Building An Interactive Exhibition Environment For UNIDO In Abu Dhabi

The 18th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization took place at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi from 3–7 November 2019. The conference focused on “Industry 2030 – Innovate. Connect. Transform our Future”, with the exhibition environment providing a physical setting for the different areas of the programme. 

Evolution Scenic was tasked with constructing the exhibition space within the Emirates Palace atrium. The scope extended across seven themed hubs covering Gender, Youth & Entrepreneurship, Circular Economy, Industry 4.0, Industrial Parks, Sustainable Energy and Partnerships.

The challenge was not simply to create visual backdrops. The scenic construction needed to accommodate interactive technology, display content and dedicated exhibition areas while remaining integrated with the existing architecture of the atrium.

Creating Seven Distinct Scenic Hubs

The exhibition was organised around seven subject areas, each requiring a clearly defined physical environment. Evolution Scenic constructed custom scenic panels and interactive stations for the individual hubs, creating a consistent architectural language across the exhibition while allowing each subject to retain its own identity.

The fabricated panels provided the physical framework for the information and interactive content presented throughout the space. This approach allowed the exhibition to function as a connected environment rather than a series of unrelated graphic displays.

Integrating Technology Into Scenic Construction

Interactive technology formed a significant part of the installation. Touchscreens, large displays, AI stations and personal iPads with headsets were incorporated into the scenic environment. The technology therefore became part of the physical construction rather than being positioned independently around the exhibition.

Custom mounting systems were required to hold the different interfaces within the scenic elements, allowing the displays to remain integrated with the individual themed areas.

From a scenic fabrication perspective, this creates a different set of requirements from a conventional decorative wall. The fabricated structure has to provide the necessary physical support while also accommodating the technology and maintaining the intended visual composition.

Fabricating The Photo Gallery

Alongside the seven themed hubs, Evolution Scenic fabricated a dedicated gallery space for Elisabetta Lattanzio Illy’s photographic exhibition. The gallery incorporated custom display structures to present the photographic work within the wider exhibition environment. 

This extended the fabrication scope into a different form of exhibition construction, where the scenic elements needed to provide an appropriate framework for the displayed works while maintaining continuity with the surrounding installation.

Working Within The Emirates Palace Atrium

The installation was constructed within the existing Emirates Palace atrium, meaning the scenic environment had to work with the architecture and circulation of the venue. The source specifically confirms that the scenic elements were designed and installed while maintaining guest flow and functionality. 

This is an important aspect of exhibition fabrication. Large scenic structures need to create visual definition without unnecessarily obstructing movement or compromising the operation of the surrounding venue.

The installation therefore combined physical separation, display infrastructure and interactive technology while retaining functional circulation through the space.

Delivering Against A Tight Production Timeline

Evolution Scenic delivered the project against a tight production timeline, requiring the scenic components to be fabricated and installed efficiently while maintaining structural integrity.  The combination of seven themed hubs, interactive technology, a dedicated photo gallery and wider atrium fit-out created multiple interfaces that needed to work together as one completed exhibition. The supplied project information does not provide the detailed fabrication schedule, installation duration or crew structure, so those elements are not assumed here.

A Fabricated Environment For Interactive Exhibition Content

The completed UNIDO exhibition transformed the Emirates Palace atrium into a purpose-built scenic environment. Seven themed hubs provided the principal structure, while interactive technology and custom display systems were incorporated into the fabrication. A dedicated photo-gallery fit-out added another layer of custom exhibition construction. 

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic's ability to take an exhibition concept and translate it into a fabricated physical environment, combining scenic panels, display structures and technical interfaces within an existing venue.

DESIGNING THE ICE FUTURES SCENIC ENVIRONMENT AT ADGM

ICE Futures Abu Dhabi launched at ADGM on 29 March 2021.

Evolution Scenic developed the scenic design and delivered the complete scenic environment, taking responsibility for the physical integration of the stage architecture, scenic walls, screen surrounds, lecterns, branded structures and flooring. The completed scope included the main stage deck, curved steps, curved backdrop and screen surround, front branded fascia, lecterns, side scenic walls, additional branded scenic structures and flooring.

The environment was developed as a coordinated temporary architectural system rather than a series of independent event components. This required the stage geometry, scenic wall profiles, technical screen openings, branding positions, material transitions and floor finishes to operate as one continuous composition. The project programme was one month, covering the development and delivery of the scenic package at the ADGM venue in Abu Dhabi.

FABRICATING THE CURVED BACKDROP AND SCREEN SURROUNDS

Evolution Scenic fabricated the principal curved scenic backdrop and screen-surround structures using a combination of MDF, plywood, timber framing and metal framing. Timber framing provided the structural basis for much of the scenic construction, while MDF and plywood created the visible architectural surfaces required for paint, laminate and graphic finishes.

Metal framing was incorporated where additional rigidity or structural support was required within the scenic assembly. Producing the curved backdrop required the framing and surface layers to remain dimensionally coordinated. The supporting structure had to maintain the intended scenic profile while providing sufficiently stable surfaces for the final finish.

