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.

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.

Creating a Complete Visit Saudi Hospitality Environment

The Visit Saudi Hospitality Tent was developed as a welcoming hub for guests attending Dubai 7s on 2–3 December 2023. Evolution Scenic handled the complete design, technical development, fabrication, installation and de-rig, creating a temporary hospitality environment that extended beyond the main tent into dedicated outdoor and back-of-house areas.

The project combined scenic construction, branded architecture, furniture, catering infrastructure, digital media and operational equipment within one coordinated environment. The outdoor entrance zone provided branded seating, shade and visibility before guests entered the main hospitality space, helping establish the Visit Saudi identity from the point of arrival.

Inside, the main tent combined reception, dining, buffet service, informal seating, displays and wall-mounted media within a custom-fabricated scenic interior. These different functions were planned as part of one overall spatial arrangement, allowing guest circulation, seating and catering activity to operate without visually fragmenting the environment.

A separate catering tent positioned behind the main structure supported the operational requirements of the hospitality environment without occupying the principal guest-facing space. This allowed catering support to remain closely connected to the main tent while keeping service activity separate from the primary hospitality areas.

Across the project, Evolution Scenic used aluminium framing, MDF scenic construction, textured finishes, barasti pole treatments, vinyl graphics, acrylic branding, custom counters, selected carpet and integrated scenic lighting to establish a consistent visual language. Natural textures and neutral scenic finishes provided a controlled architectural base for the stronger Visit Saudi graphics and branded elements.

The completed installation demonstrated how a temporary event footprint could be developed into a complete hospitality environment through coordinated scenic fabrication, technical development and site delivery. Outdoor seating, interior architecture, branding and operational support were brought together as one integrated temporary environment rather than treated as separate elements.

Planning Three Connected Operational Zones

The project was organised across three distinct but connected areas. A 15-by-10-metre outdoor seating zone formed the entrance and first point of engagement. A 15-by-15-metre main hospitality tent contained the reception, seating, catering, display and branded-engagement functions. A separate 5-by-5-metre tent positioned behind the main structure provided back-of-house catering support.

Each area required a different operational approach. The outdoor zone needed to accommodate informal hospitality while maintaining a clear route towards the main entrance. Evolution Scenic supplied ten branded high tables, each configured for six guests and paired with Arrow barstools.

Four cantilever umbrellas provided shade across the seating area, while six branded flagpoles strengthened visibility within the wider event environment. Six plants were incorporated into the layout to soften the relationship between the freestanding furniture, branding and temporary surroundings. Inside the main tent, the spatial plan needed to coordinate dining, lounge seating, reception, buffet service, display areas, screens and operational equipment within one 15-by-15-metre footprint.

The separate back-of-house tent supported catering requirements connected to the three buffet counters without placing these functions within the principal guest environment. This three-zone approach allowed arrival, hospitality and operational support to work together while retaining clear functional separation.

Building an Interior Architecture Inside the Tent

The main hospitality tent was transformed from a standard temporary enclosure into a more defined scenic interior through custom walling, ceiling construction, floor finishes and integrated architectural features. One of the principal elements was the aluminium-framed ceiling finished with barasti poles. This overhead treatment helped establish a stronger architectural character within the tent and visually separated the guest environment from the temporary structure above.

The aluminium framework provided the supporting structure for the repeated timber treatment, creating a warmer architectural plane beneath the tent roof. The regular spacing of the barasti poles introduced texture and rhythm across the ceiling while reinforcing the natural material language used throughout the interior. The linear barasti finish also helped visually control the scale of the 15-by-15-metre space, giving the large tent a more contained and considered interior character.

Custom scenic lighting features were incorporated across the ceiling and walls, strengthening the relationship between the overhead treatment, wall features and branded focal points. The lighting became part of the scenic composition rather than functioning only as general illumination. The scenic walls were clad in MDF and finished with textured paint. This created a consistent architectural surface while allowing selected branding, digital displays and decorative features to remain visually prominent.

