Transforming Sentinel Barge With Custom Scenic Fabrication

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

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

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

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

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

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

Establishing A Scenic Centrepiece On The Barge

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coordinating Steelwork And Scenic Carpentry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Building The Branded Presentation Environment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Extending Branding Across Interior And Exterior Areas

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

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

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

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

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

Completing The Environment With Furniture And Florals

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

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

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

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

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

Installing Across A Non-Conventional Venue

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

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

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

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

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

Delivering A Cohesive Branded Scenic Environment

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

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

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

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

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

Building a Complete Waterfront Venue for Mubadala SailGP

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

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

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

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

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

Converting the Temporary Tent into a Scenic Environment

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

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

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

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

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

Curved Stage Scenic Architecture

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scenic Backdrop Composition

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

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

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

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

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

Creating a Family of Branded Display Plinths

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

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

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

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

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

Bespoke Interactive Scenic Fabrication

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

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

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

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

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

Extending the Scenic Treatment Outside the Tent

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

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

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

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

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

Integrating Technical Equipment and Furniture

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

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

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

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

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

Installing the Complete Venue

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

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

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

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

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

Building a Complete Pre-COP28 Conference Environment

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

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

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

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

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

Delivering the Environment Within Fourteen Days

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

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

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

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

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

Engineering the Curved Main Stage and Frameless LED Screen

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enclosing and Branding the Main Conference Stage

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

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

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

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

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

Creating Three Enclosed Meeting Rooms

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

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

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

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

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

Completing the Meeting-Room Interiors

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

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

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

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

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

Fabricating the Entrance and Photo Opportunity Features

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

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

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

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

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

Constructing the Outdoor Seating Environments

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

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

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

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

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

Producing Product Displays and Cultural Features

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

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

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

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

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

Coordinating Scenic, Technical and Furniture Delivery

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

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

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

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

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

Building a Climate Hub at Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University hosted its Climate Hub in Dubai during COP28 in 2023. Running across two weeks, the initiative required the university venue to support a changing programme of presentations, exhibitions and discussions while maintaining one consistent physical and visual identity.

Evolution Scenic was entrusted with the complete scenic scope. The work extended from the principal presentation space into the surrounding exhibition, lobby and circulation areas, creating a venue-wide environment rather than a single isolated stage installation.

The physical package included a custom stage, large scenic backdrop, freestanding exhibition walls, movable screens, display stands, directional signage, wayfinding and applied branding. Furniture and floral elements supplied by Evolution Furniture completed the occupied spaces and helped connect the functional and scenic requirements of the Climate Hub.

Each component needed to work within a different part of the existing university while still belonging to the same visual system. Materials, graphics, scenic construction and furniture were therefore coordinated to create continuity as visitors moved between arrival areas, circulation spaces, presentations and exhibitions.

Constructing the Main Presentation Stage

The principal presentation area was centred around a purpose-built plywood stage platform. Constructing the stage specifically for the Climate Hub created a defined presentation level within the existing university environment and established the physical base for the backdrop, screens, furniture and speaker activity.

Carpet was applied across the upper surface of the stage, creating the finished presentation floor and providing clear visual separation between the raised scenic environment and the surrounding venue. The restrained treatment allowed the branded backdrop and presentation content to remain the dominant features behind the speakers.

The stage formed part of the wider scenic composition rather than functioning as a standalone platform. Its relationship with the backdrop, movable television screens and furniture helped establish a complete presentation environment that could accommodate the changing programme across the two-week Climate Hub.

Using purpose-built scenic construction also allowed the presentation area to respond directly to the requirements of the temporary installation. The completed platform provided a controlled foundation around which the principal visual and functional elements could be arranged.

Fabricating the Printed Fabric Backdrop

A large scenic backdrop formed the architectural and visual anchor behind the main presentation stage. Its construction combined internal timber framing with MDF cladding before a printed fabric finish was installed across the visible surface.

The timber framework established the overall form of the wall, while the MDF created a consistent underlying surface for the textile treatment. This combination allowed the backdrop to function as a substantial scenic structure while presenting a clean and controlled face towards the audience.

