Constructing a Temporary Mosque at Expo City Dubai

For Hai Ramadan 2024, Expo City Dubai required a fully functional temporary mosque within a 35m × 35m enclosure. The original tent structure was supplied by another contractor, creating a fixed shell around which the architectural and technical packages had to be developed. Evolution Scenic was responsible for developing the client-supplied design and transforming the basic enclosure through structural fabrication, scenic construction, interior fit-out and building-services installation. The project therefore required the team to work across both architectural and technical disciplines rather than treating the mosque as a conventional event installation.

Evolution Scenic completed the combined fabrication and site-installation programme over two months. The finished mosque incorporated a structural-steel mezzanine and staircase, double-wall internal construction, a steel-framed external envelope and a developed architectural entrance. Plywood and fibreglass façade elements, illuminated prayer-hall features, fitted joinery and coordinated floor finishes established the visible architectural character of the completed space. At the same time, electrical systems, lighting, air conditioning, plumbing and ablution facilities ensured that the temporary mosque functioned as an operational building rather than solely as a scenic environment.

The completed installation transformed the contractor-supplied tent into a cohesive temporary place of worship with a distinct architectural identity. Internally, the fitted walls, ceiling treatments, prayer carpet, illuminated mihrab and custom joinery created a controlled worship environment. Externally, the steel-framed envelope, concrete-board construction, façade portals, lattice panels and entrance structure concealed the visual character of the original tent. The result was a coordinated temporary building that combined scenic fabrication, structural engineering, interior fit-out and building services within one integrated delivery package.

Developing the Client Design

The architectural concept was supplied by the client and developed by Evolution Scenic into a practical construction package suitable for fabrication and installation. This required the design intent to be translated into coordinated technical information that could respond to the actual site and structural conditions. The project also had to work around the dimensions and connection restrictions of a tent manufactured by another supplier. Those limitations became an important part of the technical development rather than something that could be resolved only during installation.

The existing tent influenced the positioning of the internal wall lines, external framing, mezzanine, staircase, façade geometry, foyer, ceiling and service routes. Each of these elements needed to be coordinated with the original enclosure while still maintaining the intended architectural proportions of the mosque. The new construction also had to conceal the visual character of the tent so that the finished environment did not read as a temporary enclosure with decorative panels applied over it. This required a more complete scenic and architectural treatment around both the interior and exterior surfaces.

Evolution Scenic therefore developed internal and external wall systems that established independent architectural planes around the original tent structure. These controlled surfaces created a consistent basis for installing the façade, entrance features, interior finishes and other scenic elements. By separating the visible architectural treatment from the original enclosure, the team could maintain cleaner geometry and a more convincing finished appearance. The result was a coordinated temporary environment in which the underlying tent structure was visually transformed through scenic construction and architectural detailing.

Fabricating the Structural-Steel Mezzanine

A mezzanine level was introduced within the mosque to increase the available internal space and make more effective use of the existing tent volume. Evolution Scenic fabricated both the mezzanine structure and the associated staircase from structural steel. The assembly had to fit within the restricted height and footprint of the existing enclosure while maintaining usable circulation around the main prayer area. This required the mezzanine geometry to be coordinated carefully with the wider architectural layout rather than treated as an independent platform.

The mezzanine formed part of an occupied temporary building and therefore required a robust structural approach appropriate to its function. It was not developed as a lightweight scenic deck or purely visual feature, but as a usable upper level within the completed environment. The staircase also formed part of this circulation strategy, providing access between levels while fitting within the spatial limitations of the tent. Together, the steelwork and access route needed to support the practical use of the space without disrupting the organisation of the prayer areas below.

The mezzanine fabrication also needed to coordinate with the internal wall construction, air-conditioning distribution, lighting and completed floor levels. These interfaces were important because the structural steel could not be developed in isolation from the surrounding architectural and technical systems. Accurate coordination helped ensure that the finished mezzanine integrated cleanly into the wider temporary mosque environment. 