The large screen openings introduced additional interface requirements. Scenic edges around technical equipment must remain visually clean while allowing the technical systems to sit correctly within the surrounding architecture. The resulting construction combined conventional scenic carpentry with structural support, curved fabrication and accurate finishing around integrated audiovisual elements.

PU PAINT, GRAPHICS AND FINISHING

PU paint provided the principal high-quality scenic finish across the fabricated environment. Large scenic surfaces require careful substrate preparation before painting. Panel joints, fixing points, edge conditions and transitions between individual fabricated sections must be prepared so that they do not remain visible through the final coating. The quality of the painted finish therefore depends heavily on the accuracy of the underlying scenic carpentry.

Vinyl graphics and printed panels were applied to selected surfaces to introduce project identity and detailed branding. Laminate provided an alternative decorative surface where required, introducing additional material variation within the overall scenic package. Illuminated branding added a further layer of fabrication by incorporating light directly into selected branded elements.

These finishes were coordinated across the backdrop, stage fascia, lecterns, side walls and supporting scenic structures to maintain a consistent visual language. The finished result depended on control at every stage, from framing and sheeting through surface preparation, paint application, graphic positioning and final installation.

FABRICATING LECTERNS, SIDE WALLS AND BRANDED ELEMENTS

The main stage environment was supported by a wider package of custom scenic elements. Evolution Scenic fabricated lecterns that followed the same material and branding language as the principal stage. Because lecterns are positioned close to presenters and cameras, their visible faces, joints, graphic alignment and finished edges form an important part of the overall scenic quality.

Side scenic walls extended the architectural language beyond the central backdrop and helped define the boundaries of the presentation environment. Additional branded structures allowed project identity to be incorporated throughout the physical setting rather than being concentrated only around the central screens. Flooring completed the lower visual plane of the environment and helped connect the audience-facing floor treatment with the stage, steps and surrounding scenic structures.

Together, these elements created continuity across the full scenic package.

FABRICATING THE SUPPORTING SCENIC ELEMENTS

The main backdrop was supported by a broader group of fabricated elements. Custom lecterns provided dedicated presentation positions while retaining the same visual identity as the stage. Side scenic walls extended the architecture beyond the principal screen area and helped establish the boundaries of the environment.

Additional branded scenic structures provided further opportunities to integrate identity into the physical space. Flooring completed the composition at ground level, allowing the scenic environment to read continuously from the audience-facing floor through to the raised stage and backdrop.

The project used a broad scenic material palette.MDF and plywood formed the principal sheet materials, supported by timber and metal framing. Acrylic, fabric and laminate were incorporated within the wider scenic package. Selecting the appropriate material for each component allowed Evolution Scenic to combine large architectural surfaces with smaller fabricated details and branded elements. The finished environment therefore depended not on one construction method but on the controlled integration of several scenic disciplines.

INSTALLING THE ENVIRONMENT AT ADGM

The scenic package was installed at the ADGM venue in Abu Dhabi. The overall project programme was one month. During installation, protection was applied to the existing floors and walls to reduce the risk of damage while scenic sections, stage components and finished structures were moved through the venue and positioned. The stage deck, curved scenic elements, screen surrounds, steps, fascia, lecterns, walls and flooring were then brought together on site. Evolution Technical’s screen systems were coordinated with the scenic works during the installation process.

DELIVERING A COMPLETE TEMPORARY SCENIC SYSTEM

The completed ICE Futures environment demonstrates how conference scenery can be approached as temporary architecture rather than conventional event dressing. The stage deck, curved steps, screen surrounds, backdrop, front fascia, lecterns, side scenic walls, graphics, illuminated branding and flooring were developed as interconnected elements within one physical system.

The project combined scenic design development, timber fabrication, metal framing, curved scenic construction, substrate preparation, PU finishing, graphics, branded fabrication and audiovisual integration. Evolution Scenic delivered the scenic architecture, while Evolution Technical supplied the screens incorporated within the finished environment. The resulting installation depended on accurate coordination between structural framing, visible scenic surfaces, technical interfaces and final finishes.

For Evolution Scenic, ICE Futures Abu Dhabi demonstrates the technical value of controlling the complete scenic process from design development through workshop fabrication, finishing and installation within an existing venue.

Why A Great Render Doesn’t Always Make A Great Scenic Build

Renders are incredibly useful. They help communicate ideas, establish visual direction and allow clients, designers and fabrication teams to understand an environment before anything is manufactured. A strong render can explain scale, composition, colour, branding, lighting and atmosphere more effectively than pages of written description.

It can also create the impression that the project has already been resolved. That is where problems can begin. A render only needs to look convincing from a chosen viewpoint. A scenic structure must be engineered, fabricated, transported, installed and operated safely in the real world. It has to stand correctly, fit through the available access routes, respond to the venue conditions and perform reliably throughout its intended use.