Printed fabric carried the Climate Hub identity across a large uninterrupted area without dividing the backdrop into numerous separate graphic panels. The dark scenic surface incorporated Heriot-Watt branding and linear green graphic details, creating a strong visual field behind the carpeted stage and presentation furniture.

The finished wall operated simultaneously as temporary architecture and branding. Rather than placing graphics onto an existing venue surface, Evolution Scenic created a purpose-built scenic structure that established the physical character of the principal Climate Hub presentation environment.

Producing Freestanding Exhibition Walls

The scenic language established around the main stage continued into the wider Climate Hub through a series of self-supporting exhibition walls. These structures used the same principal construction method as the stage backdrop, combining timber framing, MDF cladding and printed fabric finishes.

Maintaining this common construction and finishing language helped connect spaces that served different purposes. Presentation areas, exhibition zones and circulation spaces could vary in function while still sharing the materials, surfaces and graphic treatment established by the main scenic installation.

The walls were developed as freestanding temporary structures within the existing university interior. This allowed the Climate Hub to create its own architectural boundaries and branded surfaces without relying on permanent alterations to the building.

Sustainability also formed part of the scenic brief. The freestanding wall system supported a temporary approach to construction, allowing the Climate Hub environment to be introduced within the university while maintaining the existing architecture as the permanent backdrop to the project.

Integrating Movable Screens and Display Stands

Visual content formed an important part of the Climate Hub programme, but the technical displays were not permanently embedded into the main scenic backdrop. Movable television screens with freestanding supports were positioned around the presentation area, allowing their placement to respond to different sessions and content requirements.

Keeping the screens independent from the rear wall preserved the continuity of the printed fabric backdrop. The large branded surface could remain visually uninterrupted while the displays provided the flexibility needed for presentations, discussions and changing programme formats.

Evolution Scenic also produced custom freestanding LED-screen stands for additional areas of the venue. Treating these supports as part of the scenic package allowed the technical displays to sit within purpose-built structures rather than appearing as unrelated equipment positioned around the Climate Hub.

The combination of movable displays and fabricated screen stands introduced flexibility without losing visual consistency. Technical content could be positioned where required while the surrounding scenic construction, branding and furniture maintained the wider identity of the temporary environment.

Manufacturing Signage and Wayfinding

The Climate Hub environment extended into the venue’s signage and wayfinding system. Directional structures were fabricated with internal steel frames, MDF cladding and vinyl graphics, combining a robust supporting construction with smooth branded surfaces.

Evolution Scenic also manufactured custom freestanding wooden signage stands finished with vinyl graphics. Their self-supporting format allowed identity and directional information to be positioned throughout the university without requiring permanent fixing into the existing architecture.

The smaller signage elements carried the same branded language as the larger scenic walls and stage environment. Colour, graphics and physical fabrication therefore remained connected even as the scale of the individual components changed.

This approach allowed the scenic identity to operate at both architectural and human scales. Large walls established the principal environments, while freestanding signs and directional features helped visitors move between the different areas of the Climate Hub without breaking the visual continuity of the installation.

Extending Branding Through the Venue

The Climate Hub identity continued beyond the principal presentation and exhibition rooms into the wider university environment. Evolution Scenic produced custom branding for the lobby counter, turning an existing arrival point into part of the temporary COP28 installation.

Additional graphic treatments were applied to elevator areas and selected exterior locations. Extending the branding into these circulation spaces meant the Climate Hub did not begin only when visitors entered the main room; its visual identity developed through the journey across the building.

The lobby counter became a particularly visible part of this arrival sequence, carrying large-format Heriot-Watt and COP28 graphics across the existing counter and surrounding presentation areas. This allowed an established architectural feature of the university to participate visually in the temporary environment.

Together, the lobby, elevator and exterior treatments connected the principal scenic spaces with the wider building. Applied graphics and purpose-built scenic structures worked alongside one another, extending the Climate Hub identity without requiring every area to contain large fabricated installations.

Coordinating Furniture and Florals

Evolution Furniture supplied the complete furniture setups and floral elements used throughout the Climate Hub. Seating and tables were arranged across the stage, discussion areas, lounge settings and supporting spaces, providing the functional infrastructure required for the changing programme.