Reinforcing the Internal Tent Walls

Evolution Scenic constructed a double-wall system around the interior of the tent to replace the soft visual character of the original enclosure with a more controlled architectural finish. The confirmed wall build-up used 18mm plywood PSB board fixed over timber formers, creating a rigid surface suitable for the internal scenic treatment. A textured painted finish was then applied to complete the wall system and establish a consistent visual language throughout the mosque interior. This construction created cleaner wall planes and gave the temporary structure a more permanent architectural appearance.

The internal wall system also provided a consistent background for the prayer hall, illuminated mihrab, shoe-storage joinery, ceiling treatments and other integrated scenic features. By introducing independent wall planes inside the tent, Evolution Scenic could coordinate these elements against a stable fabricated surface rather than the flexible tent lining. This helped maintain alignment between the architectural features and the wider interior composition. The wall construction therefore performed both a visual and practical role within the completed temporary mosque.

The internal build also needed to accommodate electrical, air-conditioning and other service interfaces without disrupting the finished wall surfaces. Openings, penetrations and service routes had to be coordinated within the timber former and board construction so that the technical systems could remain integrated with the architectural treatment. This allowed the completed walls to retain clean, continuous planes while supporting the operational requirements of the occupied space. The result was a coordinated internal envelope that combined scenic fabrication, architectural finishing and technical integration within the existing tent structure.

Building the External Wall System

Steel-framed concrete-board panels formed the mosque’s external wall system and created a more substantial architectural envelope around the existing tent. The steel framing provided a stable backing structure that was independent of the original fabric surface. Concrete board was then used as the visible external substrate, giving the perimeter a more rigid and durable finish. The project page confirms this steel-framed concrete-board construction as the principal external wall build-up.

This external system also created the base for the mosque’s repeated architectural portals, perforated screens and tower-like entrance feature. By working from a controlled structural surface, these elements could be aligned more consistently across the elevations. The wall system therefore supported both the practical enclosure of the tent and the architectural detailing applied to its exterior. This helped the completed mosque read as a coordinated temporary building rather than an exposed tent with added decorative features.

The external walls played both a functional and scenic role within the overall project. They enclosed and visually transformed the original structure while providing the surfaces required for the repeated façade language. The combination of steel framing, concrete-board panels and applied architectural elements established a continuous perimeter treatment around the mosque. The result was a stronger temporary envelope that supported the scale, rhythm and visual identity of the finished building.

Creating the Plywood and Fibreglass Façade

The external elevations were defined by a repeated sequence of tall triangular portals that established the main architectural rhythm of the mosque façade. Evolution Scenic fabricated these features using plywood and fibreglass, combining shaped scenic construction with a more refined visible finish. The portals projected outward from the main wall line, giving the elevations additional depth and helping the temporary structure read as a purpose-built architectural environment. Their repeated geometry became one of the strongest visual characteristics of the completed exterior.

Each portal needed to maintain consistent angles, openings and spacing so that the elevation remained visually controlled from one end of the building to the other. Any dimensional variation between the individual units could have disrupted the alignment of the façade and created inconsistencies where the portals met the adjacent lattice panels. Plywood provided the shaped scenic base required to establish the angular geometry, while fibreglass was used to form and finish the visible architectural surfaces. This combination allowed the repeated forms to retain a consistent profile across the full exterior treatment.

Perforated decorative lattice panels were integrated within the façade composition and positioned inside the large angular openings created by the portals. These panels introduced an additional layer of pattern and depth without competing with the dominant triangular geometry of the exterior. The construction photographs show the latticework working in direct relationship with the portal framing, creating a layered façade rather than a flat wall treatment. Together, the plywood, fibreglass and perforated panels produced a coordinated scenic envelope with a strong architectural identity.

