Transforming the Saadiyat Rotana Ballroom for Ghadan 21

Ghadan 21 – The Gathering took place at Saadiyat Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi from 19–21 March 2019.

The programme required the hotel ballroom to support several formats over three days, including collaborative workshops, auditorium presentations, panel sessions and a final awards presentation. Rather than treating these as unrelated areas, the scenic approach needed to establish one connected temporary environment.

Evolution Scenic developed the production details from a client-supplied concept and delivered the scenic fabrication and installation package.

The completed environment combined a central presentation stage with surrounding workshop zones, graphic walls, display structures, directional elements and architectural branding. Technical systems supplied by Evolution Technical and furniture supplied by Evolution Furniture were incorporated into the wider layout.

Developing the Scenic Package from a Supplied Concept

The client-supplied concept established the overall visual direction, but the individual elements still needed to be converted into buildable scenic components. This required the development of practical dimensions, internal frames, material build-ups, modular junctions and interfaces with technical equipment.

The central stage was the primary focal point. Its composition included a raised deck, carpeted steps, scenic backdrop walls, red LED screen surrounds, dimensional lettering and a linear speech-inspired detail. Each part needed to align with the others. The stage deck established the finished floor level, the scenic walls created the overall elevation, and the red surrounds defined the position and proportions of the technical screens.

The dimensional lettering and acrylic detailing added physical depth to the graphic composition. These elements allowed the backdrop to operate as a constructed scenic elevation rather than as a flat printed surface.

Building the Main Presentation Environment

The stage deck and steps were fabricated as temporary structural scenic elements. The deck provided a level presentation surface and supported the visual relationship between the speakers, lecterns, screen content and scenic backdrop. Carpet was applied to create a consistent finished surface and to connect the stage with the designated floor areas in the ballroom.

Behind the stage, modular timber- and metal-framed walls formed the central backdrop. The visible surfaces were clad using MDF and plywood, creating smooth substrates for PU paint, printed panels, vinyl graphics and dimensional detailing. Strong red scenic sections framed the LED screens. These surrounds needed to be fabricated around the dimensions and installation requirements of the equipment supplied by Evolution Technical.

Accurate workshop production was important because inconsistent apertures, edges or panel lines would have remained visible around the illuminated screens. The screen surrounds also needed to retain sufficient access for technical installation, adjustment and cable routing. The visible scenic finish could therefore only be completed in coordination with the technical system behind it. Custom lecterns were placed within the same visual language as the stage, allowing the furniture used for presentations to appear as part of the scenic architecture.

Creating Functional Zones Around the Ballroom

The project extended beyond the main stage. Large perimeter graphic walls were installed around the ballroom to organise the wider floor plan and provide visual separation between workshop and presentation functions.

These freestanding scenic walls carried printed information and project graphics while also operating as temporary architectural partitions. Their scale helped convert the open ballroom into a series of more clearly defined working areas.

Monitor surrounds and display stations were positioned within the workshop environment. Evolution Technical supplied the monitors, while Evolution Scenic created the scenic structures and graphic surfaces around them.

This division of responsibility required accurate coordination. Monitor openings, supporting surfaces and cable routes needed to correspond with the supplied equipment without leaving the technical components visually disconnected from the scenic environment.

Workshop counters provided practical surfaces within the individual zones. Evolution Furniture supplied the workshop tables and furniture, which were arranged within the scenic layout alongside Evolution Scenic’s fabricated walls, counters and displays.

Directional signage helped visitors move between the stage, workshops and circulation areas. Rather than treating the signs as separate additions, the graphic and dimensional elements were coordinated with the wider scenic identity.

Fabricating the Architectural Entrance Feature

An entrance or photographic feature incorporating architectural skyline forms established the project identity before the main ballroom environment. The layered skyline shapes reflected the urban planning context of the programme while functioning as a temporary scenic feature.

Fabricated using framed sheet materials, painted surfaces, printed graphics and dimensional components, the entrance feature provided a transition between the hotel circulation areas and the constructed environment inside the ballroom. 

