Creating A Complete Winter Environment At Al Wasl Plaza

Expo Winter Fest 2023 required the transformation of Al Wasl Plaza into a complete temporary winter environment. Evolution Scenic was appointed by the event producer to design, fabricate, install and technically support the scenic package. The company also maintained the installation throughout its public operating period.

The project was developed and delivered over two months. Rather than focusing on a single stage or feature structure, the scope covered an extensive collection of architectural, sculptural and interactive scenic elements. These included a traditional chalet-style Christmas market, Santa’s House, a themed toy factory, festive fairground installations, tree islands, oversized baubles, entrance gates and a refurbished Santa letter station. 

Each element formed part of the same visual environment, but its construction needed to respond to a different structural or operational requirement.

Developing The Scenic Architecture

The chalet-style market established the principal architectural language for the project. Pitched roofs, timber detailing and traditional winter decoration created the appearance of a seasonal European market while remaining compatible with temporary event construction.

The structures needed sufficient strength for installation and operation but also had to be practical to manufacture, transport, assemble and maintain. Timber framing provided the primary construction method for many of the architectural components. Plywood and MDF were used to form walls, façades, roof sections, trims and decorative details.

Working from a common design language allowed individual structures to retain their own identity while reading as part of one connected winter village. Santa’s House expanded this architectural treatment into an immersive themed installation. The building incorporated festive scenic detailing and Christmas elements designed to create a richer spatial experience than a simple decorative façade.

Golden entrance gates and associated scenic structures marked transition points through the environment. In addition to reinforcing the visual treatment, these elements helped organise the flow between different zones.

Combining Workshop Disciplines

The breadth of the project required several scenic manufacturing disciplines to operate within one production programme. Carpentry teams produced the framed chalet structures, walls, roofs and detailed joinery components. Metal fabrication supported structural elements and the internal frames required for technically integrated installations.

MDF provided smooth surfaces for routed profiles, decorative forms and painted scenic details.Plywood supplied robust sheet construction where greater structural performance was required. Steel was incorporated where structures needed additional rigidity or where moving components placed greater demands on the supporting framework.

The workshop also produced sculptural characters, oversized baubles, gift boxes, decorative islands and numerous smaller themed components. Managing these disciplines within one coordinated production process ensured that architectural structures, props and animated elements shared a consistent standard of fabrication and finish.

Fabricating Elves & Toy-Factory Installation

The hand-carved elves were produced in styrofoam. This method allowed the sculptors to create expressive three-dimensional forms without the weight associated with solid timber or heavier moulded materials. Following carving, the figures received a hard protective coating. The coating increased surface durability and provided a stable base for the final scenic treatment.

The characters were designed to work within the scale of the wider environment. Their proportions and finishes needed to remain visually legible beside the chalet structures, tree installations and larger decorative features. By treating the elves as constructed scenic assets rather than lightweight decorative ornaments, Evolution Scenic was able to integrate them more effectively into the complete environment.

The toy factory contained some of the project’s most technically integrated scenic work.The structure used metal framing, wire mesh and moisture-resistant MDF to form its architectural and decorative surfaces. Moving gifts were incorporated into the installation, introducing mechanical operation within the themed environment.This required the scenic fabrication and technical systems to be developed together. Support frames needed to accommodate the movement, while external finishes had to conceal or visually absorb the underlying technical components.

The moving features also needed to remain accessible for inspection and maintenance during operation. Snow flocking completed the winter treatment, unifying the toy factory with the surrounding chalet structures and decorative installations. The completed feature demonstrated how animated scenery can be incorporated within a temporary public environment without allowing the mechanical system to dominate its visual character.

Producing The Festive Focal Points

Large decorative elements were positioned throughout Al Wasl Plaza to create focal points between the main architectural structures. Tree islands combined artificial trees, fairy lighting and snow dressing. These installations introduced height and texture while helping connect the different scenic zones.

A major Christmas tree provided a central vertical feature within the wider composition. Oversized baubles and gift boxes were fabricated to remain effective within the scale of the plaza. Their three-dimensional construction gave them greater presence than printed or flat decorative treatments.

A giant bauble arrangement was installed on a custom circular platform at the centre of the main stage area. The purpose-built base helped define the composition and provided a controlled interface between the large props and the venue surface.

The Santa letter station was refurbished and incorporated into the updated scenic treatment. Surrounding decorations, timber gift boxes and themed elements allowed the reused structure to sit naturally within the newly fabricated environment.

Installing The Complete Scenic Package

The site installation brought together structures manufactured using different materials and construction methods. Chalet buildings required accurate positioning and alignment so that their roof forms, façades and decorative details retained a consistent architectural rhythm. Large freestanding props needed to be securely installed while preserving their intended orientation and sightlines.

The toy factory required both scenic assembly and technical commissioning. Its structural, decorative and moving components needed to operate as one finished installation. Tree islands, lighting features, entrance treatments and smaller props were then integrated around the principal structures to complete the environment. Project management personnel remained present during delivery, coordinating the scenic and technical work with the event producer. The installation was completed on programme.

Supporting The Environment During Operation

Evolution Scenic remained on site throughout the operating period.

This ongoing responsibility allowed the team to maintain architectural finishes, decorative props, interactive elements and moving scenic systems after the public opening.

Temporary environments experience different demands from static exhibition displays. Visitor contact, repeated operation, environmental exposure and daily cleaning can all affect scenic surfaces and technical elements.

On-site maintenance allowed the team to respond directly to these operational requirements.

The arrangement also ensured that any adjustment was undertaken with an understanding of the original construction methodology, materials and scenic finish.

Delivering A Unified Temporary Environment

The completed Expo Winter Fest environment combined scenic architecture, custom manufacturing and technical production across a broad site.

Its chalet-style structures established a coherent architectural setting. Sculptural elves, giant baubles, gift boxes and tree islands added depth and character. Santa’s House and the letter station created interactive destinations, while the toy factory introduced movement and technical animation.

Behind the winter appearance was a coordinated manufacturing process involving timber framing, steel fabrication, MDF and plywood construction, sculptural carving, hard coating, scenic finishing and mechanical integration.

Evolution Scenic’s complete scope—from design development through maintenance—allowed the environment to be treated as one operational scenic system.

The result demonstrated the company’s ability to design and manufacture complex temporary environments that combine architectural scale, detailed prop work and technically integrated scenic features.

Building a Complete Scenic Environment for Investopia 2024

In February 2024, Investopia returned to The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi.

The project required significantly more than a single main conference stage. It called for a complete temporary scenic environment capable of supporting large-format presentations, smaller panel sessions, press conferences, MOU signings, business networking, private meetings, television interviews, registration and outdoor hospitality within one coordinated venue experience.

Evolution Scenic delivered the complete design, technical development, fabrication and installation of the scenic scope. This included the principal conference stage together with supporting presentation areas, networking booths, enclosed meeting rooms, media studios, registration features, branded entrance elements and outdoor scenic components.

The project extended across multiple areas of the hotel, connecting the main conference room with pre-function spaces, meeting environments, media facilities and supporting stages. Each zone had different operational requirements, but all needed to function as part of the same visual and material system.

This meant the scenic approach had to remain consistent while adapting to different scales and uses. Large-format stage architecture, repeated booth fabrication, enclosed temporary rooms, broadcast spaces and registration elements all needed to share a coordinated construction language, finish quality and branding treatment.

The completed environment therefore relied on careful integration between scenic fabrication, technical systems, graphics, lighting and site installation. Rather than treating each area as a separate build, Evolution Scenic developed the project as one connected temporary environment designed to support the full range of conference, networking, media and hospitality functions.

Engineering the Main Conference Stage

The principal stage measured 30 metres wide and incorporated a 26.5-metre-wide by 5-metre-high LED screen. Rather than treating the LED screen as a standalone technical surface, Evolution Scenic developed a wider architectural composition around it to give the stage a stronger sense of scale and visual continuity.