Fabricating the Prayer-Hall Ceiling

Evolution Scenic delivered the prayer-hall ceiling together with its circular illuminated feature, creating one of the main architectural focal points within the worship space. The central element comprised a series of illuminated concentric forms that introduced depth and visual emphasis overhead. Its circular geometry contrasted with the surrounding linear surfaces while remaining integrated into the overall interior composition. The completed feature is clearly visible in the project imagery as a defining element of the prayer hall.

The ceiling treatment needed to coordinate closely with the electrical installation, lighting system and air-conditioning outlets serving the space. This required the illuminated feature to be developed alongside the technical services rather than treated as an isolated decorative component. Lighting positions and service interfaces had to work within the surrounding ceiling geometry while preserving the intended appearance of the concentric forms. The result was a coordinated overhead treatment in which scenic fabrication and technical integration operated together.

Rather than being applied as a separate decorative object, the illumination formed part of the architectural composition of the prayer hall. The surrounding ceiling lines and wall surfaces helped frame the circular feature and strengthen its visual relationship with the rest of the interior. This created a controlled connection between the overhead geometry and the prayer carpet below, reinforcing the organisation of the worship space. The finished ceiling therefore combined scenic construction, integrated lighting and interior coordination within a single cohesive architectural feature.

Creating the Illuminated Mihrab

An illuminated triangular mihrab formed the principal focal point at the front of the prayer hall and established a clear visual direction within the worship space. Its geometry continued the triangular architectural language used across the external façade, creating a direct connection between the mosque’s interior and exterior treatment. The feature was designed to sit within the wider wall composition rather than read as an isolated decorative element. This helped maintain a consistent architectural language throughout the temporary structure.

The mihrab was integrated with Evolution Scenic’s lighting and electrical package, allowing illumination to form part of the feature itself. Rather than relying on applied graphics or temporary branding, the lighting defined the triangular outline and gave the element a restrained visual presence. The illuminated edge treatment helped distinguish the mihrab from the surrounding wall surfaces while preserving the overall simplicity of the prayer-hall environment. This approach supported the functional importance of the feature without introducing unnecessary visual complexity.

The completed mihrab remained visually clear within the wider prayer-hall composition while retaining the restrained material language used throughout the mosque. Its shape, position and illumination worked together to reinforce its role as the principal architectural reference point at the front of the space. The surrounding wall and ceiling treatments supported the feature without competing with it. The result was a cohesive focal element that linked scenic fabrication, integrated lighting and the wider architectural geometry of the mosque.

Integrating Air Conditioning

Evolution Scenic also supplied the air-conditioning system required to serve the temporary mosque environment. The system needed to operate across the full 35m × 35m enclosure, supporting the main prayer hall, mezzanine, foyer and separate ablution spaces. Because these areas had different spatial conditions, the air-conditioning installation needed to be coordinated with the wider architectural layout rather than treated as a standalone technical package. This helped ensure that the completed environment remained comfortable while preserving the intended internal appearance.

Air-conditioning outlets and service routes were coordinated with the internal wall construction and ceiling treatment so that the technical systems could be incorporated without disrupting the finished scenic surfaces. The distribution needed to work around the prayer-hall ceiling, mezzanine structure, wall build-ups and other architectural features already forming part of the interior. This required close coordination between the mechanical installation and the scenic fabrication package during design development. The result was a more integrated interior in which environmental services could operate without visually dominating the architectural treatment.

Constructing the Ablution Areas

Separate ablution facilities were constructed for men and women as part of the wider temporary mosque environment. Evolution Scenic delivered the partitions, plumbing systems, ablution fittings and vinyl flooring required for both areas. The project information confirms the provision of two separate ablution spaces together with the vinyl floor finish. These facilities formed an essential functional component of the mosque and therefore needed to be integrated into the overall architectural and service layout.