Its freestanding format also allowed it to be positioned without permanent intervention into the hotel architecture. The feature was planned as temporary scenery: stable during use, compatible with the available access route and removable at the end of the programme.

Modular Workshop Construction

The major scenic structures were fabricated as modular workshop-built sections. This approach was important because hotel access routes, working periods and on-site construction conditions can restrict the size of components and the type of work that can be undertaken inside a finished venue. Building the scenery in the workshop allowed the frames, cladding, paint finishes and graphic applications to be completed in a controlled production environment.

The central walls, red screen surrounds, graphic partitions, display stations and entrance feature could then be divided into transportable sections. Connection points were incorporated into the construction so that adjacent modules could be aligned and secured on site. Panel joints and fixing positions needed to remain discreet once the complete elevation had been assembled.

Modularity also supported the phased installation requirement. Different areas of the ballroom could be delivered and assembled according to the agreed sequence rather than requiring every component to arrive simultaneously.

Coordinating Scenic, Technical and Furniture Packages

The project brought together three specialist Evolution divisions. Evolution Scenic was responsible for the scenic construction, including the stage, walls, surrounds, entrance feature, dimensional branding, graphic structures, counters, display stations, signage and floor finishes.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, monitors, truss, lighting and audiovisual equipment.

Evolution Furniture supplied the workshop tables and associated furniture. The visual success of the ballroom depended on these packages operating as a single environment.

Screen surrounds needed to align with the supplied displays. Monitor stations needed to accommodate the correct equipment. Scenic walls and overhead elements needed to respect truss positions and rigging restrictions. Workshop furniture needed to fit within the circulation routes and spaces established by the partitions. This coordination allowed the technical equipment and functional furniture to appear integrated rather than added after the scenic environment had been completed.

Installing Within a Finished Hotel Ballroom

The scenic package was installed through a phased programme. Individual scenic modules were delivered to the ballroom and assembled according to the planned sequence. The stage deck and primary structural elements established the main levels and reference points before the central scenic walls and screen surrounds were completed.

Technical truss and audiovisual systems had to be coordinated alongside the scenic installation. The exact sequencing of particular systems has not been supplied, but the confirmed phased requirement meant that the working areas and access routes needed to remain controlled throughout the build.

The existing hotel finishes introduced additional responsibilities. Floors and walls were protected while scenery, tools and technical equipment were transported and positioned. Large modular sections required careful handling within the venue to prevent contact with finished surfaces.

Rigging restrictions also affected the integration of scenic and overhead technical systems. The temporary environment could not rely on unrestricted suspension or fixing into the existing hotel structure. Freestanding scenic construction, controlled support positions and coordination with the approved truss system therefore formed important parts of the installation approach.

Dismantling the Complete Environment

The entire scenic environment was temporary and was dismantled after the three-day programme. The modular construction approach supported this requirement. Walls, screen surrounds, display structures and entrance features could be separated into their original sections and removed from the ballroom in a controlled sequence.

Technical equipment and furniture also needed to be released from the integrated layout before the final scenic elements were removed. Venue protection remained relevant during the dismantling process. Floor coverings, wall protection and controlled material routes helped reduce the risk of damage as the large scenic package left the hotel. The ballroom could then be returned to its normal configuration without retaining permanent elements from the installation.

A Coordinated Temporary Working Environment

The completed scenic package transformed the Saadiyat Rotana Ballroom from an open hotel function room into a structured temporary environment. The main stage provided a strong presentation setting through the combination of carpeted levels, red screen surrounds, scenic backdrop walls, dimensional branding and integrated technical equipment.

Perimeter walls, workshop counters, furniture, display stations and signage created the supporting working environment around it. The architectural entrance feature established a clear arrival point, while the repeated materials, colours and graphics connected the individual elements across the venue.

Behind the finished appearance was a coordinated process involving scenic detailing, modular fabrication, technical integration, phased installation, venue protection and complete dismantling.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to convert a supplied design concept into a practical scenic construction package suited to the operational restrictions of a finished hotel venue.

