Engineering the Interactive Scenic Environment

The ADEO EC Retreat TP took place in Abu Dhabi in 2025, with Evolution Scenic delivering the complete fabrication and installation of the interactive scenic environment. The project comprised a coordinated series of freestanding workshop walls, participant engagement features and tinted-acrylic display structures. Each element was developed around a specific workshop function, including strategic discussion, voting, idea development, mapping and participant feedback.

To create consistency across the different installations, Evolution Scenic developed a common structural methodology for the freestanding scenic walls. Each unit incorporated a timber-framed internal structure positioned on a plywood base and finished with MDF cladding to create smooth architectural surfaces for paint and printed vinyl application.

The lower sections of the walls incorporated concealed counterweight supports, allowing the structures to remain stable without permanent fixing to the existing venue architecture. Removable rear access panels were integrated into the base areas so the counterweight zones could be reached during positioning, installation and final adjustment.

This repeatable structural system created a reliable technical foundation across the project while allowing each wall to adopt its own scale, graphic treatment and interactive components. By maintaining a shared construction language throughout the installation, the different workshop features could operate as individual engagement tools while still reading as part of one coordinated temporary scenic environment.

Fabricating the Answer, Voting and Ideation Walls

The Write Your Answer Wall, Voting Wall and Ideation Wall were developed using the same principal freestanding scenic construction methodology. Each structure incorporated a timber-framed internal support system mounted on a plywood base and finished with MDF cladding. The MDF provided a clean, continuous surface across the participant-facing elevations while also creating a suitable substrate for the applied graphic finishes.

Printed vinyl graphics were applied to the visible wall faces according to the individual workshop layouts. This allowed each installation to perform a different engagement function while maintaining the same construction quality and visual consistency.

The Write Your Answer Wall provided a dedicated surface for participant responses, while the Voting Wall and Ideation Wall were organised around their respective workshop activities.

Behind the finished surfaces, the timber framing, counterweight supports and structural interfaces remained concealed within the scenic assembly.

Removable rear access panels allowed the lower support areas to remain serviceable during installation without interrupting the clean architectural appearance of the participant-facing sides. Using a shared construction system across these walls also created consistency in proportion, finish and structural behaviour, helping the separate workshop elements read as one integrated scenic package rather than unrelated standalone displays.

Constructing the Lovable Abu Dhabi Interactive Feature Wall

The Lovable Abu Dhabi Wall introduced additional three-dimensional and physical interaction into the standard freestanding wall construction. The principal structure was developed using the same timber-framed support methodology, with a plywood base, MDF cladding and a printed vinyl finish across the main participant-facing surface.

Small MDF boxes were incorporated on both sides of the wall, extending selected parts of the installation beyond the primary display plane and introducing a more layered scenic composition.

The centre section incorporated 40-millimetre nails positioned according to the approved design. These formed part of the physical interaction system and required accurate placement in relation to the surrounding graphic content.

Because the wall combined flat graphic surfaces with projecting MDF components and fixed interaction points, workshop setting-out was particularly important.

The MDF boxes, nails, printed graphics and wall proportions all needed to align correctly so the finished feature operated as one coordinated assembly rather than a collection of separately added components.

The internal timber frame and counterweighted plywood base provided the concealed support required for the projecting elements while maintaining the overall stability of the freestanding wall. This combination of structural fabrication, applied graphics and participant-facing details transformed the wall from a conventional display surface into a more dimensional interactive scenic feature.

Integrating Clear Acrylic into the AD Map Wall

The AD Map Wall combined conventional scenic wall construction with an integrated transparent display element. The primary structure was fabricated using timber framing, a plywood base and MDF cladding, with printed vinyl graphics applied across the main wall surfaces.

A precision groove was formed within the front fascia to receive a three-millimetre clear-acrylic panel.

This construction method allowed the acrylic to become part of the wall assembly rather than appearing as a separately fixed surface attached over the front of the scenic structure.

A light-green painted border framed the acrylic section and created a visual separation between the transparent map area and the surrounding printed graphics. The integration required careful coordination between the groove dimensions, acrylic panel size, painted perimeter and vinyl layout.

Maintaining the correct fit was important both visually and technically, as the acrylic needed to sit securely within the scenic fascia while remaining clean and accurately aligned with the surrounding graphic information.

The completed wall therefore combined solid MDF construction, painted detailing, printed vinyl and clear acrylic within one layered architectural composition.

This approach added material contrast to the wider retreat environment while retaining the structural language used across the other freestanding workshop walls.

Building the Projected Longevity Wall

The Longevity Wall was developed as a layered scenic structure rather than a conventional flat graphic backdrop. The primary installation used timber-framed internal construction with a plywood base and MDF cladding, finished with printed vinyl graphics across the main surfaces.

Its defining feature was the incorporation of three projecting wall sections extending forward from the principal display plane.

Each projection was individually finished with vinyl, allowing the graphic treatment to continue across multiple architectural surfaces rather than being contained within a single flat elevation.

The projecting elements introduced physical depth into the installation and created a stronger sense of hierarchy within the wall composition.

Their fabrication required accurate dimensional control so the three sections aligned correctly with the main wall while maintaining consistent spacing and clean edge relationships.

The concealed timber framing provided the necessary support for both the primary wall and the forward scenic sections, while the plywood base and lower counterweight system maintained the stability of the complete freestanding assembly.

By translating the graphic design into a series of layered physical planes, the Longevity Wall demonstrated how scenic fabrication could extend a two-dimensional workshop concept into a more architectural three-dimensional feature.

Manufacturing the Tinted-Acrylic Workshop Installations

Evolution Scenic fabricated separate green- and orange-tinted acrylic workshop installations using a layered combination of opaque and transparent scenic materials. Each structure incorporated a plywood base with MDF-clad scenic boxes forming the lower architectural volume.

Tinted acrylic walls were installed above the base structures and finished with transparent vinyl graphics. This allowed the colour and translucency of the acrylic to remain visible while still carrying the required branded and workshop information. A plain MDF wall formed the backdrop to each installation and was finished with printed vinyl graphics.