The difference between those two requirements matters. A beautifully rendered structure may contain large unsupported elements, extremely slender profiles or apparently seamless surfaces. Materials with completely different weights and structural properties may look identical on screen. Connections, access panels, lifting points, base plates, ballast, service routes and installation tolerances are often invisible.

This does not make the render inaccurate. It simply means the render represents the visual intention of the project rather than the complete solution. 

A Render Communicates Intent, Not Construction

A render is usually designed to answer visual questions. What will the environment look like? How will the main feature appear within the venue? Does the branding feel integrated? Are the proportions, finishes and lighting appropriate?

Those are important questions, but they are not the same questions a fabrication team must answer.

Fabricators need to understand what supports the structure, how loads travel through it, where components divide, how the finishes are applied and how the entire environment will be assembled. They also need to consider whether the structure can be transported efficiently and installed within the time, access and working restrictions of the venue.

Perspective, lighting and camera position can conceal many of these practical issues. A cantilever may look lightweight because its support is outside the rendered viewpoint. A wall may appear perfectly smooth because no joints are visible. A suspended feature may look effortless even though the venue does not permit rigging in the required location.

The render may still communicate the correct design. It simply cannot communicate every technical condition at the same time.

Technical Development Turns The Concept Into A Buildable System

Technical development is the process that connects visual ambition with physical reality. At Evolution Scenic, this stage involves examining the rendered concept and identifying how it can be divided into components that are practical to manufacture, transport and assemble. Structural grids, framing systems, connection details, access panels, service routes and installation tolerances begin to replace visual assumptions with defined construction information.

This is not about redesigning the concept unnecessarily. The objective is to preserve the qualities that make the render effective while developing a build methodology that works outside the image. The overall form, proportion and finish may remain unchanged, even though the structure behind them develops considerably.

Large scenic forms may need to be divided into transportable modules. Apparently seamless surfaces may require carefully positioned joints. Curved elements may be developed as CNC-machined ribs, rolled metal frames, laminated timber forms or lightweight composite skins, depending on the scale and performance required.

The better this technical development is resolved, the fewer surprises are likely to emerge in the workshop or during installation.

Engineering Reviews Reveal What The Image Cannot Show

Engineering reviews are particularly important for large activations, temporary public structures, parade floats and exhibition environments. A visual element that appears simple may introduce significant structural questions. Its height, weight, centre of gravity, supporting surface and exposure to movement or wind can all affect how it should be constructed.

The engineering process considers load paths, bracing, connection strength, base conditions and overall stability. It may also examine dynamic forces created by moving platforms, suspended components or interactive elements. For temporary structures, the engineering solution must often work without permanent connections to the venue. This can require carefully designed base frames, ballast systems or temporary fixings that remain concealed within the finished scenic treatment.

The most successful engineering solutions are rarely the most visible. They allow the completed structure to retain the apparent simplicity of the render while providing the support and stability that the physical environment requires. 

Material Selection Is About More Than Appearance

Materials that look similar in a render may behave very differently during fabrication.

A surface represented as a single coloured plane could potentially be manufactured from plywood, MDF, aluminium composite panel, sheet metal, fabric, acrylic, fibreglass or another specialist scenic material. Each option introduces different implications for weight, strength, finish quality, fire performance, transport and installation.

Material selection should therefore begin with the role the component needs to perform. A structural frame may require steel where rigidity is important, while aluminium may be more suitable where weight reduction and repeated handling are priorities. CNC-machined timber components may provide an efficient way to create complex geometry, while lightweight cladding can reduce pressure on supporting frames and installation crews.

The finish matters as well. High-contact areas may require greater durability than surfaces positioned beyond reach. Components intended for repeated use need finishes that can survive transportation, storage, touch-ups and multiple installation cycles. A render shows how the material should appear. Technical development determines what that material should actually be.

Venue Restrictions Shape The Build

A structure may fit comfortably within the final exhibition hall while being impossible to move through the loading bay that serves it.

This is one of the most common differences between rendered scale and installation reality.

Loading-door dimensions, goods lifts, corridors, turning circles, ceiling heights and floor loading restrictions can all influence how scenic elements must be divided. Venue rules may also restrict hot works, noisy operations, overhead lifting or the use of certain equipment.

These conditions should be reviewed before fabrication begins.

Large scenic features often need to be designed as a sequence of smaller modules that can move through the available access routes and then connect accurately on site. The location of those divisions must be coordinated with structural requirements, scenic finishes and the final viewing angles.

Good modularization should not make the completed structure look modular. Joints can be concealed within graphic lines, shadow gaps, changes in material or natural divisions in the design. When access constraints are considered early, they become part of the methodology rather than an installation-day problem.

Installation Methodology Should Influence The Design

A scenic structure is not fully resolved until there is a practical plan for assembling it.

Installation methodology considers the sequence in which components arrive, how they are unloaded, where they are temporarily stored and how they connect. It also identifies the crew, tools, access equipment and lifting methods required.