Fabricating the PLAN Capital Scenic Environment in Abu Dhabi

In 2019, the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities held the PLAN Capital Plenary Session and Workshop in Abu Dhabi. The project occupied several venue areas, including a main presentation ballroom, an Innovation Hub and a secondary ballroom divided into 14 customised workshop environments.

Evolution Scenic was commissioned to provide scenic and technical solutions across these spaces. Rather than delivering a single backdrop or stage feature, the company produced an extensive temporary fit-out combining stage construction, architectural scenery, modular partitions, workshop furniture, branded graphics and technical interfaces.

Evolution Scenic also developed selected parts of the scenic environment, translating the required visual language into practical components suitable for workshop manufacture and a compressed installation programme.

Building the Main Presentation Environment & Innovation Hub

The main ballroom was organised around a custom stage installation. Evolution Scenic fabricated the stage deck and access steps together with scenic backdrop walls, LED screen surrounds, lecterns and an architectural skyline feature. The stage needed to provide a clear presentation platform while also establishing the principal architectural identity of the project.

The venue supplied the screens, so Evolution Scenic’s responsibility centred on the fabricated scenery surrounding them. The screen surrounds had to align accurately with the existing technical equipment while preserving the dimensional composition of the backdrop.

The skyline feature introduced a recognisable urban reference above the larger scenic surfaces. Rather than relying entirely on printed branding, this element used physical shape and profile to reinforce the planning and city-development theme through scenic construction. PU-painted surfaces, printed panels and vinyl graphics completed the visual treatment. The result combined large-format branded areas with dimensional scenery and functional stage infrastructure.

The Innovation Hub formed a separate functional environment within the wider venue installation. Evolution Scenic fabricated the scenic structures required to define the area, together with counters, plinths and signage. These components gave the Hub a distinct physical boundary and supported its use as a collaborative working space. The area needed to remain visually connected to the main presentation environment without simply repeating the stage construction. This required a controlled use of materials, graphics and architectural forms across components with different operational purposes.

Counters and plinths provided usable horizontal surfaces while also acting as branded scenic elements. Signage helped identify the environment, and the surrounding scenic construction established a more focused zone within the ballroom.

Constructing Fourteen Workshop Environments

A secondary ballroom was converted into 14 customised workshop setups. Evolution Scenic constructed modular partitions to organise the open ballroom into individual working areas. Graphic walls then gave each workshop a defined visual identity, while tables, writable surfaces, monitor units and counters provided the functional infrastructure required within each zone. The quantity of workshop spaces made efficient scenic manufacturing essential. Repeated partition and furniture principles could be used across the complete package, but each workshop still required an appropriate arrangement of walls, graphics, writing areas, displays and work surfaces. The modular approach supported this balance. Components could be manufactured using consistent construction methods while being assembled into different configurations according to the individual workshop requirements.

This also supported the installation programme. Larger partition elements could be positioned first to establish circulation routes and workshop boundaries. Graphic panels, furniture, monitor units and smaller scenic components could then be installed within the completed zones. The project included several interfaces between fabricated scenery and technical equipment.

In the main ballroom, scenic screen surrounds were constructed around venue-supplied displays. Within the workshop areas, monitor units had to be incorporated into the individual layouts.

These interfaces required accurate dimensional coordination. Scenic panels needed to frame the visible equipment cleanly without obstructing ventilation, cabling or technical access.

Delivering with Mixed Scenic Materials

The confirmed construction palette included MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic, fabric, printed panels and vinyl graphics. This mixed-material approach allowed the scenic package to address structural support, shaped detailing, branded surfaces and functional furniture within a single production workflow.

Timber-based construction provided an adaptable method for producing decks, steps, walls, counters and shaped fascia components. Metal framing supported elements requiring increased rigidity or freestanding stability. Acrylic, fabric and graphic finishes added cleaner decorative layers and project-specific visual information.

PU paint provided a consistent finished surface across selected scenery. Printed panels and applied vinyl then introduced the detailed branding and graphic content required for the stage, Innovation Hub and workshop areas.

The source information does not contain a component-by-component material schedule. It would therefore be inaccurate to assign a specific substrate, frame type or finish to every individual element without the original fabrication drawings. Evolution Scenic installed the scenic package over approximately two to three days.