The relationship between the transparent foreground panels and the solid printed background created a layered visual composition that differed from the fully opaque freestanding workshop walls used elsewhere in the retreat. Accurate alignment was required between the tinted acrylic, applied transparent graphics, MDF-clad boxes and rear backdrop surfaces so the complete structure presented as one controlled scenic assembly. Although the green and orange installations used different acrylic colours, they shared the same principal fabrication methodology and material arrangement.

This repeatable approach allowed the two stands to remain visually related while still creating distinct colour identities within the wider scenic environment. The use of tinted acrylic also introduced a lighter and more translucent architectural quality, providing material variation within the overall project without moving away from the established design language.

Coordinating Scenic Finishes, Installation & Delivery

The completed scenic package combined painted surfaces, printed vinyl graphics and transparent vinyl applications across the different wall and acrylic assemblies. Printed vinyl formed the principal graphic finish across the MDF-clad workshop walls and backdrop surfaces, allowing large-format information and branded content to be integrated directly into the scenic construction.

Paint was used on selected architectural details, including the light-green border surrounding the clear-acrylic panel on the AD Map Wall. Transparent vinyl was applied to the green and orange tinted acrylic panels so the workshop graphics could be introduced without obscuring the colour and translucent character of the acrylic itself.

Successful delivery depended on close coordination between the fabrication and installation stages. The plywood bases, concealed counterweight supports, timber-framed wall sections, projecting scenic features and acrylic components all needed to align correctly once positioned within the venue.

Removable rear access panels provided access to the counterweight areas during final placement and adjustment, while the freestanding construction allowed the walls to be installed without permanent fixing to the existing interior architecture. The clear and tinted acrylic components required controlled handling during delivery and installation to protect their visible surfaces and maintain accurate alignment with the surrounding MDF structures and applied graphics.

Final positioning also needed to preserve the intended relationship between the workshop installations, existing interior elements and circulation areas. Evolution Scenic completed the full scenic build and installation in accordance with the client’s regulations.

The finished environment brought together scenic carpentry, counterweighted freestanding construction, MDF fabrication, acrylic integration, applied graphics and participant interaction within one coordinated temporary architectural system.

BUILDING TWO TEMPORARY MAJLIS ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE FOUNDER’S MEMORIAL LAUNCH

The opening of The Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi required a temporary environment suited to the significance of the occasion and the setting of the Emirates Palace lawn. Two large majlis structures were created, providing a combined covered area of 1,000 square metres and accommodating a complete programme of arrival, display, seating and hospitality.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for the design, technical development, fabrication and installation of the two environments. The scope combined an I-Novation temporary structural system, ten-metre scaffold-supported façades, illuminated wooden mashrabiya, a 50-metre entrance ramp, 5.3-metre CNC-cut display panels and custom white furniture.

The project was developed over an approximately two-month programme. Within that period, the structural enclosures, exterior architecture, interior scenery, lighting and furniture all needed to progress as parts of one coordinated temporary build. The scale of the work placed it much closer to temporary architecture than a conventional marquee fit-out, with the scenic elements defining the physical character of both majlis environments.

DEVELOPING THE TWO MAJLIS STRUCTURES

The I-Novation system established the principal enclosed volumes and fabric roofs of the two majlis structures. Evolution Scenic supplied and installed the temporary system before developing the scenic architecture around and within it.

This underlying structure provided the weather-protected space, but it was never intended to remain as the visible identity of the project. The external elevations, entrance route and internal display features transformed the functional enclosure into a purpose-built ceremonial environment.

The fabric roof incorporated rainwater drainage, allowing the structures to respond to possible rainfall while maintaining the covered interior. This requirement influenced the temporary architecture from the outset, because water management had to remain integrated with the roof geometry and structural arrangement.

Internally, the large open spans created sufficient volume for tall display panels and extensive seating without making the spaces feel crowded. Externally, the temporary structures provided the base around which the ten-metre scenic façades could be developed. Each layer had a distinct function, but the completed environment depended on them aligning accurately and appearing as one considered structure.

ENGINEERING THE TEN-METRE FAÇADES

Ten-metre-high scaffold walls created the principal external elevations around the majlis structures. At this height, the façade system needed to maintain stable geometry across large areas while supporting timber cladding, integrated lighting and the repeated mashrabiya pattern.

The scaffold provided the working structural framework, allowing the external architecture to rise well above the roofline of the primary enclosures. Custom wooden panels were then installed against this support system, concealing the functional construction and establishing the visible form.

Repeated linear patterns are particularly sensitive to changes in level and spacing. A small variation in one section can become increasingly obvious when viewed across a long elevation, especially when the pattern is illuminated. Accurate setting-out and controlled panel fabrication were therefore central to the result.

The façade construction also had to account for wind stability. Large areas of scenic cladding attached to a ten-metre support system create a different engineering condition from an open scaffold frame. The relationship between the supporting wall, timber panels and exposed surface area formed part of the technical development and confirmed HSSE planning.

BUILDING THE BACKLIT MASHRABIYA

The wooden mashrabiya panels were developed as illuminated scenic architecture rather than simple decorative screens. Their repeated pattern transformed the scaffold elevations into a refined architectural surface while allowing light to become part of the construction.

Backlighting emphasised the linear geometry after dark, making the façades remain clearly defined across the Emirates Palace lawn. The position of the light sources, the depth of the panels and the spacing of the openings all influenced how evenly the pattern appeared.

Integrated lighting works best when it is coordinated with the scenery before fabrication is complete. The panel construction needs to provide suitable cavities, fixing positions and cable routes, while the supporting framework must keep technical components away from the visible face.

The same geometry continued through the entrance and interior areas, where illumination created patterned shadows across the floor and adjacent surfaces. This allowed the design to extend beyond the timber itself. The physical panel created one layer of detail, while the projected light created another.

The result was a contemporary interpretation of mashrabiya construction that retained the warmth and repetition of the traditional pattern while operating as part of a large temporary façade system.

FABRICATING THE INTERIOR DISPLAY PANELS

Inside the majlis environments, a series of 5.3-metre-high display panels provided the principal scenic architecture. Fabricated from MDF and timber, the panels introduced vertical scale and divided the interiors into a sequence of defined spaces.

CNC machining allowed the component profiles and repeated details to be produced accurately. This was particularly useful at 5.3 metres high, where small inconsistencies near the base could become increasingly visible across the full elevation.