The ablution areas required coordination between water services, fittings, partitions and floor finishes to create practical wet-use environments. Their positioning also needed to maintain clear separation from the main prayer area while remaining connected to the mosque’s circulation routes. Vinyl flooring provided a maintainable surface appropriate to the wet-area function and supported the practical use of the facilities. The completed spaces therefore combined plumbing, partitions, fittings and finishes within a coordinated part of the temporary building.

Producing the Shoe-Storage Joinery

Custom shoe-storage joinery and counters were installed within the mosque to support the transition between the entrance areas and the carpeted prayer hall. These elements provided a practical location for footwear storage while helping organise movement into the main worship space. The joinery needed to offer sufficient storage without obstructing circulation routes or creating congestion around the entrance. Its placement therefore formed part of the wider spatial planning of the mosque rather than functioning as standalone furniture.

The finishes were coordinated with the surrounding interior so that the shoe-storage units and counters appeared as integrated architectural elements. Their proportions and positioning needed to work with the adjacent wall treatment, flooring and circulation paths while maintaining a clean visual appearance. This approach helped the operational furniture remain consistent with the wider material language of the mosque instead of reading as temporary event equipment. The completed joinery therefore combined practical storage, circulation support and coordinated scenic finishing within the overall interior environment.

Installing the Floor Finishes

Different floor finishes were selected across the mosque to suit the practical requirements of each functional area. The main prayer hall received fitted prayer carpet, while vinyl flooring was installed within the foyer and the separate ablution areas. Grass carpet completed the external approach and immediate perimeter, creating a distinct transition between the outside environment and the enclosed worship space. This material division is confirmed by the project page and helped differentiate the worship, circulation, wet and external zones.

The floor-finishing package also required careful coordination with the wider construction sequence. Structural steelwork, high-level construction, wall finishing and service installation needed to progress without damaging the completed prayer carpet, vinyl flooring or external grass carpet. Final surfaces therefore had to be introduced at the appropriate stage of the build so they could remain clean and protected through completion. The finished flooring contributed both functionally and visually to the overall organisation of the temporary mosque environment.

Coordinating the Two-Month Programme

Evolution Scenic completed the combined fabrication and installation programme over two months, bringing together a wide range of interdependent scenic, structural and technical disciplines. The programme covered structural steel fabrication, carpentry, plywood construction, fibreglass work, concrete-board installation, paint finishes, joinery, lighting, electrical systems, air conditioning, plumbing and flooring. Because the existing tent formed a fixed structural interface, each package had to be developed around its actual dimensions and connection limitations. This required the sequencing of fabrication and site works to remain closely coordinated so that one trade could progress without restricting the installation of another.

Workshop accuracy was essential, but the project also required sufficient flexibility on site to accommodate the real geometry of the contractor-supplied enclosure. The programme needed to move logically from structural and supporting works through wall systems, architectural finishes, service installation, joinery and final flooring while maintaining access for multiple disciplines. Careful coordination was particularly important where steelwork, scenic construction and technical services occupied the same areas of the temporary building.

Delivering Functional Temporary Architecture

The completed mosque demonstrates how scenic construction can extend beyond conventional stages, exhibitions and branded event environments into functional temporary architecture. Evolution Scenic applied its fabrication capabilities to create an occupied building environment incorporating structural elements, building services, wet facilities and a fully developed architectural interior. Although the original tent remained the primary enclosure, it no longer defined the appearance or character of the finished mosque. Instead, the visible environment was created through a coordinated combination of scenic construction, architectural detailing and technical integration.

Internally, reinforced wall systems, fitted prayer carpet, illuminated architectural features, custom joinery and coordinated services established the main worship environment. Externally, steel-framed walls, concrete-board cladding, plywood and fibreglass portals, decorative lattice panels and the tower-style entrance created a completely different architectural identity around the original enclosure. These elements worked together to transform the tent from a temporary shell into a purpose-built visual and functional environment. The finished mosque therefore operated at the intersection of scenic fabrication, temporary architecture and interior fit-out.