The programme required several installation teams or workstreams to progress through the venue in a controlled sequence. The stage deck and primary scenic walls established the main presentation environment, while the workshop ballroom required the positioning of multiple partitions and furniture components.

Accurate pre-production was important because extensive adjustment or refinishing within the venue would have placed pressure on the installation period. Workshop fabrication allowed much of the assembly, finishing and graphic preparation to be completed before delivery. Once the principal structures were positioned, the detailed elements—including lecterns, counters, plinths, writable surfaces, monitor units and signage—could be installed and aligned. The complete fit-out transformed the available ballroom spaces into one main scenic environment and 14 functional workshop areas within the required timeframe. The PLAN Capital project demonstrates how scenic fabrication can be used to organise a temporary venue at several different spatial scales.

At the largest scale, the stage backdrop and skyline feature established an architectural focal point. At the intermediate scale, scenic walls and partitions divided the venue into distinct environments. At the detailed scale, counters, lecterns, tables, plinths, writable surfaces and monitor units supported the practical operation of each area.

Delivering these elements as one coordinated package reduced visual inconsistencies between the different spaces. Materials, graphic applications and construction details could be managed through one scenic production process, while installation sequencing could be planned across the complete venue fit-out. The resulting environment combined stage scenery, temporary architecture and functional workshop construction within a tightly managed two-to-three-day delivery programme.

Fabricating a Multi-Space Conference and Gala Environment for Roche

On 3–4 February 2020, Roche held a two-day conference and gala dinner in Dubai. The programme included a main conference, workshop sessions and an awards environment. Evolution was appointed to deliver the scenic and technical solutions across these spaces, including the principal stages, integrated screens, workshop infrastructure and branded gala setting. Evolution Scenic fabricated all listed scenic elements, working from a design proposed by the client. Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, audiovisual systems and lighting equipment.

The resulting project required more than the construction of a single conference backdrop. It involved the manufacture and installation of several related temporary environments, each with its own functional purpose but sharing a consistent visual identity.

Translating the Client Design into Buildable Scenery

A client-proposed visual design establishes the intended appearance of a project, but the individual features still need to be developed into components that can be manufactured, transported and installed.

For the Roche Conference, Evolution Scenic converted the supplied design into a modular scenic construction package. The main conference environment included a bespoke stage, screen surrounds and branded scenic elements. Workshop spaces required custom panels and modular partitions, while the gala dinner needed a separate stage and backdrop treatment. Each element had to be broken down into practical workshop sections. The size of those sections needed to account for material dimensions, structural framing, transport access and the available installation programme. The modular strategy allowed the majority of fabrication and finishing to be completed before site access began. This reduced dependence on venue-based construction and supported the two-day installation.

Constructing the Main Conference Stage

The conference stage formed the primary physical setting for presentations and corporate content.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the stage deck and the scenic elevation surrounding the LED displays. The screen surrounds gave the technical surfaces an architectural frame and integrated Roche branding into the physical environment.

The relationship between the screens and the scenery required accuracy. Openings needed to match the technical configuration, while the surrounding panels had to conceal supporting infrastructure and create clean edges around the displayed content. The stage also needed to accommodate presentation movement, furniture positions and sightlines. These practical requirements had to be considered alongside the appearance of the scenic structure.

MDF and plywood were used to create smooth finished faces, supported by timber and metal framing. Painted panels and vinyl graphics established the colour treatment and incorporated the required branding. Because the stage was assembled from modular sections, connections between units needed to remain controlled. Once joined, the elevation had to appear as one continuous scenic composition rather than a collection of separate transportable parts.

Integrating LED and Audiovisual Systems

The LED screens and audiovisual systems were supplied by Evolution Technical. The scenic and technical teams therefore worked within the same wider delivery structure. This supported direct coordination between the screen dimensions, scenic openings, stage layout and equipment access requirements. LED integration affects more than the visible aperture. Scenic construction also needs to account for the physical depth of the screen system, supporting structures, ventilation, signal distribution, power connections and technical maintenance access.