Barasti was also incorporated into selected wall features, particularly behind branded acrylic panels. Repeating the same material across both vertical and overhead surfaces helped connect the different parts of the interior and maintain a consistent visual language. Together, the ceiling, scenic walling, textured finishes, lighting and branded features gave the temporary tent a more complete interior architecture, allowing the hospitality space to function as a purpose-designed environment rather than a standard event enclosure.

Fabricating Functional Scenic and Branded Features

Evolution Scenic fabricated a series of functional scenic elements that supported reception, catering, display and brand communication within the main tent. Three buffet counters provided the principal guest-facing catering service points.

A separate reception counter established a clear welcome position within the interior and formed part of the wider scenic composition rather than operating as a standalone furniture item. One custom display plinth provided a dedicated presentation feature, while four timber floating shelves were mounted onto the scenic walls to introduce additional display surfaces without taking up floor space.

Branding was integrated throughout the scenic architecture. Selected vinyl graphics were applied across designated wall surfaces, while branded acrylic panels were mounted against barasti backdrops to create a layered combination of dimensional branding and natural texture. Wall-mounted television screens introduced digital content into the environment and were coordinated with the surrounding scenic walls and guest areas.

The project also incorporated logo branding, printed banner graphics, flags and a branded entrance. Outside, the branding continued across the ten high tables and six flagpoles, extending the visual identity beyond the main tent. Using a combination of dimensional acrylic elements, vinyl graphics, printed banners, screens and freestanding branding allowed Visit Saudi’s identity to appear at different scales throughout the complete hospitality environment.

Coordinating Furniture, Finishes and Guest Areas

Selected carpet was installed across the floor of the main hospitality tent, establishing a continuous finished surface beneath the seating, counters and display features. The carpet also visually separated the main guest interior from the outdoor entrance area. Eight natural-finished solid-wood round tables were arranged as four-seat hospitality settings.

Their repeated layout created structured dining areas while retaining smaller group configurations throughout the tent. Sofa seating introduced lower and more informal hospitality settings alongside the dining arrangements. The natural timber furniture complemented the barasti ceiling and wall treatments, creating a connection between the loose furniture and the fabricated scenic architecture.

Furniture positioning was coordinated with the three buffet counters, reception point, display plinth, wall-mounted television screens and floating shelves. This meant the furniture layout formed part of the overall spatial planning rather than being introduced only as final dressing.

Clear relationships between fixed scenic elements and movable furniture allowed the different hospitality functions to remain identifiable without visually fragmenting the main tent. The combination of textured scenic surfaces, natural timber finishes and selected carpet created a restrained background for the stronger Visit Saudi graphics and branding.

 Integrating Operational Equipment and Catering Support

The main hospitality tent required four freestanding air-conditioning units and six fire extinguishers. Rather than allowing this equipment to remain visually disconnected from the scenic interior, Evolution Scenic produced custom covers to integrate it into the wider environment. The air-conditioning covers were fabricated from MDF and finished with paint.

CNC-cut openings were incorporated into the front fascias to provide ventilation while maintaining a controlled scenic appearance. The backs of the covers remained open, providing access to cables and operational connections. This approach allowed the units to remain functional while reducing their visual impact within the finished interior. Six fire extinguishers were also incorporated using custom scenic covers.

The detailed construction, opening arrangement and identification treatment of these covers have not been supplied and should therefore not be described beyond the confirmed project information. Catering operations were supported by the dedicated 5-by-5-metre back-of-house tent positioned behind the main hospitality space.

This separate area supported the three buffet counters while keeping operational catering activity outside the principal guest environment. Together, the equipment covers and dedicated catering zone demonstrate how operational requirements were considered as part of the scenic planning rather than treated as separate elements after the interior had been developed.

Installing, Delivering and De-Rigging the Complete Environment

Evolution Scenic managed the complete site installation and de-rig across the outdoor seating zone, main hospitality tent and back-of-house catering area. Installation required coordination between scenic walling, ceiling construction, flooring, furniture, branding, lighting, digital screens, counters and operational equipment.