The order of assembly can influence the design itself.

Some connections must remain accessible until later stages of the installation. Electrical or lighting systems may need to be installed before cladding closes the structure. Large components may require lifting points, temporary braces or alignment features that disappear once the build is complete.

Workshop pre-assembly is often valuable because it allows modules, finishes and connection details to be tested in a controlled environment. Components can be labelled, adjusted and packed according to the installation sequence before reaching site.

This preparation is particularly important where venue access is limited or installation programmes are compressed. Every issue resolved in the workshop is one less issue competing for attention on site.

Value Engineering Should Protect The Visual Intent

Value engineering is sometimes misunderstood as a process of making the project cheaper by removing quality. Done properly, it is the process of identifying what matters most within the concept and finding the most efficient way to deliver it.

The fabrication team may determine that an expensive material is only required in high-visibility areas, while a more practical alternative can be used elsewhere. Repeated components may be standardised. Hidden framing may be simplified. A heavy construction method may be replaced with a lighter modular system that produces the same finished appearance.

The objective is not to weaken the render. It is to protect the qualities that make the render successful while reducing unnecessary cost, weight, labour or installation risk. Early value engineering also gives clients and designers more control. Decisions can be reviewed while there is still time to compare options, rather than being forced during fabrication or installation. 

Different Scenic Projects Expose Different Challenges

The gap between a render and a build appears differently depending on the project.

A large brand activation may contain dramatic cantilevers, integrated screens and complex illuminated surfaces. A public structure may need to account for weather exposure, public interaction and concealed ballast. An exhibition environment may be governed by strict loading schedules, limited access and venue regulations.

Parade floats introduce another layer of complexity. The scenic structure must respond to acceleration, braking, vibration, cornering and changing wind conditions while remaining within the limits of the vehicle platform.

In each case, the render remains an essential communication tool. It establishes the ambition. The fabrication process determines how that ambition can perform safely and successfully.

Collaboration Produces Better Builds

The strongest projects are rarely those where nothing changes after the render.

They are the projects where designers, engineers and scenic fabricators work together to understand which parts of the concept are essential and which details can be refined.

Early collaboration creates space for better decisions. Materials can be tested. Structural assumptions can be reviewed. Access constraints can be incorporated. Prototypes and mock-ups can confirm finishes, geometry and assembly details before full production begins.

Evolution Scenic’s role is not to reduce the ambition of a render. It is to help turn that ambition into an engineered, manufacturable and installable environment.

A successful scenic build should still feel like the original concept.

It should simply contain far more intelligence than the final image could ever show.

A great render is the beginning of a project.

Not the end of one.

Why Fabric Is Sometimes Better Than Building A Wall

Scenic fabrication companies are usually associated with timber, steel, paint, CNC machines and power tools. Sometimes, however, the smartest solution is a sewing machine.

Many scenic challenges are approached with the assumption that something solid must be built. A temporary partition becomes a timber wall. A backstage area becomes a series of framed panels. A conference perimeter becomes a substantial scenic structure.

Yet the environment may not actually require a wall. It may simply need separation, visual screening, branding or a change in atmosphere. In those situations, fabric can achieve the same objective faster, lighter and with considerably less installation complexity.

The important question is not whether fabric is better than timber or steel. It is whether a solid structure is genuinely necessary in the first place.

Starting With the Problem, Not the Material

Experienced scenic teams rarely begin a project by selecting a material. They begin by understanding what the finished environment needs to do. Does the installation need to prevent people from passing through it, or does it only need to block a sightline?

Does it need to support screens, shelving or graphics, or is it simply creating a visual boundary?

Will visitors touch the surface?

Does the partition require acoustic performance, complete privacy or impact resistance?

How long will the environment remain installed?

The answers to these questions determine whether the solution should be a timber wall, a metal-framed structure, a tensioned fabric system, traditional drapery or a combination of several methods.

A scenic wall is appropriate when rigidity, durability or load-bearing capacity is required. However, building a substantial structure simply to conceal a backstage route or divide a temporary hall can introduce unnecessary materials, labour, transport and installation time. Fabric offers an alternative that responds directly to the actual requirement.

Drape Systems as Temporary Architecture

Drapery is often treated as decoration, but professionally designed drape systems function as a form of temporary architecture.

Pipe-and-drape systems, ceiling-mounted tracks and ground-supported frames can define rooms, create corridors, conceal service areas and divide large venues without constructing conventional walls. Within an exhibition hall, hundreds of square metres can be reorganised using relatively lightweight components.

The apparent simplicity of these systems should not be confused with a lack of technical planning.

The fabric type, fullness, drop height, suspension method, support spacing and base stability must all be considered. Long fabric drops can be affected by air movement from ventilation systems, opening doors and nearby production equipment. Ground-supported systems must be appropriately weighted and positioned so that they remain stable throughout operation.

