMAD has earned international acclaim for its site-specific philosophy, staging editions in Capri, Venice, St. Moritz, and Monaco. Its Abu Dhabi chapter marks the beginning of a new global season for the itinerant platform—one that bridges Gulf modernism, collectible design, and contemporary art into a single, immersive experience.

“Each NOMAD edition is embedded within its architectural context,” says Bellavance-Lecompte. “Luxury here is not a spectacle—it emerges from material integrity, from rhythm, from human connection.”

An Architectural Revival

Terminal 1’s distinctive circular lounge and arched walkways will serve as the foundation for NOMAD’s installations, inviting visitors to rediscover this landmark of Gulf modernism through a new lens. The fair will feature leading international galleries, from Milan’s Nilufar and Paris’ Galerie BSL to Cairo’s Le LAB and Dubai’s The AP Room—each presenting limited-edition design pieces that reflect a dialogue between heritage, materiality, and innovation

Among the highlights we are super excited for, Leila Heller Gallery will present Chihuly: Four Decades of Iconic Works, a sweeping celebration of Dale Chihuly’s masterful glass sculptures, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Sharjah) unveils the Tilad Collection with Mexican artist Ricardo Rendón, fusing Emirati talli and safeefah crafts with volcanic stone and pine wood.

Orient 499 collaborates with Lebanese design duo David/Nicolas on Mida, a contemporary interpretation of the majlis that celebrates hospitality and craftsmanship while Maison Perrier-Jouët x Formafantasma bring Cohabitare, an ecological installation exploring coexistence and biodiversity through terracotta and flora. Another anticipated project include IN TRANSIT: A Nomadic Library, presented by Dongola Limited Editions x Studio Etienne Bastormagi x Mira Hawa Projects.

Finally, Bottega Veneta’s Destinations project marks the 50th anniversary of its iconic Intrecciato weave, reimagined by regional designers such as Abdalla Almulla, Esna Su, and Bahraini–Danish.

A Cultural Dialogue

Set against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District—home to the Louvre and the future Guggenheim—the fair aligns with the city’s rising stature as a global creative hub. Timed alongside Abu Dhabi Art, NOMAD extends this momentum, drawing collectors, curators, and visionaries into a conversation that connects the Middle East’s heritage with its avant-garde future.

“Abu Dhabi embodies what NOMAD stands for,” says Bellavance-Lecompte. “It’s a place where tradition and innovation are not opposites, but partners in creating meaning.”

Off-Site and Beyond

Beyond the terminal walls, NOMAD expands into the city with Shifting Terrains, an off-site showcase in partnership with Jumeirah Saadiyat Island. This exhibition traces the evolving creative landscape of the Emirates through works by KAMEH, Georges Mohasseb, Neda Salmanpour, and Datecrete, exploring how place, material, and memory shape design today.

In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways, NOMAD’s 2025 edition represents a real revival of dialogue between the Middle East and the world. By transforming a dormant airport terminal into a cultural gateway, it celebrates both movement and memory—a fitting metaphor for a region whose artistic spirit continues to travel far, without ever losing its roots.

In Partnership With

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Strategic Partners
Abu Dhabi Airports
Etihad Airways

Official Partners
Bottega Veneta
Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty
Perrier-Jouët

Hospitality Partner
Jumeirah

Strategic Organizing Partner
VCA Cultural Agency

Strategic Media Partner
AD Middle East

Media Partners
DOOR
Mousse Magazine

F&B Partner
The Lighthouse

& more...

More info on Nomad-circle.com