Within the main tent, the aluminium-framed barasti ceiling and MDF-clad scenic walls formed the principal architectural elements. The selected carpet, reception counter, three buffet counters, display plinth, timber floating shelves and furniture then needed to be positioned around the established guest circulation and service requirements. Wall-mounted acrylic branding panels, television screens, vinyl graphics and custom scenic lighting features required coordinated positions across the completed wall and ceiling surfaces.

The outdoor area required the installation and positioning of ten branded high tables with Arrow barstools, four cantilever umbrellas, six branding flagpoles and six plants. Behind the main tent, the separate catering structure supported the operational delivery of the hospitality environment.

Following the event, Evolution Scenic also managed the de-rig of the complete temporary installation. The exact fabrication programme, installation duration, crew size, transport arrangements and de-rig schedule have not been supplied.

The completed project brought together outdoor hospitality, custom scenic interiors, branded fabrication, furniture, catering support and operational equipment within one coordinated temporary environment. It demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s capability across complete design, technical development, scenic fabrication, temporary architecture, installation and de-rig.

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.

Fabricating A Compact UAE Food Bank Campaign Stand

The UAE Food Bank partnered with Madinat Jumeirah LLC to develop a campaign stand in Dubai during 2023. The project required a compact but visually defined environment that could combine campaign branding, digital content, interactive technology and integrated lighting within a restricted stand footprint.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for the complete scope of work, covering design, technical development, scenic fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig. Managing the full package allowed the structural, scenic and branded elements to be developed together rather than introduced as separate components during installation.

The completed stand measured 4.6 metres by 4.6 metres. Within this footprint, Evolution Scenic fabricated steel-framed walls with MDF scenic cladding and textured wallpaper finishes, together with a sloped polycarbonate roof structure. Integrated screens, LED lighting, illuminated flooring and custom branding elements were incorporated throughout the stand.

The interior also included a purpose-built MDF iPad unit for touch-enabled interaction, while the central wall housed a large LED screen. Additional built-in screens were integrated into the triangular feature wall, allowing digital content to become part of the scenic architecture rather than relying on freestanding display equipment.

The completed environment brought structural metalwork, scenic carpentry, graphics, lighting and digital integration into one coordinated system. By developing the roof, walls, screens, illuminated flooring and interactive elements as part of the same fabrication approach, Evolution Scenic created a compact campaign stand with a consistent physical and visual language.

Organising The Environment Within A Restricted Footprint

The 4.6-by-4.6-metre stand required careful use of the available wall and floor area. Within this compact footprint, Evolution Scenic needed to integrate structural walling, digital displays, interactive technology, lighting and campaign branding without making the space feel visually fragmented.

A large central LED screen formed the principal digital focal point, while additional built-in screens were incorporated into the triangular feature wall. These display elements had to be coordinated with the surrounding scenic construction so that the screens appeared as part of the fabricated wall system rather than as separate technical installations.

The walls therefore performed several functions at the same time. Steel-framed structures established the stand footprint, MDF cladding created the finished scenic surfaces, and the wall elevations provided dedicated locations for screens, LED lighting and branded features. This allowed the available vertical surfaces to work efficiently within the restricted plan.

At floor level, the vinyl finish incorporated integrated lighting effects. The illuminated lines extended the geometric language of the feature walls across the horizontal surface, helping visually connect the central screen, interactive iPad unit and surrounding branded elements.

The resulting arrangement allowed several different functions to operate within a relatively small stand. Digital content, interaction, branding and lighting were distributed across the environment while the overall scenic construction remained clear, coordinated and visually consistent.

Engineering The Sloped Steel-Framed Roof

The stand was constructed with a controlled change in height, measuring 3.3 metres at the rear and 3.2 metres at the front. This 100-millimetre difference created the sloped roof profile and gave the upper structure a more defined architectural form.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the roof around a steel structural frame. The steelwork established the perimeter of the overhead structure, connected with the supporting scenic walls and provided the rigidity required for the roof assembly within the compact 4.6-by-4.6-metre footprint.

Polycarbonate panels were installed across the steel frame to complete the roof surface.