Fire performance is another essential consideration. Exhibition halls, conference venues and public environments commonly require fabrics to meet specific flame-retardancy standards, supported by valid certification. The fixing method and proximity to lighting, electrical equipment and escape routes may also influence the final specification.

When these details are resolved properly, drapery can create clean, controlled spaces with very little physical construction.

Temporary Partitions and Back-of-House Masking

One of the most practical uses of fabric is visual masking.

Backstage environments rarely need fully finished architectural walls. They need controlled sightlines that prevent technical equipment, storage areas, preparation zones and operational routes from being visible from public areas.

A fabric masking system can provide this separation quickly while remaining easy to adjust as the layout develops.

This flexibility is particularly useful during installation, when access requirements frequently change. A section of drape can be moved, opened or temporarily removed without dismantling an entire wall. Additional openings can be introduced for crew circulation, equipment movement or emergency access with minimal disruption.

Fabric is also valuable when working around existing venue services. Conventional scenic walls may conflict with fire equipment, access panels, columns, ventilation outlets or electrical infrastructure. Drapery can often be shaped around these elements more easily, provided that all statutory clearances remain unobstructed.

It is important, however, to understand the limitations. Standard drapery provides visual separation, not full acoustic isolation. It will not offer the security, impact resistance or load-bearing performance of a solid partition. Where those requirements exist, a different construction method—or a hybrid solution—will be needed.

Tensioned Fabric Systems

Not every fabric installation needs to look like a curtain.

Tensioned fabric systems can produce crisp, architectural surfaces with very little visible structure. Fabric can be stretched over aluminium profiles, custom frames or purpose-built scenic forms to create seamless walls, overhead features, illuminated elements and branded environments.

The tension removes folds and gives the surface a more controlled appearance. Depending on the material, the fabric may be printed, front-lit, backlit or used as a neutral scenic finish.

Silicone-edge graphic systems are commonly used where graphics need to be installed cleanly and replaced efficiently. The printed textile is tensioned into a perimeter profile, creating a flat visual surface without visible mechanical fixings. This approach is particularly useful for conference environments, exhibition displays and brand activations where messaging may change between installations.

Fabric tension systems can also create complex forms that would be comparatively heavy or time-consuming to produce using rigid sheet materials. Curved surfaces, suspended volumes and large-format illuminated features can often be fabricated using lightweight frames covered with carefully patterned textiles.

The result may appear simple, but it still requires accurate fabrication. Frame geometry, seam positioning, fabric stretch, print alignment and installation sequence must be coordinated closely. Poorly calculated tension can cause creasing, distortion or excessive loading on the supporting structure.

The Logistics Advantage

One of fabric’s greatest strengths becomes apparent before it reaches the venue.

A large scenic wall may require stacks of timber flats, metal frames, protective packaging and dedicated transport. The equivalent area of drapery can often be packed into a comparatively small volume.

This reduction in size and weight can influence the entire delivery strategy.

Fewer vehicles may be required. Loading and unloading become faster. Components are easier to move through service corridors, lifts and restricted loading areas. Installation teams may need less material-handling equipment, and fewer heavy components need to be carried across finished venue floors.

The benefits continue after dismantling. Fabric systems are relatively compact to store and can often be adapted for future projects. A neutral black masking drape, for example, may be used repeatedly in different configurations. Modular frames and tracks can also be reconfigured rather than remanufactured.

Careful handling is still necessary. Fabric must be packed to avoid damage, contamination and severe creasing. Printed textiles require particular protection to prevent scuffing or transfer between surfaces. Storage conditions should also control moisture, dust and prolonged compression.

Lightweight does not mean maintenance-free, but it can significantly simplify the logistics surrounding a temporary environment.

Transforming Conference and Exhibition Venues

Exhibition halls and conference venues are usually designed as large, flexible spaces rather than finished scenic environments. Their scale is useful operationally, but the exposed structure, services and long sightlines can make them feel visually uncontrolled.

Fabric allows scenic teams to reshape these spaces quickly.

Large drape lines can reduce the apparent size of a hall, conceal unused areas and create more deliberate boundaries. Fabric ceilings or overhead treatments can lower the perceived height of a space, while tensioned graphics can introduce colour, branding and visual hierarchy.

This does not necessarily require the venue to be filled with decorative material. Strategic fabric placement can have a greater impact than constructing numerous scenic elements.

A carefully positioned perimeter drape may remove distracting backgrounds from every camera angle. A tensioned fabric wall can establish the main visual identity of a conference environment. A lightweight textile feature can conceal venue architecture while supporting integrated lighting or graphic content.

The effectiveness comes from understanding where the material will make the greatest difference.

When a Wall Is Still the Better Answer

Fabric is not a universal replacement for scenic construction.

A solid wall remains the correct choice when the structure needs to support mounted equipment, resist frequent contact, provide secure separation or achieve a specific acoustic performance. Areas exposed to public interaction may require robust surfaces that can withstand impact and repeated cleaning.

Fabric may also be unsuitable where airflow cannot be controlled, where precise physical protection is required or where the installation must perform for a long period without regular adjustment.