Two curved scenic structures, each reaching 5 metres in height, framed the screen on both sides. Metal support systems formed the internal structure of these scenic elements, while their visible surfaces received painted finishes. The curved geometry created a softer transition between the rectangular main screen and the wider stage environment, helping the entire elevation read as one integrated scenic installation.

Six LED screen totems were incorporated into the stage composition. Each totem measured approximately 1 metre wide by 5 metres high and used a metal-supported scenic construction.

Black-painted return panels enclosed the visible sides of the totems. These returns concealed the internal support arrangement and ensured that each screen column appeared as a resolved three-dimensional scenic element rather than an exposed technical fixture.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, while Evolution Scenic fabricated the stage, curved scenic structures, support elements and finished surrounds required to integrate the technical systems into the complete stage environment.

Integrating Light Within the Stage Construction

The stage deck was finished with exhibition carpet, providing a continuous surface across the full presentation area and creating a clean visual base beneath the large-format scenic structures. LED lighting was built into the stage steps, helping define the changes in level while contributing to the overall illuminated composition. The integrated step lighting also connected the lower stage architecture with the larger LED elements positioned across the backdrop.

A lightbox logo was incorporated directly into the front stage fascia. This allowed the Investopia branding to become part of the fabricated stage architecture rather than appearing as a separate applied sign or graphic panel.

The relationship between the central LED screen, six vertical LED totems, curved painted side structures, step lighting and illuminated fascia branding was developed as one coordinated visual system. By integrating lighting into the scenic construction itself, Evolution Scenic created a more unified stage environment in which digital content, fabricated forms and illuminated branding worked together across the full 30-metre stage composition.

This integrated approach also helped maintain visual continuity across different viewing angles within the conference room. Whether viewed directly from the front or from positions further to the sides, the illuminated stage fascia, vertical totems and curved scenic structures continued to read as parts of the same fabricated environment rather than as separate technical components.

Manufacturing the Networking Environment

Beyond the main conference room, Evolution Scenic manufactured a custom B2B networking area containing 50 individual booths. The challenge in this area was repetition and consistency. Every booth needed to maintain accurate dimensions, align correctly within the overall layout and provide a practical setting for business meetings without disrupting the visual rhythm of the wider networking environment.

Each booth incorporated an integrated storage cabinet. Building the storage directly into the scenic construction reduced the need for additional freestanding furniture and helped keep the individual meeting areas visually controlled and uncluttered.

The repeated booth system also required careful coordination of partitions, openings, finishes and circulation routes. Consistency across all 50 units was important so that the networking area read as one complete temporary architectural installation rather than a collection of separately built structures.

The booths therefore formed a modular scenic environment in which fabrication accuracy and repeatable construction were central to the final result. Their value came not only from the appearance of each individual unit, but from the consistency, alignment and finish quality achieved across the complete networking area.

By integrating practical storage and repeated scenic partitions into the same construction language, Evolution Scenic created a networking environment that supported functionality while maintaining a coherent visual identity throughout the space.

Constructing Nine Enclosed Meeting Rooms

Nine enclosed meeting rooms were manufactured to provide more private settings for discussions away from the open networking area. The rooms used timber-framed construction with MDF cladding. This created a practical temporary construction system that could support scenic finishes, applied graphics, integrated lighting and technical equipment while maintaining a consistent architectural language across all nine spaces.

The wall surfaces combined painted finishes with applied vinyl graphics, allowing branding and visual identity to be incorporated directly into the room construction rather than added as separate decorative elements. Fabric lightbox ceilings introduced an illuminated overhead feature within each room. These ceilings helped create a more controlled internal atmosphere and clearly distinguished the enclosed meeting environments from the open B2B networking booths positioned elsewhere within the venue.

Each room also incorporated a scenic backdrop wall with an integrated television unit. Positioning the screen within a purpose-built scenic composition helped the technical equipment sit naturally within the room rather than appearing as a separately mounted element. The repeated construction of nine rooms required careful attention to alignment, finish quality and consistency between units. Framing, MDF cladding, wall graphics, ceiling lightboxes and television backdrops all needed to be coordinated so that every room delivered the same level of scenic resolution.

The relationship between the structural framing, finished wall surfaces, graphics, illuminated ceiling and integrated media wall allowed the rooms to function as complete temporary interiors, supporting both privacy and practical meeting use within the wider Investopia environment.

Building Broadcast Studios Within the Pre-Function Area

Evolution Scenic also developed two fully enclosed television studios within the pre-function space, extending the scenic scope into dedicated broadcast environments. The studios provided controlled settings for interviews and live broadcasts while remaining visually connected to the wider Investopia installation. Their position within the pre-function area meant they needed to function independently without appearing disconnected from the surrounding scenic environment.

Constructing enclosed studios within an active circulation space required a balance between visual integration and operational separation. The structures needed to define clear broadcast areas while still sitting comfortably alongside the registration, networking and other pre-function elements.

The studios were developed as complete temporary scenic enclosures rather than simple partitioned spaces. This allowed them to read as intentional parts of the event environment, with a level of finish consistent with the surrounding Investopia scenic build.

Their inclusion expanded the project beyond presentation and networking into broadcast production, demonstrating how the overall scenic system was adapted to support different operational requirements across the venue.

By integrating the studios into the same broader design language, Evolution Scenic maintained continuity between conference, networking and media areas while providing dedicated spaces for television production.

Extending the Scenic Language Across Supporting Areas

Additional stages were produced for breakout sessions, press conferences, panel discussions and MOU signings, extending the Investopia scenic environment beyond the main conference room.

These smaller stages needed to maintain the same level of scenic resolution as the principal stage while responding to reduced room sizes, different presentation formats and more focused audience arrangements. The aim was to keep the supporting spaces visually connected to the wider project without simply reproducing the main-stage architecture at a smaller scale.

CNC-routed logos with integrated backlighting were installed within the breakout-stage backdrop walls. The routed construction gave the branding physical depth, while the concealed illumination increased its visibility and allowed the graphic identity to become part of the scenic build rather than a separate applied element. The same fabrication approach was used on branded walls within the entrance lobby, helping establish a consistent scenic language from the point of arrival through to the main conference, networking and meeting spaces. Repeating the illuminated logo treatment across different areas also helped connect the various zones visually.

Paint-finished registration counters formed a practical part of the arrival sequence, combining operational requirements with the same branding and finish quality used throughout the Investopia scenic environment. Outdoor areas were supported with high tables, patio umbrellas and a branded display plinth. These elements extended the Investopia identity into the external hospitality areas and provided a more informal setting while remaining connected to the wider scenic treatment.

Together, the supporting stages, registration elements, entrance branding and outdoor features ensured that the project maintained a consistent physical and visual language across multiple zones, rather than concentrating the scenic treatment only within the main conference room.

Coordinating Scenic and Technical Delivery

A project of this scale depended on close coordination between scenic fabrication, structural support systems and technical screen supply. The scenic and technical packages needed to be developed together so that the finished environment remained visually consistent while accommodating the practical requirements of the LED systems. Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, while Evolution Scenic developed the surrounding scenic construction. This included the main-stage architecture, metal-supported side structures, LED totem return panels, carpet-finished stage deck, integrated step lighting and illuminated fascia branding.

Screen dimensions, positions and structural interfaces needed to align accurately with the scenic build. The surrounding fabrication also had to account for installation access, finished sightlines, dimensional tolerances and the relationship between exposed scenic surfaces and concealed technical components. The project therefore required the scenic and technical elements to be treated as connected parts of the same installation rather than separate packages. Accurate coordination helped ensure that the large central screen, six vertical LED totems and adjoining scenic structures read as one complete stage composition.