Compared with a fully solid scenic ceiling, the polycarbonate treatment kept the overhead element visually lighter while still creating a clearly defined roof plane above the stand.

The roof also had an important functional role in supporting the suspended central logo. A custom MDF logo with a paint finish was hung beneath the structure using steel rope supports, making the roof part of both the architectural and branding system rather than simply an overhead covering.

Accurate coordination between the front and rear wall heights, steel frame, polycarbonate panels and suspended feature was essential to maintain the intended slope. The completed assembly created a clean upper profile while providing a secure structural framework for one of the stand’s principal scenic elements.

Suspending The Central Scenic Logo

A custom scenic logo was suspended beneath the centre of the sloped roof, creating one of the stand’s most prominent overhead features. Its position allowed the branding to remain clearly visible within the compact 4.6-by-4.6-metre environment without using any additional floor space.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the logo as a custom MDF structure and completed it with a paint finish. Rather than applying the branding directly to a wall or fascia, the logo was developed as a separate three-dimensional scenic element with its own physical depth and presence.

The finished logo was suspended from the steel roof structure using steel rope supports. These connections needed to be coordinated with the roof frame so that the logo could be positioned centrally beneath the polycarbonate panels while remaining visually balanced within the stand.

Dimensional accuracy was important during both fabrication and installation. The location of the suspension points, the size of the MDF structure and the relationship between the logo and the sloped roof all needed to align correctly so the feature remained centred and visually consistent.

The completed suspended element reinforced the campaign identity at high level and added another layer to the stand’s scenic construction. By integrating the logo into the roof structure, Evolution Scenic created a strong branded focal point while preserving the limited floor area for screens, interaction and circulation.

Constructing The Triangular Feature Walls

The stand’s visual language was developed around a series of triangular wall forms that gave the environment a distinctive geometric character. These shapes helped define the main display areas while creating a consistent relationship between the scenic construction, integrated technology and campaign branding.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the feature walls using steel-framed structures clad with MDF. The steelwork provided the underlying support, while the MDF created the finished scenic surfaces required for the integrated screens, lighting details and applied branding. Textured wallpaper was then used across the visible front faces to complete the wall treatment.

The triangular-themed wall incorporated LED lighting, built-in screens and prominent branding elements within the same fabricated assembly. Openings for the screens, illuminated details and finished wall surfaces therefore needed to be coordinated during fabrication rather than introduced as separate elements after installation.

The triangular geometry was also carried through the illuminated detailing. Accurate setting-out was required so the LED lines followed the intended angles and remained visually consistent around the screen openings and surrounding scenic surfaces. This helped reinforce the geometric character of the stand across both the physical wall construction and the lighting treatment.

The completed feature walls combined structural support, scenic cladding, digital displays, lighting and branding within one coordinated elevation. Rather than treating the screens as standalone technical equipment, Evolution Scenic integrated them directly into the fabricated wall system, allowing the digital content to become part of the overall scenic architecture.

Integrating The Central LED Screen Wall

A separate central feature wall was developed to house the stand’s principal LED screen and create the main digital focal point within the environment. Its position gave the screen a strong visual presence while keeping it integrated with the surrounding scenic architecture.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the wall using a steel-framed structure clad with MDF. The LED screen was incorporated directly into the wall assembly rather than positioned as freestanding technical equipment, allowing the display to sit within a controlled architectural frame.

Textured wallpaper continued across the visible wall surfaces around the screen. This finish connected the central display wall with the rest of the stand and helped maintain a consistent scenic treatment across the different fabricated elements.

The screen opening, MDF cladding and surrounding finishes were coordinated during fabrication so that the digital equipment could be integrated cleanly into the completed wall. This reduced the visual separation between the technical display and the scenic structure, allowing both to read as part of one designed environment.

The completed central wall acted as the primary digital presentation surface, while the additional built-in screens within the triangular feature wall extended screen-based content across the wider stand. Together, these elements created a coordinated display system integrated directly into the scenic construction.