White upholstered seating and smaller tables created a clear visual contrast against the darker printed scenic walls. This relationship helped the furniture remain visually distinct while still sitting comfortably within the broader scenic palette established by the backdrop, exhibition structures and branded surfaces.

Floral elements added a softer material layer to an environment otherwise dominated by plywood, MDF, timber framing, steel supports, printed fabric and graphic finishes. Their inclusion helped balance the harder fabricated components and contributed to the occupied character of discussion and lounge spaces.

Furniture and florals were coordinated alongside the scenic package rather than introduced as unrelated decorative additions. Bringing these disciplines together allowed presentation areas, lounges and discussion spaces to feel complete while retaining the same overall project identity.

Delivering Across a Tight Programme

The Climate Hub brought together several different fabrication and finishing processes within one temporary installation. Plywood stage construction, timber framing, MDF cladding, steel fabrication, printed textiles, vinyl graphics, technical display supports and furniture all needed to operate within a common visual framework.

Each production method served a different physical requirement. Timber and MDF created the large scenic walls, plywood provided the stage construction, steel supported directional structures, printed fabric established the principal branded surfaces and vinyl graphics extended the identity onto smaller signs and existing architectural elements.

The challenge was not simply to manufacture each component successfully, but to ensure that materials and finishes remained visually connected when distributed throughout the university. A visitor moving from the lobby into the presentation area and then through the exhibition zones needed to experience one coherent Climate Hub rather than a series of independent scenic packages.

Coordinating these systems during fabrication allowed individual trades and materials to contribute to the same environment. The result combined temporary architecture, graphics, technology and furniture without allowing any single discipline to feel disconnected from the wider scheme.

Completing the Temporary Environment

The Climate Hub scenic package involved several production processes taking place across multiple areas within an operating university environment. Workshop fabrication, graphic production, screen integration, furniture coordination, transportation and installation all needed to come together within a restricted delivery programme.

The main stage and printed backdrop formed the central installation, while exhibition walls, signage, screen stands and applied graphics were distributed throughout the wider building. Each element had its own physical requirements and final location, making accurate preparation important before the scenic package reached site.

Working within an existing institutional venue also required the temporary structures to respond to established architecture and circulation. Freestanding construction allowed the exhibition walls, signs and technical supports to establish the Climate Hub environment while remaining independent from the permanent building.

The completed installation demonstrates how detailed workshop preparation and coordinated production can support a project spread across several spaces rather than one concentrated event area. Different scenic components could be positioned according to their individual function while maintaining the visual relationship required across the complete venue.

Building a Coordinated Innovation Environment for AD Port Group

AD Port Group Innovation in Abu Dhabi required a complete temporary environment combining exhibition spaces, presentation infrastructure, branded scenic features and integrated technology. The different areas needed to operate as one coordinated installation while maintaining a consistent architectural and visual language throughout the venue.

Evolution Scenic handled the design, technical development, scenic fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig for the 2025 project. The principal scope included 16 custom exhibition booths, a 12-metre-wide main stage, a branded welcome wall with an illuminated logo, modular and illuminated branding elements, boat cladding and bleacher covers.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens and their supporting systems, while Evolution Furniture provided all furniture used throughout the project. This required coordination between screen positions, scenic walling, counters, storage units and furniture layouts so the technical and operational elements could be integrated cleanly into the fabricated environment.

The completed delivery brought the scenic, technical and furniture packages together as one temporary environment. Booth walling accommodated screens and cable access, counters and cabinets supported daily booth operations, while the stage, welcome feature, branding elements and specialist cladding extended the same scenic language across the wider project.

Developing Sixteen Custom Exhibition Booths

The principal exhibition environment comprised 16 custom booths arranged across several pavilion configurations. The layout needed to create a clear and consistent scenic identity while allowing individual booth areas to support different branding, screen content and operational requirements. Each booth was therefore developed as part of a wider exhibition system rather than as a standalone structure.

Six booths formed the right-side pavilion, while five were positioned within the left-side pavilion. Two back-to-back structures created a further four individual booth faces, making efficient use of the available floor area. One additional standalone booth was positioned close to the auditorium seating platform, extending the same scenic language into a separate part of the venue.