The same approach continued throughout the wider venue. Television units were integrated into purpose-built scenic backdrop walls within the meeting rooms, while lighting was incorporated into CNC-routed branding, fascia lightboxes and other illuminated scenic features. By coordinating technical equipment with scenic fabrication from the development stage through to installation, Evolution Scenic was able to maintain a consistent level of finish across the main stage, meeting environments and supporting areas.

Installing a Multi-Zone Environment

Evolution Scenic installed the complete scenic scope within The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, coordinating multiple venue zones as part of one connected temporary environment. The installation included the main-stage structures, six LED screen totems, 50 networking booth positions, nine enclosed meeting rooms, two television studios, several supporting stages, registration counters, entrance features and outdoor scenic elements.

Each area needed to be delivered in accordance with the client’s requirements and venue restrictions, while maintaining consistent alignment, finish quality and branding across the wider installation. Within the main conference room, the 30-metre stage, central LED screen, five-metre scenic side structures and six vertical totems needed to align as one coordinated elevation. Accurate positioning was essential so that the technical and scenic elements read as a unified composition.

Within the networking area, the repeated booth modules required consistent spacing, clean junctions and accurate alignment across all 50 positions. The meeting rooms required the same level of control, with wall construction, lightbox ceilings, graphics, integrated television units and entrances working together as complete temporary interiors.

Across the pre-function area, the television studios, registration counters and branded scenic walls needed to coexist with the venue’s circulation routes without interrupting the visual continuity of the project. The success of the finished environment depended on close coordination between workshop fabrication, site positioning, technical installation and final scenic finishing, ensuring that each individual area formed part of the wider Investopia installation.

Creating a Consistent Physical Experience

The completed project connected a series of different venue functions through one consistent scenic approach, allowing each area to serve its own purpose while remaining part of the wider Investopia environment. The main stage delivered scale through a 30-metre architectural composition centred on the 26.5-metre LED screen and supported by the curved scenic structures and vertical screen totems.

The networking area used repetition and integrated storage to create 50 practical meeting positions, while the nine enclosed rooms introduced a more private temporary interior system using timber framing, MDF cladding, painted and vinyl finishes, illuminated ceilings and integrated television backdrops. The two television studios extended the scenic scope into broadcast production, creating fully enclosed media environments within the pre-function area.

Registration counters, entrance walls, breakout stages, press areas and outdoor scenic elements carried the same construction quality, branding treatment and visual language across the wider venue.

The final result demonstrates how scenic fabrication can shape the complete physical experience of a conference. Rather than concentrating only on the principal stage, Evolution Scenic designed, manufactured and installed the interconnected environments required for presenting, meeting, broadcasting, registering and hosting within one coordinated temporary installation.

CREATING A COMPLETE VISIT SAUDI HOSPITALITY ENVIRONMENT

For the 2024 Rugby 7s event in Dubai, Evolution Scenic delivered a complete temporary hospitality environment for Visit Saudi. The project extended well beyond fitting out a single tent. It combined a 15-metre by 10-metre external entrance and seating area, a 15-metre by 15-metre main hospitality space and a separate five-metre by five-metre back-of-house catering tent.

Each zone had a different purpose. The outdoor area needed to establish the arrival experience and provide shaded seating. The main tent had to accommodate hospitality, catering, reception, displays, furniture and technical equipment. The rear tent needed to support food preparation and service without interrupting the principal space.

Evolution Scenic handled the design, technical development, fabrication, installation and de-rig. This allowed the scenic walls, ceiling treatment, custom joinery, furniture, graphics, lighting and operational requirements to be considered as one connected environment rather than a tent filled with unrelated rental elements.

That distinction is important in hospitality fabrication. Temporary spaces still need the organisation, finish and practical planning expected of a permanent interior, but they have to be manufactured, installed and removed within a much shorter period. The structure may only exist for a few days, yet it still needs to work properly from the moment it is handed over.

PLANNING THREE CONNECTED OPERATIONAL ZONES

The three spaces were linked visually and operationally, but they could not all be treated in the same way. The external area was open and exposed, the main tent was a controlled interior, and the catering tent functioned primarily as a working support space.

The outdoor zone contained ten six-seater high tables with Arrow barstools, creating the principal standing and seated hospitality arrangement before guests entered the main tent. Four cantilever umbrellas provided shade, while six branded flagpoles and six planted elements helped define the perimeter and strengthen the arrival composition.

Inside the main tent, twelve natural-finished solid-wood round tables created four-seat settings, supported by sofa seating and selected carpeted areas. Four buffet counters, a reception counter and a display plinth organised the principal service and presentation functions. Television screens, four wall-mounted timber shelves, four freestanding air-conditioning units and six fire extinguishers also had to be accommodated within the design.

The back-of-house tent sat behind the principal space and provided the operational catering area. Although less visible, its position affected the main layout. Buffet counters and service routes needed to relate sensibly to the catering support behind them, allowing staff to move between the two areas without disrupting the guest-facing environment.

One of the questions we often ask during hospitality planning is where the operational pressure will occur once the space is in use. A plan may appear balanced when viewed empty, but catering queues, staff movement, furniture and service equipment can change how it performs. Counters, seating and circulation therefore need to be considered in relation to actual use rather than simply arranged to fill the available floor area.

The three-zone layout allowed the project to separate arrival, hospitality and catering while maintaining a clear visual connection between them. The outdoor area introduced the Visit Saudi identity, the main tent developed it into a complete interior and the rear tent supported the practical activity required to keep the hospitality operation running.

BUILDING AN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE INSIDE THE TENT

The main tent provided the weather enclosure, but the scenic construction established the interior architecture. MDF-clad walls, textured paint, graphics, timber details and a custom ceiling treatment transformed the temporary shell into a defined hospitality environment.

The internal wall system created a controlled backdrop around the space. MDF provided a stable surface for textured paint and selected vinyl graphics, while shaped panels and fitted details allowed the walls to accommodate branding, screens, shelving and operational equipment.

A temporary tent rarely offers the same straight and consistent surfaces as a permanent building. The scenic walling therefore needed to create its own finished geometry rather than relying on the fabric enclosure behind it. This gave the interior a more architectural quality and provided reliable fixing positions for the elements mounted onto it.

At selected locations, wall-mounted acrylic branding panels were installed against barasti backdrops. The contrast between the clean acrylic surfaces and the irregular natural texture gave the branding greater depth than a flat graphic applied directly to the wall.

This layering also allowed the Visit Saudi identity to appear as part of the material composition. The acrylic carried the precise graphic form, while the barasti created a warmer and more tactile background. Neither material had to imitate the other.

Television screens and timber floating shelves were incorporated into the wall arrangement. Their positions needed to be resolved during technical development because the internal support, cable routes and access requirements all affected the construction behind the finished surface.

It is easy to treat a screen as a rectangular object that can be mounted once the wall is complete. In practice, its position influences framing, power access, viewing height and the alignment of the surrounding graphics and joinery. The timber shelves created similar demands. They needed sufficient concealed support while maintaining the appearance of clean floating elements.

Overhead, an aluminium frame carried a barasti-pole timber ceiling finish. This ceiling treatment gave the tent a strong internal identity and created a direct relationship with the natural timber furniture and barasti wall details.

The visible ceiling also changed the perceived proportions of the space. Rather than looking upward into the standard tent roof, guests saw a designed overhead surface with its own rhythm, texture and lighting. That helped the main tent feel more like a temporary hospitality venue and less like a fitted marquee.

An overhead scenic treatment introduces practical considerations that do not apply to wall finishes. The aluminium frame had to support the barasti poles while maintaining clear relationships with lighting, air movement and the usable height of the interior. The finish also needed to remain consistent across a broad ceiling area, where irregular spacing would have been easy to see.

INTEGRATING JOINERY, LIGHTING AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS

The main tent required a collection of custom-fabricated joinery with different operational roles. Four buffet counters created the principal catering interface, a separate reception counter established the arrival and information point, and a display plinth provided a dedicated location for branded presentation.