In many projects, the best solution is a hybrid. A rigid lower section can provide impact resistance while fabric completes the upper surface. A lightweight metal frame may carry tensioned graphics while concealed timber reinforcement supports screens or equipment. Solid scenic portals can define entrances, with drapery extending the visual boundary beyond them. The objective is not to avoid construction. It is to build only what the environment genuinely requires. 

Practical Problem Solving Through Fabrication

Good scenic fabrication is not measured by how much material is used. It is measured by how effectively the finished environment performs.

Choosing fabric instead of a wall can reduce weight, shorten installation programmes, simplify transport and make a venue easier to transform. In the right application, it can also provide a cleaner and more adaptable result.

That decision still depends on professional judgement. Fabric specification, fire certification, support systems, tension, seam placement, access and installation methodology all require proper consideration.

The most experienced scenic teams understand that practical problem solving often means challenging the most obvious construction method. Sometimes the answer is timber. Sometimes it is steel. And sometimes a few hundred metres of fabric will outperform both.

Creating an Integrated Scenic Environment for the ADNOC AI Pledge Event

The ADNOC AI Pledge Event was held at the ADNOC Energy Center in Abu Dhabi in 2024. The project was delivered as a brand launch and required a contemporary scenic environment capable of integrating staging, digital displays, branded architecture and technical production infrastructure. Evolution Scenic worked for the event producer and was responsible for design development, technical drawings, engineering, fabrication, graphics production, installation and dismantling.

Every listed scenic element was fabricated by Evolution Scenic. The scope included a large timber-built wall with vinyl branding, a custom carpeted stage, side-wing décor walls, Forex screen cladding, branding walls, an MDF-and-acrylic “Energy AI” logo and technical hider counters.

Developing the Scenic Package

The project required more than the manufacture of a single backdrop. The presentation environment extended across a central screen, side display areas, long scenic walls and a raised stage. These elements needed to appear visually connected while accommodating the dimensions and access requirements of the technical systems. Evolution Scenic developed the creative concept into a coordinated set of technical drawings. This allowed the relationship between the scenic walls, display openings, stage platform, wing structures, dimensional logo and technical hiders to be resolved before fabrication.

The completed scenic design used a series of stepped and angled upper profiles. These broke up the length of the backdrop and helped create an architectural silhouette around the display technology. Because the graphic treatment continued across multiple scenic sections, the physical construction and artwork setting out needed to be developed together. Wall dimensions, panel joints and screen openings all influenced the final position of the printed imagery.

Treating the Screens as Part of the Scenery

Large digital displays formed an important part of the presentation environment. Rather than allowing the screens to sit as exposed technical components, Evolution Scenic fabricated Forex cladding and surrounding scenic walls to integrate them into the overall branded composition.

The central and side display areas were framed by dark graphic surfaces carrying the event’s digital visual language. The screen surrounds continued the colours, patterns and angular forms of the wider scenic treatment.

This approach reduced the visual distinction between the physical scenery and the digital content. The displays became openings within a fabricated environment rather than separate items placed in front of a backdrop. Screen integration required accurate dimensional coordination. The scenic surrounds needed to fit cleanly around the installed technology while preserving access, sightlines and finished edges. The source does not confirm whether the screens or technical systems were supplied by Evolution Scenic.

Fabricating the Main Timber Wall

The large branded wall provided the principal scenic structure across the venue. Timber construction offered a flexible method for creating the extended wall runs and stepped upper profiles. It also provided a suitable base for the graphic cladding and adjoining scenic elements.

The exact internal framing, sheet material and module dimensions have not been supplied. However, the confirmed use of a wooden wall establishes timber scenic construction as a central part of the build. Fabrication accuracy was particularly important across the stepped profile. Adjacent wall sections needed to connect without disrupting the silhouette or the printed graphic treatment.

Producing the wall in workshop-manageable sections would normally support transport and installation, but the source does not confirm the number or dimensions of the modules. Once assembled, the wall formed a continuous visual background around the main presentation area and established the dominant scale of the temporary environment.

Manufacturing the Carpeted Stage

Evolution Scenic also fabricated the custom stage. The raised platform established the primary presentation level and created a defined foreground in front of the branded walls and display systems. Carpet provided the confirmed finish across the stage surface. This created a clean, controlled plane and separated the stage visually from the patterned venue flooring.

The stage geometry needed to coordinate with the scenic background and the practical requirements of the brand launch. Edge alignment, surface finish and the relationship with the screens were therefore part of the wider scenic development.

Producing Dimensional Brand Elements

The “Energy AI” identity was manufactured from MDF and acrylic. Using layered manufactured materials gave the logo physical depth and allowed it to function as a scenic feature rather than a flat graphic application. MDF provided a practical material for cutting and forming the required letter and logo profiles. Acrylic introduced a contrasting finished surface and supported the cleaner technical character of the event branding.