The panels were finished in custom white spray paint, creating a restrained and consistent surface across the MDF and timber construction. Their height allowed them to retain presence within the large open interiors without relying on heavy colour or complex material treatments.

Rare photographs of Sheikh Zayed were integrated into the panels. The imagery became part of the architecture rather than being displayed through conventional freestanding frames or temporary graphic boards.

This gave each panel a dual role. It presented important photographic content at a substantial scale while also organising the interior, establishing framed views and creating transitions between seating and circulation areas.

CONSTRUCTING THE FIFTY-METRE ENTRANCE RAMP

A 50-metre custom entrance ramp created the approach from the Emirates Palace lawn into the raised majlis interiors. Its length made it a substantial part of the environment rather than a simple access connection.

The ramp needed to manage the transition between the surrounding ground level and the internal floor while continuing the visual language of the main structures. White scenic surfaces and illuminated linear panels extended along the route, creating a deliberate progression towards the covered environments.

Long entrance structures require careful control of level, alignment and finish. Variations that appear minor over a short distance become more noticeable across 50 metres, particularly where continuous edges and lighting details guide the eye.

The route also influenced the site logistics. Materials, structural components, tall panels and furniture all needed to reach the work areas without obstructing the final approach or damaging finished sections.

The completed ramp linked access and scenic presentation within one structure. It performed the practical task of bringing people into the raised interior while becoming part of the visual arrival sequence rather than appearing as separate temporary infrastructure.

PRODUCING FURNITURE AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Evolution Scenic directly fabricated the custom white furniture installed within the two majlis interiors. Long upholstered seating elements defined the edges of the spaces, while low tables and supporting pieces established the internal arrangements.

Producing the furniture within the same project scope allowed its dimensions, upholstery and finishes to be coordinated with the scenic panels and circulation routes. The pieces could be developed around the actual interior rather than selected independently and placed into the completed space.

The furniture followed the restrained white palette of the scenic architecture. This allowed it to support the display panels and photographic content without competing for visual attention.

Custom fabrication also provided control over the scale of the seating. Within a 1,000-square-metre combined environment, standard furniture could easily have appeared undersized or created an inconsistent arrangement. Longer pieces established clearer lines and helped organise the open interior.

The relationship between furniture and scenery is often underestimated. Seating affects how people occupy the environment, how routes remain open and how the scenic panels are viewed. Developing both scopes together helped the completed majlis feel cohesive rather than furnished after the architecture had already been fixed.

INSTALLING WITHIN THE EMIRATES PALACE LAWN

Restricted vehicle access across the Emirates Palace lawn shaped the delivery and installation strategy. The I-Novation structures, scaffold systems, façade panels, ramp sections, tall displays and furniture all required planned movement into their final work areas.

The installation followed a coordinated structural sequence. The primary temporary systems established the covered volumes, followed by the ten-metre scaffold elevations. The wooden mashrabiya cladding and integrated lighting were then installed and aligned around the exterior.

Inside, the 5.3-metre panels, photographic content and custom furniture were positioned once the principal structural work had progressed sufficiently to protect the completed finishes.

Working at height formed a significant part of the façade installation. The ten-metre elevations required controlled access, safe working procedures and coordinated movement around partially completed structures. Wind stability, rainwater drainage, restricted logistics and final inspection were all included within the confirmed HSSE controls.

The approximately two-month programme connected design development, workshop manufacturing and site installation. Progress in one area influenced the next, making coordination between technical information, fabrication readiness and site access essential throughout delivery.

BRINGING STRUCTURE AND SCENERY TOGETHER

The completed Founder’s Memorial launch environment combined temporary structural systems and scenic fabrication at architectural scale. Two majlis enclosures provided a combined 1,000 square metres of covered space, while the ten-metre façades gave the installation a strong external presence across the Emirates Palace lawn.

Backlit wooden mashrabiya transformed the scaffold elevations into illuminated architecture. The 50-metre ramp created a considered entrance sequence, and the 5.3-metre CNC-cut panels brought rare photographic content into the interiors at a scale suited to the occasion. Custom white furniture completed the spatial arrangement without competing with the display architecture.

The project depended on several layers working together. The I-Novation structures provided the enclosed volume, scaffold created the external height, timber panels established the visible façade and integrated lighting extended the pattern after dark. Inside, CNC production, spray finishing, photography and furniture created a restrained environment with its own rhythm and scale.

Evolution Scenic carried the work from design development through fabrication and installation, allowing the structural, scenic and operational decisions to remain connected. The finished result shows how a temporary system can be transformed into a purpose-built architectural environment when engineering, materials, lighting and spatial planning are developed through one coordinated process.

Building The LIV Golf Riyadh Scenic Environment

LIV Golf Riyadh took place at Riyadh Golf Club from 6 to 8 February 2025. The project required a series of temporary scenic structures designed to establish a consistent physical identity across the entrance, wayfinding areas and interactive installations, while supporting the scale and energy of the wider event environment.

Evolution Scenic developed the detailed scenic package from a client-supplied concept, translating the creative direction into a coordinated fabrication and installation scope. The confirmed works included the main entrance cladding, dimensional logos, integrated lightboxes, striped floor treatment, a two-metre rotating golf-ball sculpture and its circular platform, a six-metre Range sign, an illuminated IBC maze and the complete nineteenth-hole putting installation.

Rather than relying on a single scenic feature, the environment used several different forms of construction and fabrication. The main entrance operated as a large-scale piece of temporary architecture, combining structural framing, cladding, illuminated branding and graphic finishes. The golf ball functioned as a large-format automated scenic prop, while the Range tower introduced height and illuminated wayfinding within the wider site.

The IBC maze used repeated modular containers to create an immersive walkthrough environment, with integrated lighting transforming the units into illuminated scenic walls. Within the maze, the putting installation added an interactive component that combined scenic fabrication, artificial-grass surfaces, dimensional branding and integrated lighting.

Each element required a different combination of materials, fabrication techniques and installation methods, but all were coordinated through the same graphic, lighting and finishing language. This allowed the separate structures to read as one connected scenic environment across Riyadh Golf Club.

Transforming A Scaffold Into A Scenic Entrance

The entrance began with a supplied scaffolding structure, which provided the primary temporary support but needed to be fully concealed within the finished scenic design. Evolution Scenic installed a secondary framework using aluminium rectangular tube, creating the required planes for the scenic facade while establishing secure fixing positions for the ACP panels, dimensional logos, lightboxes and other visible details. This approach allowed the underlying scaffold geometry to be transformed into a clean and controlled architectural entrance.