These elements needed to function properly before their scenic finish was considered. Buffet counters require usable working heights, adequate depth and practical service access. Reception counters need to support staff and equipment without appearing overbuilt. Display plinths may be visually simple, but clean geometry makes surface accuracy and edge quality particularly noticeable.

The joinery was developed in relation to the surrounding walls, flooring, graphics and furniture. Counter dimensions and positions affected circulation, while their surfaces and finishes needed to sit comfortably alongside the textured paint, acrylic branding and natural timber elements.

Four wooden floating shelves were mounted directly to the scenic walls. These introduced additional display capacity without adding more freestanding units to the room, helping the interior remain open and organised.

Custom scenic lighting features were incorporated into the walls and ceiling. Rather than treating light as an independent technical layer applied after fabrication, the fixtures were coordinated with the scenic surfaces and overhead framework.

This allowed the lighting to reveal the material character of the interior. Textured walls, barasti poles, acrylic panels and timber joinery respond differently to light, and those differences added depth to the space.

Integrated lighting also helped distinguish focal areas from circulation and service zones. The counters, branding and principal wall features could be visually emphasised without relying on one general level of illumination across the complete tent.

Operational equipment presented a different challenge. The space required four freestanding air-conditioning units and six fire extinguishers, all of which needed to remain available and correctly positioned while sitting within a carefully designed interior.

Evolution Scenic fabricated scenic covers to reduce the visual impact of this equipment and help it relate to the surrounding walling and joinery. This is a common requirement in hospitality environments, where essential systems can otherwise become the most visually prominent objects in the room.

Concealment must never prevent equipment from functioning. Air-conditioning units still require airflow and access, while fire extinguishers must remain visible and reachable. The detailed ventilation and maintenance provisions for the covers have not been recorded, but the principle remains important: operational systems can be visually integrated, but they cannot be treated as decoration.

This balance between appearance and function runs through the entire project. Screens needed cables. Counters needed service access. Air-conditioning required clear operation. Fire-safety equipment needed accessibility. Scenic fabrication provided the visual control, but the technical and operational requirements continued to shape the finished environment.

EXTENDING THE MATERIAL AND BRAND LANGUAGE OUTDOORS

The external 15-metre by 10-metre hospitality area extended the Visit Saudi environment beyond the main tent. AstroTurf created a consistent finished surface across the zone, replacing the visual character of the event ground with a more deliberate hospitality setting.

Ten high tables, each arranged with six Arrow barstools, provided the principal seating and standing layout. Four cantilever umbrellas introduced shade while allowing the tables to remain flexible and open around their bases.

The outdoor arrangement needed to work as both an entrance and a usable hospitality space. Guests could gather before entering the main tent, but the furniture, flags and planting also needed to guide movement rather than block the approach.

Six branded flagpoles created height and visibility across the area. Because the seating and AstroTurf remained comparatively low, the flags helped identify the space from a distance and established the Visit Saudi presence before the internal architecture became visible.

Six planted elements softened the edges of the area and provided a transition between the event surroundings, the furniture and the tent entrance. Planting can be particularly useful in temporary environments because it introduces irregular natural form against repeated furniture and fabricated structures.

The use of timber, barasti and planting created a material connection between the exterior and interior. The outside area did not repeat the scenic wall system or ceiling construction, but it still felt related through natural textures, branded elements and a controlled floor treatment.

Branding was carried through the complete project using several methods. The external entrance and flagpoles established the identity outdoors. Inside, vinyl graphics, printed banners and acrylic panels extended it across the walls, counters and display features.

Using more than one branding technique prevented the environment from feeling overly repetitive. Printed graphics were appropriate for larger surfaces and information, while acrylic panels provided a more dimensional treatment at focal positions. Barasti backdrops gave those acrylic elements a distinctive material setting, and the custom joinery allowed branding to be incorporated into physical objects rather than applied only to walls.

In practice, a hospitality space feels more resolved when branding follows the hierarchy of the architecture. The entrance needs clear recognition, focal walls can carry stronger identity treatments and smaller joinery elements can use more restrained details. Repeating the same logo at the same scale throughout the space would not have produced the same result.

INSTALLATION, HANDOVER AND DE-RIG

Evolution Scenic delivered the complete on-site build-up of the environment. The wall systems, aluminium ceiling frame, barasti finish, flooring, counters, shelves, acrylic panels, television screens, scenic lighting, equipment covers, furniture and external elements all needed to be assembled in their final positions.

The three zones required different installation sequences. The main tent fit-out depended on establishing walls, overhead construction and floor finishes before much of the fitted joinery and furniture could be completed. The outdoor area required AstroTurf, furniture, umbrellas, planting and flagpoles, while the rear catering tent needed to be prepared around the operational requirements of the service team.

The overhead frame and wall systems would naturally influence much of the main installation programme. Once those elements were in place, graphics, lighting and fitted details could be completed without major structural work continuing around finished surfaces.

Flooring also needed to be coordinated with the scenic footprints. Carpet had to finish cleanly around walls, counters and furniture positions, while AstroTurf needed controlled edges across the external area.

A complete hospitality environment is not ready for handover simply because the scenic fabrication is finished. Television screens, lighting and cooling equipment need to be checked, furniture must be positioned, and catering and reception teams require access to prepare their areas.

This is one reason early coordination with the operational teams matters. The scenic installation defines the physical space, but the people using it need sufficient time to stock counters, test equipment and understand how the environment works before guests arrive.

Following the event, Evolution Scenic completed the full de-rig. The walling, ceiling treatment, counters, shelves, graphics, lighting features, furniture and outdoor elements were removed after the installation had served its operational period.

De-rig is not simply installation in reverse. Some connections become less accessible once finishes and operational equipment have been added, and the sequence must prevent partially dismantled overhead or wall structures from becoming unstable.

The temporary nature of the project therefore affected the construction from the beginning. Elements needed to be strong enough for use, refined enough for a hospitality environment and practical enough to remove once the event had finished.

WHEN A TENT BECOMES A COMPLETE HOSPITALITY ENVIRONMENT

The completed Visit Saudi installation brought together temporary architecture, scenic fabrication and operational fit-out within one coordinated project.

The barasti ceiling, textured walls, acrylic branding, natural timber furniture and custom lighting established the interior character. Buffet counters, reception joinery, screens, cooling equipment and fire-safety positions were integrated into the same environment rather than treated as unavoidable additions.

Outside, AstroTurf, umbrellas, high tables, flags and planting extended the project beyond the main tent and created a clear arrival space. Behind the hospitality environment, the separate catering tent provided the practical support required to keep the principal areas operating.

Evolution Scenic’s role covered design, technical development, fabrication, installation and de-rig, allowing the architectural, scenic and operational decisions to remain connected throughout the project.

The result demonstrates an important point about temporary hospitality construction. A tent provides shelter, but it does not create an environment on its own. The quality of the finished space comes from the way walls, ceilings, materials, furniture, branding, lighting and practical systems are developed together.

When those elements are coordinated properly, the temporary structure stops feeling like an enclosure filled for an event. It begins to operate as a purpose-built hospitality space.

Transforming Sentinel Barge With Custom Scenic Fabrication

The completion of ADNOC Logistics & Services’ acquisition of Zakher Marine International was marked aboard ZMI’s Sentinel Barge at Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi.

The setting played an important role in shaping the scenic approach. Rather than working within a conventional hotel ballroom, exhibition hall or purpose-built conference venue, Evolution Scenic had to develop the environment around the existing interior and exterior spaces of a marine barge.

This required the scenic design to respond directly to the architecture and circulation of the vessel. Interior presentation areas, exterior access zones and dedicated photography spaces all needed to feel visually connected while still working within the practical limitations of the existing setting.