Fabricating The Ribbed Branding Wall

A further scenic wall treatment introduced painted rib panels with a backlit logo positioned above them. This created a more dimensional surface within the stand and provided a clear visual contrast to the flatter textured-wallpaper finishes used across the other fabricated walls.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the ribbed wall elements as part of the wider scenic package and completed them with a paint finish. The repeated vertical detailing added depth to the wall surface while creating a structured backdrop for the illuminated branding.

The backlit logo was then fixed above the ribbed section in its designated position. Integrating the logo directly into the wall composition allowed the illumination to reinforce the campaign identity without relying on a separate freestanding sign or additional display structure.

This wall-mounted branding feature worked differently from the suspended MDF logo beneath the roof. Together, the two elements created branding at different levels within the stand, with one integrated into the scenic wall elevation and the other suspended overhead as a three-dimensional focal point.

Additional illuminated signage was also incorporated elsewhere within the stand. By combining ribbed scenic detailing, painted finishes and backlit branding, Evolution Scenic created a more layered wall treatment while maintaining consistency with the wider fabricated environment.

Creating The Interactive iPad Stand

Evolution Scenic fabricated a custom MDF stand to hold an iPad, creating a dedicated interactive element within the stand rather than relying on a standard technology pedestal. The upper section of the unit incorporated a purpose-made provision for the device, allowing the iPad to sit securely within the fabricated structure and operate as a touch-enabled interaction point.

Developing the unit as a bespoke scenic element helped it relate visually to the surrounding walls, digital displays and branded features. Its form could therefore be coordinated with the wider stand rather than appearing as a separate technical addition.

The iPad stand supported both guest interaction and ceremonial use, giving the stand a functional digital touchpoint within the compact 4.6-by-4.6-metre footprint.

Positioning the unit close to the main display area allowed the interactive and screen-based elements to work together as one coordinated zone. The finished piece combined practical device integration with the same MDF fabrication approach used across the wider scenic environment.

Coordinating Flooring, Lighting And Glass Branding

Durable vinyl flooring was installed throughout the stand, providing a practical finished surface across the compact 4.6-by-4.6-metre footprint while also contributing to the overall scenic treatment.

Integrated lighting effects were incorporated into the floor finish, creating illuminated linear details that extended the stand’s geometric language from the walls into the horizontal plane. This helped connect the central screen wall, triangular feature walls and interactive iPad unit through one consistent visual approach.

The floor lighting also added definition without introducing additional freestanding scenic elements. By integrating the illuminated details directly into the flooring, Evolution Scenic was able to reinforce the stand’s visual identity while keeping the circulation area clear and uncluttered.

Glass panels etched with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum logo introduced a contrasting material treatment within the environment. Their transparent appearance provided a lighter visual counterpoint to the solid MDF-clad walls, textured wallpaper and painted rib-panel surfaces.

Together with the illuminated signage, backlit wall logo and suspended roof feature, the etched glass panels formed part of a layered branding system. Different materials, lighting methods and mounting positions were used to reinforce the campaign identity while maintaining consistency across the complete scenic installation.

Installing And Completing The Stand

Evolution Scenic handled the complete installation and subsequent de-rig, bringing together the structural, scenic, digital and branding packages within the compact 4.6-by-4.6-metre footprint.

The installation sequence coordinated the steel-framed walls, MDF cladding, textured wallpaper finishes, sloped polycarbonate roof, integrated screens, lighting, glass branding and custom scenic elements. Each component needed to be positioned accurately so the finished stand maintained the intended geometry and visual consistency.

The roof structure and suspended MDF logo required careful alignment above the completed walls, while the central LED screen, built-in displays and interactive iPad stand needed to correspond precisely with their fabricated openings and provisions. The illuminated floor lines also had to align with the wall geometry and feature details.

These interfaces were important to the overall result. Misalignment between the screen wall, triangular feature elements, illuminated flooring or suspended logo would have disrupted the clarity of the design and weakened the relationship between the different scenic components.

The stand was completed in accordance with the client schedule and instructions. The finished environment demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s ability to coordinate structural metalwork, scenic fabrication, finishes, digital integration, lighting and custom branding within a compact temporary installation.