The entrance needed to read as a deliberate architectural elevation rather than as cladding applied to a temporary frame. Careful panel setting-out ensured the ACP surfaces aligned around the two entrance openings and provided a consistent background for the illuminated line details and large-scale branding. Dimensional LIV Golf lettering occupied the upper section of the facade, with the Riyadh identification positioned below, while additional logos and illuminated graphic elements were integrated across the front elevation and around the entrance openings.

The scenic treatment continued beyond the vertical entrance structure and onto the approach surface. A striped floor treatment was matched to the client’s specified Pantone colours, extending the visual identity across the complete arrival experience. By combining the scaffold support, aluminium secondary framing, ACP cladding, dimensional branding and integrated lighting, Evolution Scenic created a coordinated temporary architectural installation in which the structural and decorative elements worked together as a single finished environment.

Fabricating And Engineering The Rotating Golf-Ball Sculpture

A two-metre branded golf ball formed the principal sculptural feature in front of the entrance. The sphere was fabricated from CNC-machined foam, allowing the overall shape and repeated dimple pattern to be produced with consistent geometry across the large surface. Following machining, the foam form received a fibreglass coating, creating the finished outer shell and preparing it for the final scenic finish and applied LIV Golf branding.

The golf ball was designed as a moving scenic feature rather than a static prop. Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated the rotation mechanism, developing the sculpture, central shaft, mounting arrangement and supporting structure as connected components. The system needed to support the completed sphere while maintaining a controlled rotational axis, with the visible mounting elements kept visually secondary to the sculptural form.

The completed golf ball was mounted vertically within a custom circular platform positioned in front of the entrance. Artificial grass, painted finishes and dimensional branding helped integrate the base into the wider golf-themed environment while defining the moving feature within the arrival area. The finished installation brought together CNC fabrication, fibreglass finishing, scenic engineering and controlled movement to create a prominent kinetic focal point for the entrance.

Turning IBC Units Into Scenic Architecture

The IBC maze used 1,000-litre intermediate bulk container units as its main construction module.

Rather than concealing the industrial containers, the installation used their visible grid frames and translucent tanks as part of the scenic appearance.

The units were arranged into long walls, internal routes and stacked tower forms. Their repeated size gave the installation a consistent construction rhythm and allowed larger masses to be created from a standard component.

This approach transformed individual storage containers into a temporary architectural system.

The maze was not dependent on applied graphics alone. Its primary visual effect came from the relationship between the modular units, their stacking arrangement and the light transmitted through their translucent surfaces.

Evolution Scenic supplied the custom LED system used across the maze. Resolume control enabled colour changes and programmed effects to operate across the complete installation.

Lighting therefore changed the visual reading of the same physical structure without requiring the container arrangement itself to move.

During daylight, the maze remained visibly constructed from IBC units. At night, the illuminated tanks formed connected fields of colour, turning the industrial components into scenic lightboxes.

Integrating The Nineteenth-Hole Putting Feature

The interactive putting installation was positioned within the IBC environment as a dedicated playable feature within the wider scenic experience. Its main scenic form consisted of a circular illuminated portal reached by an artificial-grass ramp. Raised side structures defined the playing route and helped guide participants towards the target, while layered coloured finishes and integrated lighting gave the piece a strong visual identity that connected with the surrounding illuminated maze.

A dimensional nineteenth-hole sign occupied the top of the portal, with a smaller golf-ball detail incorporated into the centre of the sign. The combination of dimensional branding, lighting and shaped scenic construction helped establish the feature as a focal point while maintaining a clear connection to the golf theme.

The artificial-grass playing surface continued directly through the circular opening, creating a strong relationship between the scenic form and the putting activity itself. This meant the structure could not be developed purely as a decorative backdrop. Its geometry had to preserve a practical and visually clear route towards the target while keeping the portal, side walls, lighting details and dimensional signage balanced as one complete composition.

Together, the fabricated portal, illuminated side details, artificial-grass surface and dimensional signage formed a single integrated interactive installation, combining scenic fabrication with participant engagement inside the wider LIV Golf Riyadh environment.

Fabricating The Six-Metre Range Feature

The Range sign provided a separate vertical marker within the wider site, helping define the area through a combination of height, dimensional branding and integrated illumination.

Its primary support was a six-metre-high scaffold tower. Evolution Scenic added the scenic branding and fully DMX-controlled lightbox, creating a high-level illuminated feature that could remain visually prominent and legible after dark. The sign used dimensional lettering rather than relying only on a printed banner, giving the installation greater depth and allowing the illuminated letterforms to stand out more clearly within the night-time environment.

As with the main entrance, the structural support and scenic finish needed to operate as a coordinated assembly. Fixing positions, access for lighting installation, cable routing and final sign alignment all depended on the geometry of the scaffold tower. The six-metre height also introduced additional installation considerations, making wind loading, secure fixing and scaffold certification important parts of the overall delivery.

The completed feature combined temporary scaffold engineering with dimensional scenic fabrication and controlled lighting, creating a strong vertical landmark that complemented the wider LIV Golf Riyadh visual environment.

Coordinating Materials And Custom Scenic Fabrication

The project used a broad material palette selected to suit the structural, visual and interactive requirements of each element. Steel and aluminium provided framing and secondary support, while MDF, plywood and painted timber were used for shaped scenic components, platforms and custom-built features. ACP formed the clean external surfaces of the main entrance, while acrylic and polycarbonate supported illuminated details and light-diffusing elements.

CNC-machined foam and fibreglass were used for the two-metre rotating golf-ball sculpture, while vinyl graphics, printed panels and artificial grass helped carry the LIV Golf visual identity across the site. Evolution Scenic also fabricated a freestanding illuminated logo using a steel-framed structure with an acrylic lightbox, along with custom plywood truss-base covers finished with paint and printed fabric banners.

The VIP seating area was designed and fabricated with a custom raised platform, carpet finish, coordinated seating and a perimeter handrail. Within the IBC maze, the 1,000-litre units provided both modular structure and illuminated scenic surfaces, with their steel cages and translucent tanks becoming part of the final visual treatment.