Evolution Scenic handled the complete scenic scope, including design, fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig. The work centred on a large custom photo opportunity platform, supported by additional fabricated elements such as speech backdrops, branded display stands, a custom lectern, conference flags and exterior advertising features.

Across the project, white-painted scenic construction and blue vinyl graphics were used to create a consistent visual language. This approach allowed the temporary scenic elements to stand clearly against the industrial character of the barge while maintaining a clean and controlled branded appearance.

The wider environment was completed by Evolution Furniture, which supplied sofa seating, tables, plinths and floral styling around the scenic structures. These elements helped soften the presentation areas and created a more finished hospitality setting without competing with the primary branded backdrops and fabricated focal points.

Establishing A Scenic Centrepiece On The Barge

The principal fabricated feature was a large photo opportunity platform developed as the main scenic focal point within the barge environment. Evolution Scenic constructed the supporting structure using a custom steel stage deck, creating a stable raised base that allowed the finished scenic environment to sit independently from the existing barge surface.

The steel structure was then developed with custom plywood construction across the platform floor, steps, scenic walling and fascia. This allowed the structural deck to be concealed behind a cleaner architectural finish while giving the team flexibility to shape the visible scenic elements around the required presentation area.

Custom plywood steps connected the raised deck with the surrounding floor level and were integrated into the overall composition rather than treated as a separate access element. The plywood floor was prepared and skimmed before receiving a carpet finish, creating a smooth and uniform presentation surface across the platform.

Large scenic branded backdrops were installed to both sides of the platform. Finished in white paint, these structures created a strong architectural frame around the photography area and helped separate the temporary scenic environment visually from the more industrial character of the surrounding barge interior.

Vinyl graphics across the front fascia introduced the ADNOC and ZMI identity directly into the scenic construction. Integrating the branding within the fabricated surfaces allowed the graphics to feel like part of the overall architecture rather than separate applied signage.

The completed feature combined the strength of the concealed steel stage deck with the finish quality of scenic plywood fabrication, paintwork, carpet and vinyl graphics. Together, these elements created a substantial temporary centrepiece that worked confidently within the distinctive marine setting of Sentinel Barge.

Coordinating Steelwork And Scenic Carpentry

The relationship between the concealed steel structure and the visible plywood scenic construction was central to the fabrication approach. Each part of the platform needed to perform a different role while still reading as one complete scenic feature once installed.

The custom steel stage deck provided the supporting base beneath the raised platform. This concealed structure gave the scenic build the rigidity required to support the floor, steps, walling and fascia while allowing the finished platform to maintain a clean and controlled appearance.

Plywood construction was then developed around the steel deck to form the visible scenic surfaces. The steps, wall panels and fascia were fabricated to conceal the underlying support system and create a consistent architectural finish across the complete platform.

Alignment between these components was particularly important. The plywood steps needed to meet the raised deck cleanly, while the surrounding walls and fascia had to remain visually balanced around the central photo opportunity area.

Surface preparation also formed an important part of the finishing process. The plywood elements were prepared carefully before receiving the white paint finish, helping to minimise visible joints, fixing points and inconsistencies across the larger scenic surfaces.

The completed platform combined the structural strength of steelwork with the flexibility and finish quality of scenic carpentry. This allowed Evolution Scenic to create a substantial temporary structure that appeared simple and architectural while concealing the different fabrication systems required beneath the finished surface.

Building The Branded Presentation Environment

The photo opportunity platform formed the principal scenic centrepiece, but it was only one part of the wider branded environment developed across Sentinel Barge. Evolution Scenic extended the same visual language into the presentation areas so the different scenic zones remained clearly connected.

A custom-designed backdrop was fabricated for speeches and formal presentation use. The backdrop created a defined focal point within the interior and provided a clean scenic surface for the applied branding.

Vinyl graphics were applied across the visible front fascia of the backdrop, linking it directly with the branding used on the main photo opportunity platform. The combination of white scenic surfaces and blue graphic elements maintained a consistent visual identity across both areas.

Evolution Scenic also fabricated a custom scenic lectern for the presentation setting. The lectern incorporated the required presentation accessories and was finished in white paint, with vinyl graphics applied across the front face to match the surrounding scenic treatment.

Using the same finishes across the backdrop, lectern and main platform helped the different fabricated elements read as one coordinated package. Rather than treating each item as an isolated branding feature, the white-painted surfaces and blue vinyl graphics created continuity throughout the presentation environment.

Custom conference flags were positioned to either side of the presentation backdrop, introducing additional vertical branded elements around the focal area. Their placement helped frame the backdrop and lectern while extending the project identity beyond the main scenic surfaces.

Extending Branding Across Interior And Exterior Areas

The scenic scheme continued beyond the primary stage and backdrop areas, allowing the branding to remain visible throughout both the interior and exterior spaces of Sentinel Barge. Evolution Scenic used freestanding elements to extend the visual identity without relying on continuous scenic walling.

Branded totem display stands were installed at the entrance and within the interior spaces. These provided clear visual markers at transition points and helped connect the arrival areas with the main presentation and photo opportunity zones.

The totems followed the same white supporting forms and blue graphic treatment used across the larger scenic structures. Repeating these finishes helped maintain consistency between the stage, backdrops, lectern and smaller branded elements.

Outside, customised advertising flags were mounted on square bases and positioned around the barge area. These extended the project identity into the exterior approach and created a stronger visual link between the arrival route and the interior scenic environment.

Together, the entrance treatment, interior totems and exterior flags created a continuous branded route through the venue. Rather than concentrating all visual communication around the main platform, Evolution Scenic distributed the identity across key arrival, circulation and presentation areas.

Completing The Environment With Furniture And Florals

Evolution Furniture supplied the seating and styling package, completing the scenic environment with a coordinated selection of furniture, plinths and floral arrangements.

Custom sofa seating, tables and plinths were positioned around the principal scenic areas to support the hospitality setting. Their placement helped organise the space while maintaining clear visual relationships with the main backdrops, branded features and presentation zones.

Floral displays were incorporated as decorative elements throughout the environment. These introduced additional texture and detail, helping to soften the predominantly white scenic construction without competing with the primary branding.

The furniture remained visually restrained so that the blue graphic treatments and fabricated scenic backdrops continued to provide the strongest visual identity. Tables and plinths also created practical surfaces while complementing the clean geometric language of the surrounding scenic elements.

The collaboration between Evolution Scenic and Evolution Furniture allowed the fabricated structures, graphics, seating and decorative styling to operate as one coordinated environment, creating a more complete and polished setting across Sentinel Barge.

Installing Across A Non-Conventional Venue

Working aboard Sentinel Barge required the scenic package to respond carefully to an existing marine setting. The installation had to accommodate the vessel’s interior and exterior spaces while introducing temporary scenic structures without overwhelming the character of the location.

The custom steel platform, plywood steps, scenic walling, backdrops, lectern and branded signage were positioned across areas not originally designed as conventional event spaces. This required the different fabricated elements to be coordinated around the existing layout and available circulation areas.

Evolution Scenic installed both the exterior and interior scenic components, connecting the main photo opportunity platform with the separate presentation and arrival zones. The stage deck formed the structural base, with plywood floor surfaces, scenic walls and steps completed around it before the carpet, paint and vinyl finishes established the final appearance.

Freestanding elements, including branded totems and advertising flags, were distributed across the remaining areas. Their use allowed the branding to extend through the venue without introducing unnecessary full-height scenic construction in every space.

Following completion of the event, Evolution Scenic also handled the de-rig and removal of the temporary scenic package, completing the full delivery cycle from fabrication and installation through to final dismantling.

Delivering A Cohesive Branded Scenic Environment

The completed installation brought the different areas of Sentinel Barge together as one coordinated scenic environment, creating continuity between the arrival, presentation, hospitality and photo opportunity spaces.