Thirteen of the booths measured three metres by three metres with an overall height of three metres. Three larger booths measured three metres by six metres and were also three metres high. Using these two standard footprints allowed the project to accommodate different spatial and operational requirements while maintaining consistent proportions across the exhibition environment.

The booth system also needed to support branding, digital displays, visitor interaction and concealed storage within the same compact footprint. Counters, screen positions and internal storage had to be integrated without disrupting the clean scenic appearance of the walls and portal features. This required careful coordination between the structural layout and the functional requirements of each booth.

Maintaining alignment between the platforms, wall lines and repeated architectural details was important to the overall composition. The consistent booth heights and shared construction language helped the different pavilion areas read as one coordinated temporary exhibition environment, while still allowing each booth to carry its own individual graphic identity.

Establishing a Repeatable Scenic Construction System

Custom plywood platforms formed the base of the exhibition booths and created a consistent foundation across the different pavilion areas. Carpet was installed across the platform surfaces to provide a clean finished floor within each booth. This also helped visually separate the fabricated exhibition spaces from the surrounding venue floor.

The booth walls were constructed using plywood internal framing clad with MDF. This combination provided the structural support required for the temporary scenic environment while creating smooth, uniform surfaces for the final finishes. The wall system could then be repeated across both the standard and larger booth configurations.

White paint was used as the principal scenic finish across the booth walling. Applied vinyl graphics introduced the individual branding and content required for each exhibitor without changing the underlying construction system. This allowed each booth to carry its own identity while remaining part of the same overall architectural language.

The repeated construction method could be adapted according to each booth’s operational requirements. Screen positions, graphic layouts, counters and storage elements changed between booths, while the internal framing, cladding and finishing principles remained consistent. This helped simplify fabrication while maintaining flexibility across the 16-booth environment.

Repeated wall proportions, portal forms and white scenic surfaces created visual continuity throughout the pavilions. Rather than appearing as a collection of unrelated exhibition stands, the booths read as one coordinated temporary architecture. The consistency of the underlying construction system supported both the practical build process and the overall scenic composition.

Integrating Screens, Counters and Storage

LED screens formed an important part of the exhibition environment and needed to be integrated directly into the scenic booth construction. Evolution Technical supplied the screens and their supporting systems, while Evolution Scenic coordinated the surrounding wall structures and screen positions.

Cable-management access was incorporated into every wall where a television screen was mounted. This allowed power, signal and technical connections to remain accessible while keeping the visible booth surfaces clear of loose cabling and unnecessary technical clutter.

The access provisions also allowed the screens to be installed, connected and checked without requiring the completed scenic walling to be dismantled. This helped maintain both the operational function of the technical equipment and the clean appearance of the finished booth interiors.

Every booth included a front counter with internal storage. These counters created a consistent visitor-facing frontage while providing concealed space for operational materials, equipment and general booth requirements.

The three larger booths also incorporated rear worktops with fitted storage cabinets. These additional joinery elements increased the practical working capacity of the wider booths while remaining integrated within the same scenic construction and finish language.

Configuring Pavilion and Back-to-Back Booth Layouts

The booth system needed to respond to several different spatial conditions while maintaining the same scenic language throughout the exhibition environment. The right- and left-side pavilions used repeated booth modules to create continuous elevations with consistent proportions and detailing.

Platform edges, wall lines, counter positions and repeated overhead features were kept visually aligned across the pavilion areas. This repetition helped establish a clear architectural rhythm and allowed the individual booths to read as part of one coordinated temporary structure.

The two back-to-back booth assemblies required a different layout approach. Each shared structure supported branding and booth functions on both sides, creating four individual booth faces from two central scenic constructions.

Freestanding branded totems were positioned within the back-to-back booths, while display tables were installed at the front to provide additional presentation surfaces. These elements supplemented the integrated counters without interrupting the shared wall arrangement.

The back-to-back configuration made efficient use of the available floor area while still allowing each booth face to retain its own graphic identity and visitor approach. The standalone booth near the auditorium seating platform followed the same three-metre-high scenic language, keeping it visually connected to the larger pavilion environment.

Constructing the Main Stage and Scenic Backdrop

Evolution Scenic fabricated a custom main stage measuring 12 metres wide by four metres deep. The stage formed the principal presentation area within the project and needed to provide a stable, finished platform that could coordinate cleanly with the scenic backdrop and technical screen systems.