The supplied project information does not provide the exact screen sizes or technical configuration. These details should not be assumed. What is confirmed is that the LED screens were integrated into the bespoke conference stage and supported by a wider audiovisual package. The resulting environment allowed digital content and physical scenic branding to operate as parts of the same presentation setting.

Creating Modular Workshop Environments

The conference included workshop areas requiring custom scenic panels, modular partitions and audiovisual setups. These spaces had different functional demands from the main stage. Rather than creating one large focal elevation, the workshop construction needed to organise the venue into clearly defined session areas.

Evolution Scenic fabricated modular partitions and custom panels using the same wider material language as the main environment. Timber and metal framing provided structural support, while MDF, plywood, fabric, acrylic and painted panels formed the visible surfaces. Vinyl graphics carried branding and workshop-specific information.

The modular partitions allowed the venue to be divided without relying on permanent construction. Their workshop-built format also made installation more efficient and provided better control over the finished surfaces. Where audiovisual equipment was incorporated, the scenic panels and partitions had to remain compatible with screen positions, speakers, cables and other technical components supplied by Evolution Technical. The workshop areas therefore combined temporary architecture, branding and technical infrastructure in a compact format.

Building the Gala Dinner Setting

The gala dinner required a separate scenic response from the daytime conference environment. Evolution Scenic fabricated a dedicated stage with scenic backdrops and branded elements for the awards presentation. Evolution Technical provided the associated lighting. The gala setting maintained the Roche identity but used the physical depth, colour and finish of the scenery to create a more formal environment. Painted panels and vinyl graphics provided a controlled branded finish. Fabric and acrylic were available within the confirmed material palette for selected surfaces and detailed elements.

Lighting influenced how these materials appeared in the completed room. Even where lighting is delivered as a technical discipline, its placement and output affect the visual reading of painted surfaces, graphic panels and scenic depth. The coordination between Evolution Scenic and Evolution Technical allowed the backdrop, stage and lighting to operate as one finished awards environment.

Manufacturing with Mixed Scenic Materials

The scenic construction combined MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic, fabric, painted panels and vinyl graphics. Each material served a different practical purpose. Timber framing created lightweight structural support behind many of the scenic walls and fascia panels. Plywood provided strength in areas requiring reliable fixing, while MDF created smooth surfaces suitable for paint and vinyl application. Metal framing provided increased rigidity for selected scenic elements, particularly larger or freestanding components.

Acrylic allowed refined decorative and branded details to be incorporated where appropriate. Fabric offered a lightweight covering solution for larger surfaces or areas requiring a different visual texture. Painted panels established consistent colour across the conference and gala spaces. Vinyl graphics provided a controlled method of applying logos, messaging and brand elements to the finished scenery.

Using several material systems within one project required attention to transitions and junctions. The visible differences between painted sheet material, fabric, acrylic and graphic finishes needed to appear intentional. The workshop fabrication process allowed these interfaces to be prepared under controlled conditions before installation.

Preparing Modular Workshop-Built Sections

The scenery was manufactured as modular workshop-built sections. This approach concentrated cutting, framing, assembly, painting and graphic preparation within the fabrication facility. Site work could then focus on installing the completed units. For a project containing a main stage, workshop areas and gala environment, modular construction also helped organise the manufacturing sequence. Components could be grouped by area, labelled and prepared for transport in their required installation order.

Large scenic elevations were divided into manageable sections without losing the overall visual composition. Junctions were located where they could be concealed or finished efficiently after assembly. Modularity also supported coordination with the technical package. Screen openings, equipment interfaces and access positions could be prepared before delivery.

Delivering the Two-Day Installation

Evolution Scenic installed the project over two days. Before assembly began, floor protection was placed across relevant working areas to safeguard the existing venue finish. The stage sections, scenic walls, workshop panels, partitions and gala components were then brought into position and connected.

The main conference scenery needed to be installed in coordination with Evolution Technical so that the LED screens aligned correctly within their scenic surrounds. Workshop partitions and panels required careful setting-out to maintain the intended room layouts and circulation routes.