The principal photo opportunity platform formed the strongest fabricated focal point. Its custom steel deck, carpeted plywood floor, white-painted steps and scenic walling created a controlled architectural setting within the more industrial surroundings of the barge.

The presentation backdrop and custom lectern established a related secondary zone, while freestanding totems, conference flags and exterior advertising flags carried the same visual identity through the wider venue. This ensured the branding remained consistent beyond the main platform.

Evolution Furniture’s sofa seating, tables, plinths and floral arrangements completed the interior environment, adding comfort and decorative detail while allowing the scenic structures and branded surfaces to remain visually dominant.

The project demonstrates how Evolution Scenic combined metalwork, scenic carpentry, paint finishes, flooring and graphics production into one temporary installation. Rather than treating the scope as a series of individual branding elements, the stage, walls, steps, fascia, lectern, totems and flags were developed to work together as a complete scenic system.

Building a Complete Waterfront Venue for Mubadala SailGP

For Mubadala SailGP 2024, Evolution Scenic designed, fabricated and installed a complete temporary scenic venue beside the docks at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The project required the existing tent structure to be transformed into a coordinated scenic environment rather than functioning as a standard temporary enclosure.

The scope extended beyond the principal presentation stage. The full interior and exterior were developed to support presentation, hospitality, display and interactive activity areas, with the different spaces connected through a consistent architectural, material and graphic language.

Evolution Scenic handled the complete scenic scope from design development and technical planning through workshop fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig. This allowed the stage, walling, display elements and bespoke interactive features to be developed as parts of one integrated temporary scenic system.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, while Evolution Furniture provided the furniture for both indoor and outdoor areas. These related packages were coordinated within the wider scenic installation so that technical equipment, furniture placement, circulation and fabricated scenic structures worked together across the venue.

The completed environment combined a curved stage, custom scenic backdrops, three-metre-high walling, branded display plinths, a water-play feature, a Marlin Spike knot-tying station, tent graphics and external flags. Together, these elements established a complete waterfront venue with a consistent scenic identity across the presentation, hospitality and activity areas

Converting the Temporary Tent into a Scenic Environment

The temporary tent provided the basic venue enclosure, but the existing structure did not create the required interior environment on its own. Evolution Scenic introduced a three-metre-high walling system around the venue. The walls concealed or integrated the existing perimeter while establishing a controlled surface for graphics and dimensional finishes.

Each wall was constructed around a plywood internal structure and clad with MDF. Freestanding walls received MDF cladding on both faces because both sides remained visible. Sections positioned against existing tent walls were clad on one face only.

This distinction was important to the manufacturing strategy. It allowed the amount of material and workshop labour to respond to each wall’s actual position without reducing the quality of the visible surfaces. The finished elevations incorporated prefabricated plastic wood-effect slatted panels across the upper and lower sections. Branded vinyl graphics occupied the central zone.

The horizontal arrangement gave the walls a consistent structure throughout the venue.

Dimensional slats provided texture and shadow, while the central vinyl areas carried the principal graphic content. Repeated datum lines were required across adjacent wall sections so the three finish zones remained aligned after installation.

Curved Stage Scenic Architecture

The principal stage measured 13.5 metres wide by 3.8 metres deep and was developed with a curved front edge to create a broad presentation platform within the hospitality environment. The curved geometry gave the stage a more architectural profile and helped establish a clear focal point within the wider temporary venue.

The stage deck was finished with vinyl flooring, creating a continuous and controlled surface across the full platform. This finish also provided a clean visual base for the presentation area and supported the coordinated graphic treatment used throughout the surrounding scenic environment.

A custom MDF display plinth was positioned on the stage as part of the overall composition. Its top surface was finished in white vinyl, while branded vinyl graphics were applied around the visible faces, allowing the plinth to sit naturally within the same material and graphic language as the stage and adjoining scenic elements.

At the centre of the stage, a 4.5-metre-wide by 2-metre-high LED screen supplied by Evolution Technical formed the principal digital focal point. The display was supported on a steel deck structure, while Evolution Scenic fabricated scenic return panels around the installation to conceal the technical depth and create a more resolved architectural finish.

The scenic return panels were finished in white paint and incorporated an access door within the side return wall. This maintained the visual continuity of the stage elevation while allowing technicians to reach the area behind the LED screen without leaving an exposed service opening within the scenic composition.

The curved stage, display plinth, LED screen, steel support and scenic returns were coordinated as one integrated assembly. Accurate workshop setting-out and on-site positioning were required to maintain the stage geometry, screen centreline, return-panel alignment and relationship with the surrounding scenic backdrops.

Scenic Backdrop Composition

Two custom MDF scenic backdrops were fabricated to frame the central LED screen and complete the overall stage elevation. Positioned on either side of the display, the backdrops helped establish a defined architectural composition across the full width of the presentation area.

The backdrop surfaces combined branded vinyl graphics with painted strip detailing, creating greater visual depth than a single flat graphic finish. This mixture of applied graphics and painted elements introduced variation across the scenic surfaces while maintaining a controlled and consistent finish.

The linear painted detailing also connected the stage treatment with the wider architectural language used throughout the venue. Repeating this visual approach helped the backdrops relate to the surrounding walling, display elements and other fabricated scenic components rather than appearing as isolated stage features.

Because the two backdrops were positioned on opposite sides of the LED screen, dimensional and graphic consistency was important during both fabrication and installation. Their overall heights, graphic positions, painted strip details and spacing needed to remain visually balanced around the central display.

Once installed, the twin MDF backdrops, central LED screen and curved stage operated as one coordinated scenic composition. The relationship between these elements created a complete presentation elevation in which the fabricated backdrops framed the technical display while reinforcing the wider scenic identity of the venue.

Creating a Family of Branded Display Plinths

Evolution Scenic fabricated a series of custom display plinths in different sizes to support object presentation throughout the venue. Although the units varied in scale, they were developed as one coordinated scenic family so they could be distributed across different areas without disrupting the overall visual language.

Each plinth was fabricated from MDF, providing a clean and stable substrate for the applied finishes. The upper surfaces were finished in white vinyl, while branded vinyl graphics were wrapped around the surrounding faces to connect the units directly with the wider project identity.

The white top surfaces created a neutral display plane that allowed the featured objects to remain visually prominent. At the same time, the branded side elevations linked the plinths with the surrounding scenic walling and stage graphics, helping them read as integrated architectural display elements.

Two separate mannequin base plinths were also produced as part of the scenic scope. These units were finished entirely in white vinyl, giving them a simpler treatment while maintaining consistency with the clean upper surfaces used across the wider display system.

By extending custom-fabricated display elements into the centre of the floorplan, the project identity continued beyond the perimeter walling and presentation stage. The plinths helped connect the display areas with the wider scenic architecture and reinforced a consistent branded environment across the interior.

Bespoke Interactive Scenic Fabrication

Evolution Scenic fabricated two bespoke interactive scenic elements specifically for the project: a toy boat water-play table and a Marlin Spike knot-tying station. Both were developed as purpose-built features and required different structural and finishing approaches from the surrounding scenic walling, stage and display elements.

The toy boat table was constructed around a timber-framed structure with MDF cladding, while the lower section received a painted finish. The raised table portion measured 250 millimetres high and incorporated a shallow water area with an operating depth of 90 millimetres, introducing a functional wet zone within the scenic build.

Fibre layers were applied internally to provide waterproofing, while CNC-cut MDF panels formed the visible external faces of the upper section. This separation between the internal basin and decorative outer treatment allowed the water-play feature to remain functional while maintaining the same fabrication quality and visual language as the wider venue.

The Marlin Spike knot-tying station used a different construction method, with a black-painted steel frame providing the principal structural support. MDF cladding enclosed the frame and created the finished scenic surfaces, while branded vinyl graphics were applied across the visible faces to integrate the station with the surrounding environment.