The source describes the completed element as a custom MDF-and-acrylic logo but does not confirm its dimensions, fixing system, surface finish or whether it incorporated illumination. Additional branding walls and vinyl graphics extended the identity across the environment. The visual language remained consistent across the timber construction, Forex screen cladding and supporting scenic surfaces.

Concealing Technical Equipment

A major operational requirement was the integration of technical production equipment. Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated technical hider counters to conceal equipment and reduce visual disruption within the completed environment. This was a functional part of the scenic scope. The hiders needed to screen the technical positions while allowing the production equipment to remain accessible and usable.

The counters were developed as part of the same visual system as the stage and walls, preventing the technical areas from appearing as temporary additions. Project imagery shows the scale of the control and display infrastructure positioned close to the scenic environment. The hider elements helped maintain a clear boundary between the public-facing scenic finish and the operating production areas.

Coordinating Materials and Graphic Finishes

The confirmed construction palette included timber, carpet, Forex, MDF, acrylic and vinyl graphics.

Each material served a distinct purpose within the scenic package. Timber created the principal architectural structure. Carpet finished the stage. Forex provided smooth screen cladding. MDF and acrylic produced the dimensional identity. Vinyl graphics carried the brand treatment across the scenic walls and display surrounds.

The use of applied graphics across several substrates required coordinated artwork production and installation. Graphic panels needed to align across scenic joints and respond to the openings created for screens and other technical elements. The imagery shows a dark blue and black scenic environment with fine digital patterns and brighter blue areas surrounding the displays. The treatment extended across the wide backdrop and helped connect the physical scenery with the on-screen content.

Addressing Sustainability Engineering and Technical Development

Evolution Scenic’s confirmed role included engineering as well as technical drawing production. This allowed the scenic elements to be developed with their installation, stability and technical interfaces considered from the outset. Large wall sections required stable construction and secure installation. The raised stage required a consistent and safe finished surface. Screen cladding needed to avoid interference with the display systems, while the technical hiders had to function around operating production equipment.

The source does not provide structural calculations, fixing details, loading information or formal approval records. These have therefore not been inferred. The engineering significance of the project lies primarily in coordination: resolving multiple fabricated and technical elements into one accurately installed environment within a tight programme.

Sustainability formed part of the project brief. The original project page confirms that environmentally responsible materials were selected to align with ADNOC’s sustainability objectives. Evolution Scenic’s normal methodology can include efficient material scheduling, workshop-controlled manufacturing and consideration of reuse during dismantling. Those practices should not be attributed to this project without supporting records.

Installing the Complete Environment

Installation took place at the ADNOC Energy Center. The project page describes the programme as time-critical and the logistics as complex, although no specific installation duration or venue restrictions are identified. The scenic package needed to be installed in an order that allowed the main wall structures, screens, stage, graphics and technical hiders to be positioned without obstructing one another.

Final graphic alignment and scenic finishing would have followed the assembly and setting out of the principal structures. This is normal scenic installation methodology and is not presented as a confirmed project sequence. The wide backdrop required careful alignment across multiple scenic sections. Screen interfaces and stepped wall profiles had to remain consistent when viewed from across the room.

The completed environment presented the ADNOC AI Pledge identity across a coherent scenic backdrop. The screen surrounds, timber wall, side wings, carpeted stage, dimensional logo, technical hiders and graphics were visually connected through their geometry and surface treatment. The finished build created an architectural setting around the event technology while concealing much of the supporting infrastructure.

This was the key outcome of the scenic fabrication process: a functional brand-launch environment in which staging, graphics and technical integration were considered together. Evolution Scenic’s involvement across design development, engineering, manufacturing, installation and dismantling ensured that the scenic package was delivered as one coordinated scope rather than through disconnected fabrication workstreams.

Exhibition & Scenic Fabrication

Evolution Scenic was responsible for fabricating and installing the main scenic elements for the Renault stand at Expo 2020 Dubai. The project required a combination of scenic construction, metal fabrication, technical support structures and branded display elements. Each component had to work together as part of one cohesive exhibition environment.

The scenic scope included the main platform, curved walling, display structures and supporting elements for the activation area. The fabrication process focused on creating clean forms, accurate alignment and a high-quality exhibition finish. Different materials were carefully coordinated to ensure the completed stand maintained a consistent visual language.

The scenic elements also needed to accommodate technical features without compromising the overall design. This required close integration between structural requirements and the visible architectural surfaces. The fabrication team worked to ensure that each element could be efficiently assembled and installed within the pavilion environment.

Attention was given to joints, edges and transitions between individual components. The completed scenic package provided a strong physical framework for Renault’s exhibition presence. It also allowed the branding, digital display and technical elements to feel integrated rather than added separately. The result was a refined exhibition environment designed to support both presentation and visitor engagement.

Metal & Aluminium Fabrication

Metal and aluminium fabrication played a major role in shaping the Renault exhibition stand. Evolution Scenic fabricated custom curved metal walling profiles, supporting frames and aluminium fascia elements. These components were produced to follow the curved geometry defined by the overall stand design.