Delivering A Complete Outdoor Scenic Environment

The confirmed programme covered approximately one month of fabrication and installation. The outdoor setting required the project to account for weather exposure, wind loading and certified scaffold systems while coordinating multiple scenic structures across Riyadh Golf Club.

At the entrance, the supplied scaffold provided the primary support before Evolution Scenic installed the aluminium secondary frame, ACP cladding, dimensional branding, lightboxes and illuminated details. The rotating golf-ball feature required the positioning of its circular platform, mechanical system and two-metre sculpture, while the six-metre Range structure combined scaffold support, dimensional branding and DMX-controlled illumination.

The IBC maze was assembled from repeated 1,000-litre units before the custom LED system was installed and connected through Resolume control. The nineteenth-hole putting feature, freestanding illuminated logo, VIP seating platform and custom truss-base covers were also installed as part of the wider scenic environment.

Wind loading, weather protection and scaffold certification were confirmed considerations, particularly for the entrance facade, Range tower, freestanding lightbox, stacked IBC units and rotating golf-ball sculpture. Following the tournament, the complete temporary scenic installation was dismantled.

The finished environment brought together temporary architecture, sculptural fabrication, mechanical movement, illuminated branding and interactive construction. From the ACP-clad entrance and rotating golf ball to the IBC maze, putting feature, VIP seating area and supporting branded elements, the project demonstrated how multiple scenic disciplines could be coordinated into one unified LIV Golf Riyadh experience.

Building a Modular Forum Environment at Expo 2020 Dubai

The Qudwa–PISA Global Competence Forum took place at Expo 2020 Dubai on 19 February 2022. Developed around the theme Preparing Students to Live in an Interconnected World, the forum was delivered in collaboration with the OECD and the Bussola Institute.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for developing and delivering the physical scenic environment. The scope extended well beyond the main presentation area and included the stage deck, screen structures, Media Hub installation, partitions, branded backdrops, illuminated totems and plinths, signage, wayfinding and lounge elements.

Each part of the environment performed a different function, but the complete installation needed to operate as one coordinated piece of temporary architecture. This required the stage, technical displays, exhibition structures, branding and supporting elements to share a consistent architectural and graphic language throughout the forum.

Developing the Scenic Concept

Evolution Scenic developed the scenic design rather than working solely from a completed third-party production package. This allowed the visual concept, fabrication methodology, material choices and installation requirements to be considered together from the beginning of the project.

The forum identity was translated into a combination of solid scenic surfaces, framed technical displays, illuminated vertical elements and areas of coloured transparency. The main stage established the strongest architectural expression, with the same visual principles subsequently carried into the Media Hub, partitions, branded structures and wayfinding elements.

Maintaining this continuity was particularly important because the forum contained several distinct functional areas. Consistent proportions, framing, materials and graphics allowed each zone to retain its own purpose while still reading as part of the same temporary environment.

Constructing the Main Stage

The main stage and stage deck formed the central scenic structure within the forum. Evolution Scenic fabricated the physical stage environment, including the deck, surrounding scenic architecture and the metalwork required to integrate the LED screens supplied by Evolution Technical.

MDF, plywood and timber framing formed part of the confirmed material palette. These materials provided adaptable scenic surfaces that could be produced in modular sections and finished with the required graphics and decorative treatments, while metal framing provided additional structural support around the technical display systems.

The screens were treated as integral parts of the stage composition rather than freestanding pieces of equipment. Their positions influenced the proportions of the surrounding architecture, while the fabricated scenic elements established the visual boundaries that connected the displays to the wider stage.

The stage also needed to support practical technical operation. Scenic surrounds were therefore developed around the physical requirements of the screens and their supporting systems, allowing the visible architecture and technical installation to work together as one coordinated environment.

Integrating the LED Systems

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screen systems used within the main stage. Evolution Scenic fabricated the metal structures and scenic surrounds that incorporated those displays into the architecture of the presentation environment.

This required accurate coordination between the dimensions of the technical equipment and the fabricated scenic components. Screen position influenced the spacing, alignment and overall geometry of the surrounding structures, while the scenic architecture determined how the technical equipment was visually framed from the audience position.

The resulting stage combined two connected disciplines. Evolution Scenic created the physical architecture, while Evolution Technical delivered the display systems operating within it, allowing structural, scenic and technical elements to appear as parts of one resolved composition.

The same collaborative approach extended beyond the main auditorium into the Media Hub, where fabricated frames, graphics and technical displays again needed to operate within a shared architectural system.

Fabricating the Media Hub

The Media Hub was developed as a freestanding scenic feature within the wider forum environment. Evolution Scenic fabricated metal-framed panels incorporating coloured transparent sheet and printed graphics, creating a distinct secondary zone without requiring permanent modification to the Expo venue.

The metal frames established the geometry and structural definition of the feature, while the transparent coloured materials introduced layering and visual depth. Unlike solid scenic walls, these surfaces allowed parts of the surrounding environment and structural framing to remain visible, creating a lighter architectural treatment.

Printed graphics were incorporated within the framed composition to connect the Media Hub visually with the wider Qudwa–PISA identity. The relationship between structural frames, transparent panels and graphic surfaces allowed the installation to remain distinctive without feeling disconnected from the main stage environment.

Evolution Technical supplied the display equipment incorporated into the Media Hub. The scenic framing was therefore developed around the technical components so that screens, coloured materials and printed graphics aligned as one coordinated installation.

Producing Partitions and Branded Backdrops

Custom partitions and branded backdrops were fabricated to define different areas throughout the forum. These elements functioned as temporary spatial architecture, providing visual separation, branded surfaces and controlled backgrounds without becoming permanent interventions within the Expo venue.

The confirmed construction palette included MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic, printed fabric and vinyl graphics. Timber-framed panel construction allowed the larger elements to be manufactured as modular sections, while MDF and plywood provided smooth surfaces suitable for consistent graphic and decorative finishes.

Metal framing was incorporated where freestanding structures required additional support or where the construction needed to relate visually to the screen surrounds and Media Hub. This created continuity between the heavier scenic walling and the lighter framed structures positioned elsewhere within the environment.

Together, the partitions and backdrops extended the architectural language beyond the main stage. They helped organise the venue spatially while providing a consistent physical framework for branding, interpretation and circulation.