Eye bolts were incorporated directly into the Marlin Spike structure as connection points for the ropes, allowing the functional elements to become part of the fabricated assembly. Together, the two installations combined timber construction, steel fabrication, MDF cladding, CNC production, waterproofing, painted finishes and applied graphics within two custom interactive scenic features.

Extending the Scenic Treatment Outside the Tent

The exterior of the temporary venue formed an important part of the overall scenic delivery, allowing the project identity to extend beyond the internal hospitality environment. Rather than treating the tent as a neutral enclosure, Evolution Scenic incorporated the external structure into the wider branded architectural treatment.

The complete tent structure was wrapped with branded vinyl graphics, transforming the standard temporary enclosure into a recognisable project environment. This treatment established the venue identity from the exterior and created a consistent visual connection with the graphics, wall finishes and scenic elements used inside.

Freestanding branded flags were also positioned around the external approach to strengthen the arrival experience. Each flag was supported on a square base, allowing the units to remain independent from the tent structure while providing flexibility in their placement across the surrounding area.

The combination of full-height tent graphics and freestanding flags created a clear transition between the surrounding waterfront setting and the completed scenic interior. These elements helped define the venue perimeter and visually guide the approach without relying solely on the internal stage or walling.

By extending the scenic treatment to the exterior, the project maintained a continuous branded language across both indoor and outdoor areas. The tent wrap and flag installations ensured that the temporary architecture operated as one complete scenic environment rather than separating the external enclosure from the interior fabrication.

Integrating Technical Equipment and Furniture

The project required close coordination across the scenic, technical and furniture packages so that each element could operate within the same temporary environment. Rather than being treated as independent components, the stage, screens, furniture, walling and display features were planned around a shared floorplan and overall scenic layout.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, including the principal display positioned within the stage composition. Evolution Scenic integrated the main screen through the steel deck support, white-painted scenic return panels and side access door, allowing the technical installation to sit cleanly within the surrounding stage architecture.

Evolution Furniture supplied the furniture for both the indoor and outdoor hospitality areas. The furniture was positioned within the completed scenic environment so that seating groups, tables and other elements worked with the established circulation routes, presentation areas and display zones.

This coordination was particularly important within the temporary tent, where the stage, custom walling, freestanding plinths, interactive installations and furniture all occupied defined areas within the same interior. Careful placement helped maintain clear movement through the venue while preserving the intended relationships between the different scenic and functional zones.

The completed environment therefore depended on the integration of constructed scenic elements with technical equipment and movable furniture. By coordinating these packages within one spatial arrangement, the venue maintained a consistent relationship between stage architecture, branded displays, hospitality areas and interactive features.

Installing the Complete Venue

Evolution Scenic delivered the complete scenic installation at Emirates Palace, bringing together the stage, scenic backdrops, custom walling, display plinths and bespoke interactive elements within one coordinated temporary environment. The principal components were prefabricated in advance before being assembled, aligned and finished on site.

The walling system was installed according to the conditions established during technical development. Freestanding wall sections received double-sided cladding where both faces remained visible, while single-sided units were positioned against the existing tent perimeter to suit the surrounding venue structure.

The stage installation was coordinated with the LED screen and its steel support system. Scenic return panels were positioned around the display to conceal its technical depth while preserving access through the integrated side door, allowing the screen assembly to remain functional without interrupting the finished stage elevation.

The toy boat water-play table required careful placement as both a fabricated scenic feature and a contained water installation. Externally, branded vinyl graphics were applied across the tent structure, while square-based flags were positioned around the approach to extend the scenic identity beyond the interior environment.

Once the complete venue installation was finished, the stage architecture, walling, display elements, interactive features, technical equipment and external branding operated as one coordinated scenic system. Evolution Scenic also managed the scenic de-rig after the project, while the wider venue delivery included golf-cart transport between the parking area and the waterfront location.

Building a Complete Pre-COP28 Conference Environment

The Pre-COP28 Conference took place at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on 30–31 October 2023, requiring a complete temporary environment across several indoor and outdoor areas. Evolution Scenic delivered the full scenic scope, creating coordinated spaces for the main conference, meetings, hospitality and cultural displays.

Evolution Scenic managed the project from design development through scenic fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig. The scope extended beyond the main stage to include three enclosed meeting rooms, entrance features, outdoor seating environments, photo opportunity settings and custom product displays.

The fabrication programme brought together several scenic construction disciplines. Custom steelwork was used for the main stage and selected platforms, while timber framing, MDF cladding, fabric finishes, vinyl graphics, painted surfaces and bespoke scenic joinery were used across the surrounding environments.

The meeting rooms and outdoor lounge areas introduced different forms of temporary architecture. Three-metre-high fabric-finished wall systems created enclosed meeting spaces, while timber-framed outdoor structures with fabric treatments and three-dimensional branding created more open hospitality and cultural environments.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens and supporting steelwork, including the large curved main-stage display. Evolution Furniture provided the loose furniture throughout the indoor and outdoor areas, allowing the scenic, technical and furniture packages to operate as one coordinated temporary installation.

Delivering the Environment Within Fourteen Days

The complete Pre-COP28 scenic environment was delivered within a 14-day programme, requiring design development, technical coordination, material preparation, workshop fabrication, graphics production and site installation to progress within a tightly controlled sequence.

The main-stage package combined custom steel decking, plywood, MDF skimming, carpet finishes and integrated LED step lighting. At the same time, the three meeting rooms required timber-framed wall construction, MDF cladding, fabric finishes, glass partitions and rear truss support.

Outdoor seating structures, entrance features, photo opportunity elements and product-display areas introduced additional fabrication methods and finishing processes. Timber framing, painted MDF, printed vinyl, fabric treatments and three-dimensional branding all needed to be produced alongside the larger structural packages.

The compressed programme therefore depended on dividing the project into coordinated fabrication packages that could progress in parallel before installation. Maintaining consistency across materials, finishes, graphics and branding was essential so that the different spaces still read as one complete conference environment.

Evolution Scenic coordinated the scenic delivery with Evolution Technical’s LED screen and support systems and Evolution Furniture’s loose furniture package. This allowed the stage, meeting rooms, outdoor areas and display environments to be brought together within the same 14-day delivery period.

Engineering the Curved Main Stage and Frameless LED Screen

The main conference setting centred on a 29-metre curved stage aligned with a matching curved LED screen, creating the principal architectural focus within the Pre-COP28 environment. The scale of both elements meant that the stage geometry, screen positioning and surrounding scenic construction needed to be developed as one coordinated composition.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the stage using a custom steel deck system, providing the primary structural platform for the presentation area. Plywood decking was fixed over the steel frame, followed by an MDF skimming layer that created a smoother and more consistent substrate for the final carpet finish while reducing the visual effect of joints within the underlying deck.

The front edge and access steps followed the same curved geometry as the main platform, maintaining continuity across the full stage profile. LED lighting was integrated into the step fascia, clearly defining the access points while introducing a controlled illuminated detail into the otherwise restrained stage construction.

The 29-metre curved LED screen was supplied by Evolution Technical and supported by steelwork positioned behind the display. No scenic screen returns or surrounding frame were installed, allowing the screen itself to remain the dominant visual plane within the conference setting and giving the stage a cleaner, frameless appearance.

Because the screen was left visually exposed at its edges, the relationship between the stage curve, LED geometry and rear support structure required careful coordination. Any dimensional inconsistency between the platform and display would have remained visible across the full width of the installation, particularly where the curved elements met the surrounding scenic walls.

The completed stage created a continuous relationship between the carpeted presentation platform, frameless LED display and illuminated access points. The result was a large-scale conference setting in which structural steelwork, scenic finishing and technical integration were combined into one controlled stage environment.