The gala stage and backdrops formed another separate installation workstream, adding to the amount of scenery that needed to be completed within the programme. Because the scenic units arrived substantially completed, the installation team could prioritise alignment, joint finishing, graphic continuity and technical integration rather than carrying out primary fabrication at the venue. The internal coordination between scenic, technical and furniture departments helped organise the delivery of several overlapping packages. The original project page confirms that the wider Evolution team supplied audiovisual systems, staging and bespoke furniture support.

Floor protection and fire-rated materials were confirmed project requirements. Floor protection reduced the risk of damage while heavy scenic units, tools and technical equipment were moved through the venue. Fire-rated materials were used within the scenic package to meet the requirements of the indoor event environment. These measures formed part of the practical delivery of temporary scenery within an existing venue. The quality of an installation depends not only on the final visual appearance but also on how the building, working areas and other production systems are managed throughout the process.

Completing the Conference and Gala Delivery

The completed installation provided Roche with a coordinated series of branded temporary environments. The main stage combined scenic construction with integrated LED displays. Workshop panels and modular partitions created functional session areas. The gala stage and backdrops provided a distinct setting for the awards programme.

Evolution Scenic’s modular fabrication approach supported the two-day installation, while the involvement of Evolution Technical allowed the screens, audiovisual equipment and lighting to be coordinated with the scenery. The confirmed project outcome was the successful delivery of both the conference and gala environments.

The project demonstrates how scenic fabrication can support multiple formats within one corporate programme, combining presentation architecture, technical integration, workshop infrastructure and formal event scenery through one coordinated manufacturing and installation process.

Building a Complete Conference Environment for Marsh in Dubai

The Marsh Energy Industry Conference took place in Dubai in 2018, with the main conference hosted at The Westin Dubai and the gala dinner held at Emirates Towers. Evolution Scenic was responsible for developing and delivering the scenic environment from a client-supplied concept.

The scope extended well beyond the principal conference stage. Evolution Scenic produced arrival and registration structures, presentation furniture, branded information points, hospitality features, digital engagement areas, graphic walls, signage and flooring across the wider conference environment.

Each element needed to support a different part of the delegate journey while remaining visually connected to the overall event identity. Registration, presentation, networking and hospitality areas were therefore treated as parts of one coordinated temporary environment rather than as separate scenic installations.

A separate scenic setting was also created for the gala dinner at Emirates Towers, extending the project across two Dubai venues. The completed delivery demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s ability to coordinate scenic fabrication, branded structures, graphics, furniture and event-specific environments across multiple spaces within one project.

Developing the Supplied Concept for Fabrication

Evolution Scenic developed the client-supplied concept into a practical scenic package that could be manufactured, transported and installed across the conference venues. The visual direction established the intended appearance, while the fabrication process translated those ideas into workable structures and finished scenic elements.

Different components required different construction approaches according to their scale and function. Larger scenic walls and screen surrounds needed framed support structures, while counters and helpdesks required functional carcasses and usable working surfaces suited to their operational role within the conference environment.

Smaller presentation elements, including lecterns and panel-session units, required a greater level of close-range finishing. Their construction needed to combine stable bases, accurate graphic application and carefully finished visible surfaces so that they maintained the same standard as the larger architectural features.

Developing the full package in this way allowed structures serving very different purposes to share one consistent visual language. Scenic walls, counters, presentation furniture and branded features were therefore treated as coordinated parts of the wider temporary environment rather than as isolated fabricated elements.

Fabricating the Main Conference Stage

The main stage at The Westin Dubai formed the central scenic environment for presentations and panel sessions. Evolution Scenic fabricated the stage deck and steps, creating a stable, level platform that integrated cleanly with the surrounding floor finish and scenic backdrop.

A black scenic backdrop and screen-surround treatment framed the principal presentation area. The dark finish created a controlled visual field around the screen content while giving the stage a strong and clearly defined architectural presence within the conference space.

Timber framing, MDF and plywood were used to create the temporary stage architecture. Accurate fabrication was particularly important around the screen surround, where clean alignment between the screen opening, scenic walls and adjoining surfaces was necessary to maintain a precise finished appearance.