The aluminium fascia formed an important visible edge around the main platform and helped reinforce the architectural character of the space. Metal structures were also used to create the necessary support for scenic and technical components. Each fabricated section had to provide strength while maintaining a clean and lightweight visual appearance.

The curved profiles required accurate forming and fabrication to ensure consistency across the installation. CNC and laser-cutting processes were used where required to improve manufacturing precision. These processes helped achieve clean edges, accurate dimensions and reliable interfaces between connected elements.

The metalwork was coordinated with the scenic finishes so that structural components did not appear visually separate from the stand design. Fabrication tolerances were particularly important where curved sections met other architectural elements. The finished aluminium and metal components supported both the visual design and the practical requirements of the exhibition environment. This combination of engineering and finish quality was essential to achieving the final appearance of the Renault stand.

Curved Exhibition Architecture

Curved geometry was one of the most distinctive features of the Renault stand design. At the centre of the environment was a 62 sqm curved platform that established the main footprint of the activation. The platform was finished with a semi-gloss surface to provide a clean and refined presentation area. A curved aluminium fascia followed the platform edge and strengthened the visual continuity of the design.

The curved form was extended through surrounding metal walling profiles that helped define the exhibition area. Maintaining a consistent radius and smooth visual flow was important throughout the fabrication process. Any variation in the curved profiles could have affected the overall appearance once the elements were installed together. The fabrication therefore required accurate measurement, forming and alignment across multiple components.

The curved geometry also influenced how the screen structure, branding and technical elements were positioned within the stand. Rather than using conventional straight exhibition walls, the design relied on continuous architectural forms. This gave the Renault stand a more fluid and contemporary appearance within the France Pavilion. The platform, walling and fascia worked together to create a unified scenic language. The completed curved architecture provided a distinctive framework for Renault’s exhibition and brand activation.

LED Screen & Technical Integration

A magnetic LED screen formed one of the main digital features within the Renault exhibition environment. Evolution Scenic fabricated a custom metal monolith specifically to support and integrate the screen. The structure needed to provide sufficient strength and stability for the technical equipment. At the same time, it had to maintain the visual quality expected from the exhibition design.

The monolith was therefore treated as both a structural support and an architectural feature. Its proportions and finish were coordinated with the surrounding platform, walling and scenic elements. This prevented the LED screen from appearing as an independent technical installation. Instead, the digital display became part of the overall scenic composition of the stand.

The supporting structure also had to allow for practical access, installation and technical servicing requirements. Careful fabrication was required to maintain accurate dimensions for the screen interface and structural connections. The completed monolith provided a stable framework while maintaining a clean exhibition finish.

This approach demonstrates how technical infrastructure can be incorporated directly into scenic architecture. The LED screen and its support structure ultimately functioned as one integrated visual and technical feature.

Fabric Branding & Custom Rigging

Transparent printed fabric was used to introduce suspended Renault branding within the exhibition space. The fabric elements provided a lightweight visual layer that contrasted with the more solid scenic and metal structures. Evolution Scenic fabricated metal framing to support the printed fabric and maintain the required form.

The frames needed to remain visually discreet while providing sufficient stability for the suspended elements. Custom rigging points were also developed to connect the branding elements safely to the pavilion infrastructure. The position of each suspended component had to be coordinated with the platform, walling, screen and visitor circulation areas.

This ensured that the branding remained visible without interfering with other parts of the activation. The transparent quality of the material helped preserve openness within the stand while still delivering strong brand visibility. Metal framing provided controlled tension and alignment across the printed surfaces. The rigging arrangement also allowed the fabric elements to sit accurately within the wider scenic composition.

Rather than functioning as independent graphic signage, the suspended branding became part of the exhibition architecture. The combination of fabric, metal framing and rigging created a lightweight yet technically controlled display solution. This helped Renault branding remain visually integrated throughout the completed stand environment.

Expo 2020 Dubai – France Pavilion

The completed Renault stand was installed within the France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The pavilion provided a major international setting and required a high standard of fabrication and installation. Evolution Scenic’s scope brought together scenic construction, curved architecture, metalwork, aluminium fabrication, fabric branding and technical integration. Each component had to be delivered and installed as part of one coordinated exhibition environment.

The curved platform established the main physical footprint of the stand. Surrounding metal walling helped define the activation area while maintaining the architectural geometry.

 he custom monolith supported the magnetic LED screen and integrated digital technology within the scenic design. Suspended transparent fabric introduced Renault branding through custom metal framing and rigging.

Accurate fabrication was essential to ensure that all components aligned correctly once assembled on site. CNC and laser-cutting processes helped maintain consistency across the various manufactured elements. Installation also required careful coordination with the existing pavilion infrastructure and technical requirements. The final environment combined structural performance with a clean and refined exhibition finish. The completed Renault stand demonstrated how scenic fabrication and technical systems can work together within a high-profile international pavilion.