Announced annually by UNESCO in Paris, France, since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide. The "World's Most Beautiful” Achievements recognition in the categories of Airports, Campuses, Passenger Stations, Sports, Museums, Emporiums, Hotels and Restaurants, granted by the Prix Versailles, highlights the primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.

Among six nominees on the World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2024, Zayed International Airport (formally the Abu Dhabi Int'l Airport), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was crowned “World’s Most Beautiful Airport”.

Terminal A was designed by American architectural firm KPF. An X-shape design is for efficiency and passenger flow. Sitting above road level, the terminal's 50m tall façade and its departure hall endow the building with an open quality. To provide people with daylight while protecting them from overheating, the undulated roof drapes over the façade protecting it from direct sunlight.

For easy guidance, each pier of the X form was inspired by a different element of Abu Dhabi’s character: desert, sea, city, and oasis. In addition, the terminal features two orientation landmarks: Sana Al Nour (22m tall, consisting of curved leaves of translucent glass, designed to direct light and air into the Arrivals Hall), and a feature staircase (linking the central space with the arrival corridor).

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