Branded lecterns, panel-session tables, plinths and name-display units completed the stage environment. These supporting elements allowed the space to accommodate different presentation formats while maintaining a consistent visual language across the full scenic setting.

Scenic Joinery for Registration and Cyber Lounge

The registration structures formed an important part of the arrival experience. Evolution Scenic fabricated branded counters and reception elements that provided usable surfaces for event operations while presenting a finished scenic face to delegates. These structures were built using timber framing and sheet materials, with laminate, PU paint, printed graphics or vinyl applied according to the required finish.

The Mobile App Helpdesk used the same combination of scenic joinery and branding to create a clearly identifiable assistance point. Its construction needed to support direct interaction while remaining compact enough for the allocated venue area. The project also included branded displays, graphic walls and signage. These elements connected the individual zones and helped maintain consistency between the conference rooms, support spaces and delegate routes.

The Cyber Lounge created a dedicated environment for digital engagement. Rather than relying on freestanding graphics alone, the area used scenic structures to distinguish it from the surrounding conference space. Timber-framed walls, printed surfaces and branded panels could be arranged to form a clear visual boundary while retaining the open access required for delegate circulation.

Counters, plinths or supporting furniture provided practical locations for equipment and user interaction. Graphic positioning and material finishes helped connect the lounge to the wider Marsh environment. The Cyber Lounge, Pop-Up Café and Mobile App Helpdesk each performed a different function, but their scenic treatment allowed them to operate as part of one cohesive project.

A Conference-Wide Scenic Fabrication Package

The completed Marsh conference environment brought together large-scale scenic structures, functional joinery, branded displays and temporary floor treatments as one coordinated fabrication package. The main stage, backdrop and screen surround established the principal presentation setting, while lecterns, panel-session tables, plinths and name-display units supported the different conference formats.

Registration counters and the Mobile App Helpdesk provided practical operational points within the wider venue. Additional areas, including the Pop-Up Café and Cyber Lounge, introduced separate hospitality and engagement environments while remaining visually connected to the overall scenic language.

Graphic walls, printed panels, vinyl branding and signage extended the identity across the conference space and helped link the different functional areas. These treatments worked alongside the fabricated structures and floor finishes to create a more cohesive temporary environment rather than a collection of unrelated event elements.

The scenic delivery also extended to the gala dinner at Emirates Towers, carrying the project across a second venue. Evolution Scenic’s role therefore required the coordination of fabrication, scenic finishing, graphics, flooring, transport and phased installation across a complete multi-space conference environment.

Designing a Circular Scenic Environment for ADSW Youth Circle

The ADSW Youth Circle was held in Abu Dhabi during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018. Hosted at the ADSW VIP Majlis in ICC Hall in collaboration with ADSW and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the project required an environment suitable for an open discussion format while maintaining a clear and recognisable visual identity.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for the design and fabrication of the scenic environment. The delivered package centred on a custom circular stage, supported by freestanding branding, scenic backdrop elements, event furniture and AV coordination. Together, these components created a complete event setting rather than a conventional stage placed in front of a separate audience area.

Translating the Youth Circles Identity into Scenic Form

The Youth Circles identity was based on a strong circular graphic device. Evolution Scenic carried this geometry through the physical environment. The principal stage featured a large orange branded centre surrounded by a clean white scenic perimeter. This created a clearly defined central area while retaining the low visual profile required by the surrounding arrangement.

A freestanding circular Youth Circles logo feature was positioned beside the platform. Mounted on a shaped white scenic support, it transformed the event identity from a flat graphic into a physical branded object. The project imagery also shows a secondary white branding wall within the venue. Its restrained finish provided a neutral scenic surface for event identities and supporting information without competing with the stronger orange stage treatment.

The repetition of circular geometry across the floor treatment, stage perimeter and upright logo feature gave the environment consistency. Each component could be read separately, but together they formed a single scenic language.

Designing for a Radial Layout

The Youth Circle did not use a conventional frontal stage arrangement. The photographs show seating distributed around the central platform, making the stage an object within the room rather than an elevated surface viewed from only one direction.