The project also demonstrates the importance of coordinating multiple disciplines within a single delivery package. Structural construction, specialist manufacturing, lighting, electrical systems, air conditioning, plumbing, joinery and finishing all had to work within the same constrained temporary structure. Each package contributed to the final architectural result while also supporting the practical requirements of an occupied place of worship. The completed installation therefore reflects Evolution Scenic’s ability to combine technical coordination, custom fabrication and detailed finishing within one integrated temporary building solution.

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 A Festive Scenic Environment Across Expo 2020 Dubai

In December 2021, Expo 2020 Dubai became the setting for a substantial package of temporary Christmas scenery distributed across the site. Evolution Scenic delivered the scenic fabrication and installation required to create XMAS @ EXPO 2020, translating the festive concept into a series of large-scale scenic structures, themed environments and decorative features. The scope brought together custom fabrication, scenic construction and installation across multiple individual elements while maintaining a consistent visual language throughout the wider festive environment.

At the centre of the installation was a 20-metre Christmas tree, supported by eight custom festive chalets and 12 oversized nutcracker figures positioned throughout the seasonal setting. These large-format scenic elements established the scale of the environment and created recognisable architectural and character features across the site. Each component formed part of a coordinated scenic package designed to work collectively within the wider Expo 2020 Dubai surroundings rather than as isolated decorative pieces.

Evolution Scenic also delivered Santa’s House and the adjoining elf workshop, extending the project into more detailed themed interior environments. Animated workshop scenes, reindeer elements and additional scenic features were incorporated to support the wider festive activity zones and create a more layered visitor environment. Together, the architectural scenery, oversized props, themed interiors and seasonal decoration transformed multiple areas of Expo 2020 Dubai into a cohesive temporary Christmas environment built specifically for the festive programme.

Creating One Scenic Language Across Multiple Environments

The project was not centred on a single stage set or standalone scenic feature. Its physical scope extended across several parts of the Expo 2020 Dubai site, with each area requiring a different combination of temporary architecture, oversized props, decorative treatments and integrated lighting. Despite the variation in scale and function, the complete scenic package needed to read as one connected festive environment.

Evolution Scenic achieved this consistency by developing a recognisable visual language that could be repeated across different structures and installations. Steep chalet rooflines, gingerbread-style façades, striped confectionery details, oversized bows, gift boxes, baubles and artificial snow appeared throughout the project. Strong red, green and gold finishes reinforced the seasonal character and helped visually connect the larger architectural elements with smaller scenic details.

These recurring motifs linked the marketplace, Santa environments, central tree setting and supporting festive installations without requiring every scenic structure to follow the same form. Individual areas could retain their own function and identity while still belonging to the wider XMAS @ EXPO 2020 environment. The result was a coordinated scenic system in which architecture, props, decoration and finishes worked together to create continuity across a large and varied site.

Manufacturing Eight Custom Festive Chalets

The eight custom festive chalets formed the principal repeated architectural element within the wider installation. Unlike a single scenic prop, a group of related structures needs to maintain consistency across dimensions, profiles, trims and finishing details so that the complete set reads as one coordinated environment. This required a fabrication approach that treated the chalets as a repeatable scenic system rather than as eight unrelated builds.

The chalets also needed to function as temporary architecture within the Expo site. Each unit had to be manufactured as a complete scenic structure, prepared for transportation and installed as part of the wider festive environment. Their repeated forms created visual continuity across the marketplace while allowing individual chalet positions to contribute to the overall layout and rhythm of the space.

Rather than relying only on printed graphic treatments, the chalet façades were developed with layered scenic detailing to create greater depth and physical character. Steep roof edges, framed openings, confectionery-inspired motifs and applied seasonal decoration gave the structures a more dimensional, built quality. These details helped the chalets read as fabricated themed architecture rather than simple temporary kiosks dressed with graphics.