A custom steel stage-deck system formed the primary supporting structure. Plywood decking was installed above the steel framework to create a continuous surface, before carpet was applied across the top to complete the visible stage finish.

This layered construction allowed each material to perform a specific function within the build. The steel deck provided the structural support, the plywood created a smooth and usable scenic substrate, and the carpet delivered the final presentation surface across the full stage area.

Comfort monitors were positioned along the front of the stage as part of the presentation setup. Their placement needed to be considered alongside the stage edge and scenic arrangement so that the technical equipment remained functional without disrupting the overall appearance of the presentation area.

The stage backdrop was fabricated from an internal timber-framed structure clad with MDF and finished with paint. The deck, backdrop and screen systems were coordinated as one presentation environment, helping the scenic and technical elements appear integrated rather than added as separate components.

Creating the Illuminated Welcome and Branding Features

The entrance environment incorporated a custom branded welcome wall that established a clear focal point within the project. The structure was fabricated from timber framing and clad with MDF, creating a smooth scenic surface suitable for the required graphic and lighting treatments.

Vinyl graphics were applied across the visible wall faces to introduce the project identity and maintain consistency with the wider exhibition environment. The scenic walling therefore worked as both a structural feature and a large-format branding surface within the entrance area.

A CNC-cut logo was integrated directly into the wall and illuminated from behind. The backlighting added depth and visibility to the logo, transforming it from a flat graphic element into a more dimensional scenic feature within the reception environment.

A custom counter with internal storage was positioned in front of the welcome wall. This provided a practical reception point while remaining visually connected to the surrounding scenic architecture and branded backdrop.

Illuminated branding panels and modular branding panels were also included within Evolution Scenic’s confirmed scope. These additional elements extended the visual identity beyond the main welcome feature and helped create a more consistent branded language across the wider temporary environment.

Fabricating Boat Cladding and Bleacher Covers

The boat cladding required a different construction approach from the prefabricated exhibition structures used elsewhere in the project. Rather than arriving as a completed freestanding scenic element, the cladding had to be developed directly around the existing boat and its installed position within the venue.

A plywood supporting structure was formed around the required area of the boat and then clad with MDF. This created the scenic surface needed for the final finish while allowing the structure to follow the shape and proportions of the existing feature more closely.

Vinyl graphics were applied across the completed MDF cladding to create the visible branded finish. The entire scenic assembly was fabricated on site, allowing the framework, cladding and graphics to be adjusted in response to the actual installation conditions rather than relying only on workshop measurements.

This site-based fabrication process required the structure to be measured, formed and finished around an existing object. It differed from the booth and stage packages, where a larger proportion of the scenic construction could be developed as repeatable fabricated components before installation.

Bleacher covers were also included within Evolution Scenic’s scope. These covers helped visually complete the auditorium seating infrastructure and allowed the bleacher area to sit within the same coordinated scenic language as the exhibition booths, stage and wider branding features.

Coordinating Scenic, Technical and Furniture Delivery

Three Evolution divisions contributed to the completed environment, each delivering a defined part of the project. Evolution Scenic handled the design, technical development, fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig, while the technical and furniture packages were coordinated alongside the scenic build.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens and their associated support systems. This required close coordination with the fabricated booth walls so that screen positions, supporting structures and cable routes could be accommodated without disrupting the finished scenic surfaces.

Evolution Furniture provided all furniture used throughout the project. Furniture layouts needed to work alongside the booth counters, storage areas, circulation routes and presentation spaces so that the operational use of each area remained practical within the temporary environment.

Coordination between the three packages was particularly important at the interfaces between scenic construction and technical equipment. Screen dimensions affected wall construction, cable routes influenced access provisions, and furniture placement needed to remain compatible with the booth layouts and visitor circulation.

The same approach applied to the main presentation area, where the stage structure, scenic backdrop, screens and comfort monitors needed to function as one coordinated system. Bringing the scenic, technical and furniture packages together helped maintain consistency across the exhibition booths, stage, entrance environment and auditorium areas.