Branded Totems, Plinths, Signage and Reception Counters

Evolution Scenic fabricated MDF totems and plinths finished with vinyl graphics to create smaller branded focal points throughout the forum. These elements extended the visual identity into areas where a full scenic wall or large architectural installation was unnecessary.

Reception counters, signage and wayfinding used the same coordinated approach to graphics, proportions and finishes. Their scale was smaller than the principal scenic structures, but their positioning and appearance were important to maintaining continuity through the visitor journey.

The freestanding nature of these elements allowed them to be placed according to the practical needs of each area while remaining visually connected to the wider environment. Their finishes and graphic treatment ensured that supporting functions such as reception, information and navigation became part of the overall scenic language.

By carrying the design into these smaller components, the temporary architecture extended beyond the main visual moments. The complete forum environment could therefore maintain a consistent identity from the principal stage through to the supporting circulation and reception areas.

Creating Lounge and Seating Areas

Evolution Scenic fabricated MDF totems and plinths finished with vinyl graphics to create smaller branded focal points throughout the forum. These elements extended the visual identity into areas where a full scenic wall or large architectural installation was unnecessary.

Reception counters, signage and wayfinding used the same coordinated approach to graphics, proportions and finishes. Their scale was smaller than the principal scenic structures, but their positioning and appearance were important to maintaining continuity through the visitor journey.

The freestanding nature of these elements allowed them to be placed according to the practical needs of each area while remaining visually connected to the wider environment. Their finishes and graphic treatment ensured that supporting functions such as reception, information and navigation became part of the overall scenic language.

By carrying the design into these smaller components, the temporary architecture extended beyond the main visual moments. The complete forum environment could therefore maintain a consistent identity from the principal stage through to the supporting circulation and reception areas.

Coordinating Externally Supplied Banners

Tall floor-supported graphic banners were produced by an external specialist supplier and incorporated into the wider forum layout. Evolution Scenic coordinated these elements alongside its fabricated stage, partitions, framed displays and branded structures.

Maintaining a clear distinction between packages was important. The banners formed part of the final visual environment but were not manufactured by Evolution Scenic, while the surrounding scenic architecture and fabricated elements remained within Evolution Scenic’s direct production scope.

The positioning of the banners still needed to respond to the scale and layout of the scenic installation. Their graphic presence contributed to the wider visual identity and therefore needed to sit comfortably alongside the dimensional structures, screens and branded surfaces developed elsewhere in the venue.

Large temporary environments frequently involve several specialist contractors working together. The Qudwa–PISA environment demonstrates how externally supplied elements can be incorporated into a coordinated scenic scheme while retaining clear responsibility for individual fabrication packages.

Modular Workshop Fabrication

The complete scenic environment was produced in modular sections, allowing the main stage structures, framed panels, partitions and backdrops to be manufactured away from the venue under controlled workshop conditions.

Modular construction made the larger elements more manageable for transportation and load-in. Instead of moving complete full-scale structures, the fabrication team could prepare controlled sections that were transported separately and assembled in their final positions at Expo 2020 Dubai.

This approach placed particular importance on workshop accuracy. Connections needed to align consistently, framed structures had to remain square and graphic surfaces needed to meet cleanly once individual modules were joined together on site.

The stage surrounds also had to correspond accurately with the dimensions and positions of the technical displays. Completing this coordination during fabrication reduced the amount of adjustment required within the venue and supported a more controlled installation process.

Completing the Two-Day Installation

The complete on-site scenic installation was delivered over two days. Modular construction and detailed workshop preparation allowed a substantial proportion of the physical production to be completed before the scenic package arrived at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The stage deck and modular scenic sections were assembled before the fabricated surrounds were coordinated with the LED screens supplied by Evolution Technical. The relationship between the screens and scenic architecture could then be checked as the primary presentation environment came together.

The Media Hub was installed as a separate scenic feature, combining its metal frames, coloured transparent panels, printed graphics and technical displays. Partitions, branded backdrops, illuminated totems, plinths, reception elements, signage, wayfinding and lounge structures were positioned across the wider forum environment.

Externally supplied graphic banners were also incorporated into the final layout. Delivering multiple zones within the two-day installation required a controlled sequence so that structural assembly, technical installation, graphics and final scenic finishing could progress efficiently alongside one another.

Creating a Unified Temporary Environment

The completed Qudwa–PISA Global Competence Forum brought scenic fabrication, technical integration and temporary architecture together within one coordinated environment. The main stage combined a modular deck, fabricated scenic structures, metal screen surrounds and LED displays to create the principal presentation setting.

The Media Hub introduced a different architectural character through freestanding metal frames, coloured transparent materials, printed graphics and integrated technical displays. Partitions and backdrops established the surrounding spatial structure, while illuminated totems, plinths, signage and wayfinding extended the visual identity throughout the venue.

Lounge and reception elements brought the same design approach into the functional areas supporting the main programme. Externally supplied banners were coordinated within the overall layout, allowing specialist packages to contribute to the completed environment without blurring responsibility for their manufacture.

Following the forum, the installation was dismantled. From initial scenic development through workshop fabrication, technical coordination, two-day installation and final removal, the project demonstrates the operational value of connecting scenic and technical disciplines within one temporary architectural system. Evolution Scenic produced the physical environment while Evolution Technical supplied the integrated LED and Media Hub systems, with both disciplines coordinated as parts of the same finished space.

Creating a Multi-Area Scenic Environment for the Global Citizen Forum

The Global Citizen Forum took place at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah in 2021. Developed around the theme The Future in Motion, the programme included a two-day conference followed by a Gala Dinner, requiring several distinct areas of the venue to operate as parts of one connected visual environment.

Evolution Scenic was appointed to provide scenic design, fabrication and event branding across the venue. Developing the scenic design alongside the fabrication scope allowed the visual concept, construction methodology, materials and installation requirements to be considered together rather than treating production as a separate stage after the design had been completed.

The scope extended well beyond a conventional conference backdrop. It included the main stage environment, entrance architecture, exhibition displays, branded perimeter walling, presentation plinths, podiums and dedicated Gala Dinner scenery. Each area served a different function, but the complete project was developed through a consistent architectural, material and graphic language.