Enclosing and Branding the Main Conference Stage

Steel-framed scenic walls were installed along both sides of the main conference area to define the presentation zone and complete the overall stage environment. Their scale helped integrate the curved stage and LED screen into a controlled architectural setting rather than leaving them as isolated technical elements.

The wall structures received fabric finishes, creating broad and visually consistent surfaces around the stage. Fabric was used as an architectural scenic treatment, producing a clean enclosure while allowing the 29-metre curved LED screen to remain the dominant visual feature within the conference setting.

Because the LED display was designed without conventional scenic screen returns, the relationship between the frameless screen, adjacent fabric-finished walls and curved stage required careful coordination. The transitions between these elements needed to remain visually controlled so that the complete composition read as one continuous scenic environment.

A custom lectern was fabricated from MDF and positioned within the main presentation area. Branded vinyl was applied to the front fascia, while the internal surfaces received a painted finish, creating a compact branded element within the much larger stage composition.

The completed environment combined the frameless curved LED display, fabric-finished scenic walls, carpeted stage and custom lectern into one restrained conference setting. Branding was incorporated directly into the scenic construction without introducing unnecessary additional structures around the principal screen.

Creating Three Enclosed Meeting Rooms

Evolution Scenic fabricated three enclosed meeting rooms, each measuring 11 by 14 metres, creating substantial temporary interiors within the wider Pre-COP28 environment. Their scale required a more developed scenic construction approach than standard event partitions.

Each room was formed using three-metre-high scenic walls built from timber-framed construction. MDF cladding created the finished wall faces before fabric was applied across the visible surfaces, producing a controlled and consistent interior finish.

Rear truss supports were installed behind the wall structures to provide additional support while keeping the structural system concealed from the main meeting spaces. This allowed the visible interior surfaces to remain clean and uninterrupted.

Painted three-dimensional cut-out logos were mounted onto the fabric-finished walls as integrated branding elements. The raised logos introduced depth and shadow without relying on additional printed graphic panels.

Together, the timber framing, MDF cladding, fabric finishes, rear truss support and dimensional branding created three fully defined temporary meeting environments. The construction provided a consistent scenic language across all three rooms while maintaining a restrained conference setting.

Completing the Meeting-Room Interiors

Each meeting room incorporated fabric-finished scenic walls on three sides, creating a controlled interior environment consistent with the wider Pre-COP28 visual language. The wall treatment helped give the rooms a more complete temporary architectural character rather than functioning as simple partitioned spaces.

The fourth side of each room used an aluminium-framed glass partition fitted with curtains. This provided a lighter visual boundary while allowing the glazed elevation to be screened when additional privacy was required during meetings.

Evolution Scenic fabricated custom meeting tables from birch plywood and finished them with a natural wood appearance. The material introduced a warmer finish within the predominantly fabric-lined interiors while allowing each table to be manufactured specifically for the meeting-room layout.

Freestanding air-conditioning units were positioned within the rooms to support the enclosed temporary environment. Branded flags and planter boxes were placed at the corners, introducing vertical graphic and planting elements without reducing the usable central meeting area.

Loose chairs and supporting furniture were supplied by Evolution Furniture and coordinated with the custom tables and scenic surroundings. Together, the fabric walling, glazed partitions, bespoke tables, branded elements and furniture created three consistent and fully developed meeting-room interiors.

Fabricating the Entrance and Photo Opportunity Features

The arrival environment included a custom entrance arch wall developed as one of the principal branded scenic features within the Pre-COP28 venue. Its scale and position helped define the transition into the conference environment while carrying the project identity across a clear architectural form.

The entrance structure was fabricated from metal framing and clad with MDF to create the finished scenic surfaces. Applied vinyl graphics were used across the visible faces, allowing the branding to become part of the structure rather than being introduced as separate signage.

A separate photo opportunity area was built around a custom steel-deck platform topped with plywood. The platform was skimmed with MDF before receiving a painted finish, creating a smooth scenic surface that differed from the carpeted construction used on the main conference stage.

Behind the platform, a printed-fabric backdrop formed the principal scenic wall of the photo opportunity setting. The large-format fabric treatment provided a continuous graphic surface, while a centrally positioned logo established a clear branded focal point within the composition.

Together, the entrance arch and photo opportunity area extended the project identity beyond the main conference and meeting spaces. Their combination of metalwork, MDF cladding, printed graphics, fabric finishes and custom platform construction demonstrated the use of different scenic fabrication methods across the wider venue.

Constructing the Outdoor Seating Environments

The outdoor seating areas were organised around round scenic structures that created a distinct lounge setting within the wider Pre-COP28 environment. Their curved form introduced a softer architectural language than the rectangular meeting rooms while still maintaining a clear relationship with the overall project design.

Each structure was fabricated using white-painted timber framing combined with fabric finishes. The open construction defined the seating areas without creating fully enclosed rooms, allowing the lounge environments to remain visually connected to the surrounding outdoor setting.

A central back panel was incorporated into each structure and used as the main branded focal point. Painted three-dimensional cut-out logos were mounted onto these panels, introducing depth and a more physical form of branding than flat printed graphics.

The combination of curved timber framing, fabric treatments and three-dimensional branding created a recognisable scenic identity across the outdoor areas. These elements allowed the lounge structures to function as temporary architectural features while remaining visually consistent with the wider conference environment.

Furniture within the outdoor lounge settings was supplied by Evolution Furniture and positioned within the fabricated scenic structures. The final arrangement brought together scenic framing, branded back panels and loose furniture to create coordinated hospitality spaces within the external venue areas.

Producing Product Displays and Cultural Features

The product-display areas combined printed graphic surfaces with custom scenic joinery, creating a series of integrated presentation features within the wider Pre-COP28 environment. Rather than relying on standalone commercial display units, the shelving and plinths were developed as part of the scenic composition.

Backdrop structures were finished with printed vinyl, allowing detailed imagery and branded content to be applied directly across the main display surfaces. These graphic treatments provided a controlled visual background for the products while remaining consistent with the broader conference identity.

Custom shelves were manufactured from MDF and finished with paint before being integrated into the display backdrops. This allowed the displayed items to sit within purpose-built scenic structures rather than on separate furniture, giving the presentation areas a more considered architectural character.

Freestanding display plinths were also fabricated from MDF and finished with textured paint. The textured surface introduced additional material depth and helped distinguish the plinths from the flatter printed and painted surfaces used elsewhere in the display areas.

Selected cultural elements incorporated traditional Emirati motifs and materials, as noted in the original project information. VIP welcome features also included custom baskets containing locally sourced products, extending the cultural presentation into the hospitality experience without relying solely on graphic branding.

Coordinating Scenic, Technical and Furniture Delivery

The project brought together three specialist Evolution divisions, allowing the scenic, technical and furniture packages to be developed as part of one coordinated delivery. This approach was particularly important because the main stage, meeting rooms, outdoor lounges and display environments all depended on different fabrication and installation requirements.

Evolution Scenic managed the complete scenic scope, from design development and workshop fabrication through graphics production, installation and de-rig. This included the main stage construction, scenic walling, meeting-room environments, entrance features, photo opportunity structures, outdoor lounge elements and custom product displays.

Evolution Technical provided the 29-metre curved LED screen together with the associated display systems and rear support structures. Close coordination between the technical package and scenic construction was required to align the curved screen accurately with the stage geometry and surrounding fabric-finished walls.

Evolution Furniture supplied the loose furniture used throughout the conference, meeting and outdoor lounge areas. These elements were coordinated with the fabricated scenic structures so that the final spaces functioned as complete environments rather than as separate scenic and furniture installations.

The finished project combined a 29-metre curved stage and frameless LED screen, three large meeting rooms, outdoor lounge structures, branded entrance architecture, photo opportunity features and custom display areas within a 14-day delivery programme. The result demonstrated how coordinated scenic fabrication, technical integration and furniture delivery can support a multi-zone temporary conference environment.