Installing and Delivering the Complete Environment

Evolution Scenic handled the complete installation and subsequent de-rig of the project. The installation sequence needed to coordinate booth platforms, wall structures, counters, stage components, graphics, screens and furniture so that each package could be completed without disrupting the surrounding finished work.

Booth platforms and primary scenic walling were positioned before the final technical equipment and furniture were integrated. Painted, carpeted and vinyl-finished surfaces also needed to be protected during the remaining installation stages so that the completed scenic environment maintained a clean and consistent finish.

The boat cladding introduced an additional site requirement because its plywood support structure, MDF cladding and vinyl graphic finish were all produced at the venue. This required the scenic team to fabricate and finish the structure directly around the installed boat while working within the operational conditions of the site.

All installation and de-rig activities were completed in accordance with the client’s rules and the restrictions applying to the venue. The supplied project information does not confirm the installation programme, working hours, crew size, access routes or lifting requirements, so these details should not be described as confirmed project facts.

The completed environment brought together 16 exhibition booths, a custom steel-deck stage, painted scenic backdrops, integrated screens, storage counters, an illuminated welcome feature, modular branding, furniture and specialist cladding. Together, these elements created a coordinated temporary environment in which the exhibition, presentation and reception areas shared the same scenic construction and visual language.

Fabricating a Multi-Space Scenic Environment for Investopia 2023

Investopia 2023 took place at the Hilton in Abu Dhabi in March 2023. Hosted by the Ministry of Economy, the second edition of the two-day forum required a series of connected scenic environments rather than a single conventional conference stage. Each area needed to support a different function while maintaining a consistent visual and branding language across the venue.

Evolution Scenic delivered the scenic elements and custom fabrication across the main conference space, two secondary stages, the B2B meeting area, pre-function zones and the hotel’s outdoor terrace. The complete scope included a 21-metre-wide main stage, a six-metre-high circular logo structure, 35 custom meeting booths, two additional stages for breakout and press use, branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding scenic walls, interactive areas and bespoke elements for the gala dinner setting.

The project combined large-format scenic construction with repeated modular fabrication and smaller branded installations. From the principal stage and circular scenic structures to the meeting booths and pre-function features, each component was developed to perform a specific practical role within the wider conference environment.

By coordinating the fabrication and installation across multiple areas, Evolution Scenic created a unified physical setting that supported presentations, meetings, press activity, networking and evening hospitality within one consistent scenic system.

Establishing a Scenic Language Across the Venue

Each area within Investopia 2023 served a different operational purpose and therefore required its own scenic response. The main stage supported the largest presentations and established the principal visual identity for the project. The breakout and press stages provided smaller, function-specific environments, while the B2B area required a repeated system of custom meeting booths for one-to-one discussions.

The pre-function spaces introduced another layer of scenic fabrication through branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding walls and interactive installations. These elements supported interviews, media activity and promotional content while extending the visual identity beyond the main conference hall.

The outdoor terrace created a further change in scale and atmosphere, taking the scenic treatment from the hotel interior into an evening hospitality environment with raised platforms, circular scenic structures, branded flags, plinths, totems and ambient lighting. Evolution Scenic connected these different areas through repeated circular geometry, coordinated branding, reflective finishes and integrated illumination.

The circular form was most prominent within the main-stage centrepiece and the six-metre custom logo structure, but the same geometry was also carried into the secondary stages, illuminated branding elements and outdoor terrace installation. This repeated design language created continuity across the venue while allowing each space to retain the layout, scale and construction approach required for its specific function.

Constructing the 21-Metre Main Stage

The principal stage measured 21 metres across and was finished with carpet across the upper deck surface. Illuminated access steps were incorporated into the stage, with LED lighting integrated into the step fascias. These illuminated details defined the changes in level and connected the stage platform to the wider Investopia lighting scheme.

A complete circular scenic centrepiece formed the main three-dimensional feature within the stage composition. The structure was finished in white paint and supported by a steel framework positioned behind the visible scenic surface. Programmable lighting was integrated into the front fascia of the circular centrepiece, allowing the structure to respond to different presentation and lighting sequences throughout the programme. The combination of the white painted finish and controlled illumination gave the scenic form a clear physical presence alongside the digital content.

The circular geometry created a strong visual anchor across the 21-metre stage and established a design element that could be repeated within the breakout, press and pre-function environments.

