Evolution Scenic main stage and screen surrounds for Al Burda Festival Abu Dhabi.

Cultural festivals require environments that can support many different forms of engagement while maintaining a consistent creative identity. In November 2018, the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development hosted the inaugural Al Burda Festival and Awards Show at Warehouse 421 and the NYU campus in Abu Dhabi.


The event brought together artists and visionaries from across the MENA region for knowledge sharing, interactive workshops, art exhibitions and an evening performance by international artists at the NYU main theatre.


Evolution Scenic provided technical design, structural development and scenic fabrication for the festival. The scope included scenic elements for the main stage, workshop spaces and art galleries, alongside a custom temporary structure for the main plenary and bespoke branded features throughout the event.


The Solution


Evolution Scenic developed detailed technical construction drawings and established the fabrication requirements necessary to transform the creative brief into buildable scenic elements.


Materials were selected according to the visual, structural and functional needs of each component. This ensured the fabricated elements achieved the required appearance while remaining suitable for their intended environments and uses.


For the main plenary, the team constructed a custom temporary event structure that combined structural performance with considered architectural detailing. Additional scenic elements were fabricated for the main stage, workshop spaces and art galleries, creating distinctive environments for the festival’s different programme areas.


Bespoke branded features, including signage and backdrops, were also produced to strengthen the festival’s identity and maintain visual consistency across the guest experience.

Delivery Highlights


  • Technical design and structural development
  • Detailed technical construction drawings
  • Fabrication planning and material specification
  • Scenic fabrication for the main stage
  • Scenic environments for workshop spaces
  • Fabricated elements for art galleries
  • Custom temporary structure for the main plenary
  • Bespoke branded features
  • Event signage and backdrops
  • Delivery across Warehouse 421 and the NYU campus
  • Support for the inaugural Al Burda Festival and Awards Show


Outcome


The completed scenic installation supported the festival’s varied cultural programme while maintaining a cohesive visual identity across its principal environments.


Through detailed technical development, considered material selection and specialist fabrication, Evolution Scenic translated the creative brief into functional structures and scenic elements for the main stage, plenary, workshops and galleries.


The project demonstrated the team’s ability to deliver coordinated scenic environments for a multi-venue cultural event, combining structural requirements with the artistic standards expected of an internationally focused festival and awards programme.

Project Ecosystem


Evolution Scenic – Technical design, construction drawings, structural development, material selection, temporary structures, scenic fabrication, branded elements, signage and backdrops.