Building the Main Conference Stage

The main conference stage formed the principal architectural element within the auditorium. Evolution Scenic fabricated the complete stage deck and access steps together with black scenic walling, a branded lower fascia and custom podiums, creating a controlled visual setting around the principal presentation area.

The venue’s existing LED screen established a fixed technical reference for the scenic construction. The surrounding walling, stage deck and fascia therefore needed to be developed around the position and proportions of the installed display so that the complete elevation appeared balanced from the main audience viewing positions.

Black scenic surfaces created a restrained architectural frame around the screen content, while the branded fascia concealed the supporting stage structure and created a continuous graphic surface across the front elevation. The access steps and custom podiums followed the same construction and finish language, allowing the functional elements of the stage to read as parts of one coordinated environment.

Integrating Scenic Construction with Venue Technology

Working around a venue-owned LED screen required the scenic architecture to respond precisely to an existing technical installation. The screen needed to remain fully visible and operational while the surrounding walling provided a clean architectural frame that visually connected it with the stage deck and the wider conference environment.

The scenic walls could not be positioned independently of the display. Their dimensions, base positions and finished edges needed to correspond with the installed screen, while the stage deck and front fascia had to maintain a consistent relationship with its lower edge. Accurate fabrication and positioning were particularly important across the wide stage elevation, where small dimensional differences would have been visually apparent.

This coordination allowed the technical system to sit naturally within the scenic architecture rather than appearing as equipment placed against a temporary backdrop. The stage structure completed the visual composition while maintaining the separation required between the venue technology and Evolution Scenic’s fabricated scope.

Extending the Identity Beyond the Auditorium

The scenic environment continued beyond the principal conference stage into the arrival and exhibition areas. Evolution Scenic fabricated a large branded perimeter wall that established a defined architectural boundary within the venue and provided a substantial surface through which the Global Citizen Forum identity could extend into the wider space.

A circular illuminated entrance feature introduced a stronger three-dimensional arrival point. Its curved geometry contrasted with the predominantly rectilinear walling and display structures used elsewhere, while integrated illumination reinforced its outline and made the feature clearly visible within the larger exhibition environment.

Combining large-format walling with the illuminated entrance prevented the arrival area from becoming a sequence of flat graphic surfaces. The architectural wall established scale and enclosure, while the circular feature created a recognisable focal point that helped establish the transition into the forum environment.

Fabricating Geometric Displays and Exhibition Features

Evolution Scenic fabricated geometric metal-framed displays, freestanding exhibition panels and presentation plinths for the exhibition area. The open metal structures introduced a lighter architectural language than the solid perimeter walling, allowing objects and graphic content to be framed while maintaining visual depth through the surrounding space.

Freestanding panels provided additional surfaces for information and branding and could be positioned according to the layout of the exhibition environment. Presentation plinths created elevated bases for individual objects, with their proportions and surface treatments developed to complement the wider material and graphic language rather than function as unrelated display furniture.

Together, the perimeter wall, illuminated circular entrance, geometric frames, exhibition panels and plinths created a layered hierarchy of scenic elements. Larger architectural forms defined the overall space, three-dimensional features created focal points and smaller structures supported individual presentation moments, giving the exhibition area greater depth and visual organisation.

Constructing the Gala Dinner Environment

The Gala Dinner required a distinct scenic treatment while remaining connected to the wider visual identity of the Global Citizen Forum. Evolution Scenic fabricated a dedicated branded stage for the evening setting together with a globe feature and a gold-framed presentation plinth.

The globe introduced a clearly sculptural object into an environment otherwise dominated by rectilinear stage, wall and display construction. Its curved three-dimensional form created a focal point within the room and provided a visual counterpoint to the more architectural scenic elements used throughout the conference and exhibition spaces.

The gold-framed plinth added another dedicated presentation feature and introduced a different material character appropriate to the evening environment. Together, the stage, globe and presentation structure gave the Gala Dinner its own identity while retaining enough visual continuity for the space to feel like an extension of the wider forum rather than a separate project.

Coordinating Graphics with Fabrication

Branding formed part of the physical construction throughout the project rather than being treated as a final decorative layer. The stage fascia, scenic walling, exhibition panels, podiums and presentation plinths were all developed as fabricated surfaces that also carried the visual identity of the Global Citizen Forum.

This required the dimensions of each scenic element to remain coordinated with the graphic layouts applied to it. Logos, text and visual motifs needed to sit correctly within the available surfaces and maintain alignment around edges, joints and adjoining components, particularly across larger scenic walls and the continuous front fascia of the main stage.

The relationship between structure and graphics created consistency across areas that performed very different functions. The black stage architecture provided a controlled frame around the technical content, while the entrance and exhibition spaces combined larger branded surfaces with illuminated and three-dimensional forms. Fabrication established the physical hierarchy, and the graphic treatment connected those elements through one shared identity.

Installing Multiple Scenic Zones

Installation at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre involved several distinct scenic zones. Within the auditorium, the stage deck, access steps, black scenic walls, fascia and podiums needed to be positioned accurately around the venue LED screen so that the completed stage maintained the proportions established during design development.

The entrance and exhibition areas required a different installation sequence, bringing together the large perimeter wall, illuminated circular entrance, metal-framed displays, freestanding panels and presentation plinths. These structures varied considerably in size and construction but needed to maintain consistent alignment, finish quality and branding once positioned within the wider environment.

The Gala Dinner stage, globe feature and gold-framed presentation element created an additional installation zone with its own spatial requirements. Coordinating these separate areas as parts of the same scenic package allowed the venue to transition between conference, exhibition and evening functions while maintaining a recognisable project identity throughout.

Delivering a Consistent Temporary Architecture

The completed Global Citizen Forum transformed several areas of the venue through purpose-built temporary scenic construction. The auditorium gained a complete architectural stage environment centred around the existing LED screen, while the arrival and exhibition areas were shaped through branded walling, illuminated entrance architecture, geometric displays and freestanding presentation structures.

The Gala Dinner extended the project into a different setting through its dedicated stage, sculptural globe and gold-framed plinth. Although every area had its own functional requirements, the use of coordinated form, materials, graphics and fabrication methods allowed the individual environments to remain visually connected.

Evolution Scenic’s combined design and fabrication scope allowed stage construction, scenic architecture, graphics, metalwork, feature fabrication and installation to develop as parts of one coordinated process. The finished project demonstrates how multiple temporary conference environments can be given a clear architectural identity through disciplined scenic design and fabrication rather than relying on branding alone.