A ramp was installed at the rear of the stage to provide an additional access route onto the platform. This allowed speakers, production personnel and other authorised users to enter the stage from behind the main presentation environment without relying solely on the audience-facing steps. Together, the carpeted stage deck, illuminated step fascias, white circular scenic structure, programmable lighting and rear access ramp created a functional conference platform with a consistent architectural identity.

Engineering the Six-Metre Circular Logo

The custom circular ring logo formed one of the project’s most substantial individual scenic fabrications. Standing six metres high, the structure functioned as a large three-dimensional scenic feature rather than a conventional sign or graphic panel. Its construction combined Styrofoam, gelcoat, metal square tubing and MDF cladding, with the completed surface finished in reflective silver metallic chrome.

The circular logo was installed on a platform measuring 9.7 metres long by 5.7 metres wide and 400 millimetres high. The platform was finished in black paint, creating a dark visual base beneath the reflective scenic structure. A 4.8-metre-diameter LED screen formed the clear visible centre of the six-metre ring. Positioned within the circular structure, the screen became the principal focal point of the scenic composition and allowed digital content to sit directly within the fabricated logo form.

The front fascia beneath the circular logo also incorporated LED screen content, extending the digital surface into the lower scenic structure and visually connecting the raised platform with the central display. The mixed construction allowed different materials to address separate requirements within the same scenic assembly. The metal square-tube structure contributed rigidity, while the Styrofoam, gelcoat and MDF cladding established the shaped visible form and prepared the structure for its reflective finish.

Circular accuracy was particularly important at this scale. The six-metre outer ring and the centrally positioned 4.8-metre LED screen needed to remain visually balanced, with consistent spacing around the full circumference. The reflective metallic finish also increased the importance of fabrication accuracy and surface preparation. Changes in curvature, joints or uneven areas would have been more visible under the surrounding stage and screen lighting than they would have been with a low-sheen painted finish.

Producing Thirty-Five Custom Meeting Booths

The B2B environment contained 35 custom meeting booths designed and fabricated for one-to-one discussions. Each booth was constructed around a painted metal frame, providing a consistent structural system across the full installation. The frames were clad in MDF and finished with vinyl branding across the lower wall sections.

The upper portion of each booth incorporated printed acrylic panels, introducing a lighter visual layer above the solid MDF construction. A circular MDF signboard was positioned at the top corner of each unit to identify the individual meeting booth.

The coordinated dark blue panel system, repeated branding positions and circular booth identifiers created a clear and organised meeting environment. The partitions defined each discussion area while maintaining visual continuity across the wider B2B space.

Cable-management provisions were incorporated into the rear wall of every booth, allowing power and data connections to be routed discreetly behind the scenic finishes. This helped keep the visible meeting areas clear while supporting the operational requirements of each position.

Producing 35 repeated units required controlled dimensions, consistent graphic placement and a planned assembly sequence. The combination of painted metal framing, MDF cladding, printed acrylic panels and integrated cable management allowed the booths to function as both branded scenic structures and practical meeting environments.

Supporting the Breakout and Press Environments

Evolution Scenic designed, fabricated and installed two additional stages for the breakout sessions and press conference programme. The first stage was constructed as a five-metre-diameter circular platform standing 300 millimetres high. The stage was finished with PVC flooring and incorporated LED lighting within the access steps. An acrylic lightbox logo was integrated into the front fascia, creating a clear illuminated branding feature at audience level.

An LED screen backdrop was positioned directly behind the stage, with freestanding acrylic logo lightbox totems installed on both sides of the screen. Together, the circular platform, illuminated fascia and freestanding scenic elements created a compact secondary environment that remained visually connected to the principal Investopia stage.

The second stage measured 4.8 metres by 2.4 metres and stood 150 millimetres high. It was finished with PVC flooring and included LED lighting at the stage corners. A press conference table arrangement was positioned on the platform to support interviews and media sessions.

An LED screen formed the backdrop directly behind the stage. On the opposite side of the platform, Evolution Scenic installed a three-metre-high angled scenic wall finished with vinyl branding. Although the two stages used different dimensions and layouts, consistent finishes, illuminated details and Investopia branding allowed the breakout and press environments to operate independently while remaining part of the same overall scenic system.