This configuration placed greater emphasis on all-round presentation. Scenic edges, joints, graphic alignment and rear surfaces could potentially remain visible from different positions. The low-profile construction helped preserve visual relationships across the environment. The central stage remained distinct without creating a substantial physical barrier through the space.

The upright Youth Circles logo feature provided a stronger vertical marker. Its height and position gave the installation a recognisable branded focal point while the central platform remained comparatively low. Exact sightline studies and stage dimensions have not been supplied. The discussion above is based on the visible arrangement rather than project-specific technical drawings.

Developing the Scenic Components

The confirmed scope included scenic design and fabrication. Developing a circular stage package requires careful control of geometry. The perimeter must read as a consistent curve, while floor graphics and applied branding must align with the physical centre of the platform.

The freestanding circular logo feature introduced a separate fabrication requirement. Its visible disc, supporting scenic body and floor interface needed to form a stable, cleanly finished object suitable for an indoor temporary environment.

The supporting branding wall required a different scenic treatment. Its larger rectangular surface created a counterpoint to the circular centrepiece and provided a practical location for supporting visual information. Although the materials are not recorded, the visible scenic treatment relied on clean white surfaces and precisely positioned orange graphics. The quality of the completed environment therefore depended on accurate fabrication as well as controlled graphic production and application. No substrate, framing, jointing, fixing or paint specifications have been inferred.

Coordinating Scenic Branding and AV Requirements

The published project scope confirms that scenic backdrops were integrated with AV elements to support presentations and video coverage. This interface is significant because scenic and technical systems cannot be developed independently when they occupy the same visual environment.Screen positions, camera views, equipment footprints, cable routes and access for technical adjustments can all influence scenic dimensions and component placement.

For an environment intended to be viewed from several directions, technical equipment also needs to be incorporated without weakening the overall composition.The available information does not confirm which AV components were physically integrated into the scenic construction or which were positioned independently by the technical team. The case study therefore records the confirmed coordination requirement without assigning unverified construction details.

Combining Stage, Branding and Furniture

The event furniture formed part of the overall Evolution delivery. White chairs were arranged around the circular platform, reinforcing the all-round format while maintaining the visual simplicity of the scenic environment.

The furniture was not treated as scenery, but its placement was important to the finished spatial composition. The relationship between the central platform, freestanding logo feature, secondary backdrop and seating established the usable event environment.

This coordination helped prevent the stage from appearing as an isolated scenic object. Instead, it became the centre of a planned system containing physical scenery, branding, furniture and production technology. Evolution Scenic’s role in designing and fabricating the stage environment provided the visual structure around which those additional elements could be organised.

Installing the Environment at ICC Hall

The installation took place within the ADSW VIP Majlis at ICC Hall in Abu Dhabi. 

Accurate on-site set-out would have been central to the finished appearance. The platform, central graphics and freestanding circular feature needed to relate correctly to one another, while sufficient space had to remain for furniture, technical equipment and circulation.

Temporary scenic components are normally developed so that they can be transported, assembled and finished within the available venue programme. Curved platforms may be divided into manageable sections, while larger freestanding features may use separate supporting and visible components.

These construction approaches describe standard scenic methodology only. The exact segmentation and installation sequence used for the Youth Circle are not documented in the supplied information. No confirmed details are available for transportation, access, lifting equipment, installation hours or site staffing.

Delivering a Complete Event Environment

The completed Youth Circle installation combined a custom stage, branded scenic structures, supporting backdrop elements, furniture and technical coordination. The strong orange and white treatment gave the setting a recognisable identity, while the circular composition provided a clear spatial centre.

The stage remained integrated with the surrounding environment rather than functioning as a separate elevated platform. Repeated curves and consistent scenic finishes helped establish continuity across the different physical components.

The confirmed project outcome was the delivery of a complete event environment. For Evolution Scenic, the project demonstrates the value of treating design, fabrication, branding and technical interfaces as one connected scenic package. The final installation was not defined by a single large scenic structure. Its effectiveness came from the controlled relationship between several smaller elements, each contributing to the overall environment.

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.