Fabricating the UAE Regional Climate Dialogue environment at Emirates Palace

The UAE Regional Climate Dialogue took place at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in April 2021. The conference required a complete branded environment capable of supporting both physical and remote participation, with the scenic package creating a strong architectural setting within the room while accommodating the technical displays required for the hybrid format.

Working from a supplied design, Evolution Scenic was responsible for fabricating and installing the principal scenic elements. The confirmed scope included the main stage deck and steps, central screen surround, large angled graphic walls, a freestanding photo-op backdrop, dimensional lettering, flags, signage and wayfinding. Evolution Technical supplied the displays incorporated into the main stage and photo-op installations.

The complete fabrication and installation programme was delivered within one week, creating a significant fast-track challenge across technical development, workshop production, graphics, scenic finishing and site delivery. The scenic installation at Emirates Palace was undertaken overnight, making accurate preparation and coordination before load-in particularly important.

Developing the Scenic Architecture

Evolution Scenic translated the supplied visual design into a coordinated package of fabricated structures, finished surfaces and technical interfaces. The main stage deck and access steps created the functional raised presentation area, while the central backdrop, angled graphic walls and supporting branded structures established the wider architectural composition within the conference space.

The stage deck, steps and front-facing scenic treatments were fabricated using materials from the confirmed project palette, including MDF, plywood and internal framing. These materials provided the defined profiles and smooth finished surfaces required for the graphic and vinyl treatments while allowing the structure to be manufactured efficiently within the compressed programme.

The stage was developed as part of the complete scenic environment rather than as an isolated platform. Its geometry, fascia, finishes and adjoining elements needed to align visually with the central screen surround and surrounding scenic structures. With only one week available for fabrication and installation, buildability and workshop preparation were central to turning the supplied design into a practical installation.

Integrating the Stage and Screen

The central screen formed one of the principal visual elements within the main stage environment. Evolution Technical supplied the display, while Evolution Scenic fabricated the surrounding scenic architecture and branded backdrop, requiring accurate coordination between the screen position, fabricated opening and finished scenic edges.

The surrounding structure created a deliberate architectural frame around the technical display. Graphic panels and branded surfaces connected the screen visually with the stage deck, fascia and wider scenic composition, allowing the technical equipment to sit naturally within the temporary architecture rather than appearing as a separate element placed against the scenery.

Accurate workshop set-out was particularly important because even small differences between the display position and fabricated opening could affect the appearance of the completed backdrop. Coordinating the scenic and technical requirements during fabrication allowed the screen, structure and branding to come together as a single resolved presentation environment when installed on site.

Extending the Scenic Environment

Large angled graphic walls extended along both sides of the conference space, carrying the event identity beyond the central stage and increasing the physical scale of the scenic installation. Their changing geometry created greater depth than a conventional flat perimeter backdrop and helped connect the principal presentation area with the wider Emirates Palace interior.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the wall system using materials from the confirmed project palette, including timber and metal framing, MDF, plywood, printed panels and vinyl graphics. Accurate workshop set-out was required so that individual sections maintained the supplied angles and connected correctly when assembled within the venue.

The large-format graphics also needed to continue cleanly across the changing wall planes. Careful positioning and alignment of adjoining sections helped maintain visual continuity across the installation and reduced unnecessary breaks within the overall composition. Together, the angled walls acted as an architectural extension of the central stage and established a consistent branded environment throughout the room.

Creating the Branded Support Elements

Evolution Scenic also fabricated a separate freestanding photo-op backdrop incorporating printed graphics and a display supplied by Evolution Technical. The scenic framing, finished faces and technical opening needed to be developed as one coordinated structure so that the screen could be integrated cleanly without compromising the appearance of the branded backdrop.

The freestanding construction allowed the feature to operate independently from the existing venue walls while retaining the alignment and finish required for photography and interview use. Its construction therefore had to provide both the necessary stability and the clean front-facing appearance expected from a highly visible branded feature.

Dimensional lettering or hashtag elements positioned across the front of the main stage introduced additional depth to the branding and strengthened the visual connection between the stage and backdrop. Flags, signage and wayfinding extended the same graphic identity into the supporting areas, allowing smaller scenic elements to reinforce the visual language established by the principal structures.

Fast-Track Fabrication and Overnight Installation

The entire scenic package was fabricated and installed within one week. The programme covered the production of several large scenic structures, integrated technical interfaces, printed and applied graphics, dimensional branding and supporting elements, placing significant importance on accurate workshop coordination and preparation before the project reached site.

Installation at Emirates Palace was undertaken overnight. The available working period needed to accommodate positioning the stage deck, installing the steps and fascia, assembling the screen surround, installing the angled graphic walls and positioning the freestanding photo-op structure. Each part of the environment had to be completed in a sequence that allowed the adjoining scenic and technical elements to follow efficiently.

Evolution Technical’s displays also needed to be installed and accurately aligned with the fabricated scenic openings before the final dimensional lettering, flags, signage and wayfinding were positioned. The compressed programme demonstrates the importance of completing as much coordination, fabrication and checking as possible within the workshop before a scenic package enters a restricted overnight installation window.

Delivering a Complete Temporary Conference Environment

The finished UAE Regional Climate Dialogue environment brought stage construction, framed scenic walls, printed branding, dimensional lettering and technical displays together within one coordinated installation. The main stage established the architectural focus of the conference space, while the angled graphic walls extended the visual identity across the room and increased the perceived scale of the scenic environment.

The freestanding photo-op created an additional branded setting incorporating its own technical display, while dimensional lettering, flags, signage and wayfinding extended the same design language through the supporting areas. Although these elements varied considerably in scale and construction, they formed part of the same coordinated scenic package and needed to maintain a consistent standard of fabrication and finish.

Evolution Scenic’s role centred on translating the supplied design into a practical fabrication and installation system. Coordinating the scenic construction with Evolution Technical’s display requirements from the beginning allowed screens, branded surfaces and structural elements to operate within the same visual framework. Delivered within one week and installed overnight at Emirates Palace, the project demonstrates how technical coordination, workshop preparation and buildability can support fast-track scenic delivery for a hybrid conference environment.