Creating the Pre-Function Scenic Features

The pre-function scope included branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding scenic walls and interactive areas for interviews, photography and promotional content. These elements extended the scenic treatment beyond the principal conference rooms and created a series of branded environments within the surrounding circulation spaces.

The TV studio backdrops were constructed around painted metal frames clad in MDF. The lower sections were finished with vinyl branding, while the upper portions incorporated acrylic sheets with printed vinyl logos. Door access was integrated into each enclosed studio area, allowing production personnel and authorised users to enter the space without interrupting the visible branded surfaces.

Evolution Scenic also produced 13 freestanding branded walls in a range of heights, including 2.4 metres, three metres and 3.6 metres. Each wall was finished with a high-resolution printed fabric banner, creating large-format branded surfaces across the pre-function area.

The variation in height created visual hierarchy while allowing the scenic walls to respond to different positions, sightlines and branding requirements. Together, the metal-framed studio backdrops, printed acrylic logo sections and fabric-finished freestanding walls created a coordinated series of scenic focal points around the main conference spaces.

Extending the Environment onto the Terrace

Evolution Scenic also delivered bespoke scenic elements for the gala dinner on the Hilton’s outdoor terrace. The principal feature consisted of three connected circular structures positioned on top of a raised platform. Each structure was fabricated from a steel frame clad in MDF, creating a rigid scenic form with a clean finished surface.

Radial metalwork extended through the centre of the circular composition, while an open circular focal point remained visible within the structure. This layered construction added depth without creating a fully enclosed scenic wall. The three circular structures were connected across the upper section, allowing them to read as one continuous architectural installation. Their repeated geometry extended the circular design language established throughout the Investopia environment.

Ambient lighting was incorporated around the terrace to emphasise the scenic forms and support the evening setting. The lighting highlighted the circular profiles, radial metalwork and raised platform after dark. Furniture arrangements, branded flags, plinths and freestanding totems were positioned throughout the terrace area. These elements extended the project branding beyond the central feature and created a coordinated scenic environment across the wider outdoor space.

Together, the steel-framed circular structures, radial metalwork, raised platform, ambient lighting and supporting branded elements created a sophisticated temporary environment for the evening programme.

Coordinating Installation Across Multiple Areas

The project required scenic installation across several rooms and operating environments within the same venue, with each area presenting different access, sequencing and coordination requirements.

The principal stage and two secondary stages needed to align with the wider technical production programme, while the 35 meeting booths required repeated installation across the B2B area. The pre-function scenic features occupied shared circulation spaces, requiring careful positioning so that the branded structures could be installed without disrupting the overall venue layout.

The outdoor terrace introduced a separate installation environment, with the raised platform, connected circular structures, branded elements, furniture and ambient lighting all requiring coordinated placement. A multi-space project of this scale depended on a controlled installation sequence. Larger scenic structures needed to be positioned before surrounding furniture, technical equipment and other production elements reduced access to the working areas.

The repeated meeting booths also required consistent spacing and alignment across the completed B2B environment. Coordinating the installation in this way allowed the main stage, secondary stages, meeting area, pre-function features and terrace elements to be delivered as one connected scenic environment.

Delivering a Cohesive Conference Environment

The completed Investopia installation connected several different physical settings through one consistent scenic identity. The 21-metre main stage provided the principal architectural environment, while the six-metre reflective circular logo introduced a large custom-fabricated focal point within the wider conference setting. The 35 meeting booths translated the same branding language into a repeated functional system designed for one-to-one discussions.

The two secondary stages, branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding scenic walls, interactive areas and outdoor terrace features extended the design language across the remainder of the venue. Although each area served a different purpose, repeated circular forms, coordinated finishes, branded surfaces and integrated lighting helped maintain visual continuity throughout the project.

The result demonstrates how scenic fabrication can support a conference environment at several different scales. Large sculptural structures establish visual presence, while stages, partitions, backdrops, meeting booths and supporting scenic elements organise the practical use of each space. By coordinating these individual components as one complete installation, Evolution Scenic created a multifunctional temporary environment that supported conference presentations, press activity, networking, meetings and evening hospitality within a unified scenic system.