Fabricating Twelve Giant Nutcracker Figures

Twelve oversized nutcracker figures were produced as repeated scenic markers within the wider festive environment. Their strong vertical proportions allowed them to operate at an architectural scale rather than simply as decorative props, helping frame the central Christmas tree and define key seasonal areas across the Expo site. Repeating the figures in multiple locations also reinforced the shared visual language running through the complete installation.

Fabricating character props at this scale requires close control of proportion and symmetry. Features that appear balanced on a small object can become visually exaggerated when reproduced several times human height, making consistency across faces, uniforms, limbs and decorative components especially important. Each figure therefore needed to maintain a clear silhouette and balanced form while remaining legible from a distance within a large public setting.

The finished nutcrackers combined bold colour, strongly defined detailing and exaggerated traditional character features suited to the scale of the environment. Their repeated placement created recognisable visual anchors between the tree setting, marketplace and surrounding festive installations. As part of the broader scenic package, they helped connect the different areas through a consistent combination of scale, form and seasonal detailing.

Constructing Santa’s House And The Workshop Scenes

Santa’s House introduced a more detailed form of themed scenic construction within the wider festive installation. Its exterior used a gingerbread-house vocabulary, combining confectionery-style trims, decorative roof edges, candy-inspired forms and layered seasonal ornamentation. The result was a highly dimensional scenic structure designed to read as a complete themed environment rather than as a simple decorated façade.

The surrounding setting extended this visual language through oversized presents, decorative fencing, artificial snow treatments and supporting character elements. These components helped build depth around the main structure and created a stronger relationship between the architecture and the smaller scenic details positioned around it. Repeated colours, textures and decorative motifs ensured that the house remained visually connected to the wider XMAS @ EXPO 2020 environment.

Within the broader Santa setting, animated workshop scenes introduced movement and activity into the scenic environment. The architecture, oversized props, character figures and animated elements needed to work together so that the individual components appeared to belong to one coherent workshop world. This integration helped transform the area from a collection of separate scenic pieces into a complete themed environment with a clear visual identity.

Installing The 20-Metre Christmas Tree

The 20-metre Christmas tree established the principal vertical scale of the festive environment and became the dominant scenic feature within the wider installation. Evolution Scenic’s responsibility was focused on installation rather than fabrication, with the tree structure itself supplied by others. The task therefore centred on integrating the supplied structure safely and effectively into the Expo 2020 Dubai environment.

The installation process supported the progression from exposed structural framework to the completed festive centrepiece. Once the main tree structure was assembled in position, the installation incorporated the decorative treatment required to transform the framework into the finished scenic feature. This distinction between supplied structure and Evolution Scenic’s installation scope is important in accurately defining the company’s role within the project.

The project gallery records both stages of the process, showing the underlying framework before decoration and the fully dressed tree after completion. Together, these images demonstrate how a large supplied structure can be incorporated into a broader scenic environment through coordinated installation and decorative integration. The completed tree provided a strong visual anchor for the surrounding chalets, nutcracker figures and supporting festive scenery.

Extending The Scenic Environment

The wider scenic package used a series of supporting features to connect the principal installations and carry the festive identity across the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Visible elements included giant presents, decorative bauble clusters, reindeer and sleigh settings, a Letters to Santa postbox, tree-shaped sculptures, artificial snow-covered planting and gift-box seating. These smaller-scale elements helped fill the spaces between the larger architectural and character features, giving the environment a more continuous scenic presence.

Evolution Scenic also adapted the existing Opti-Robot by adding reindeer antlers, integrating a recognisable Expo feature into the wider Christmas treatment. This approach allowed the seasonal visual language to extend beyond purpose-built scenery and into existing site elements. The result was a broader layer of festive transformation that connected new scenic fabrication with the surrounding Expo environment.

Together, these supporting features helped distribute the scenic identity beyond Santa’s House and the central tree setting. Rather than concentrating all of the visual impact in one location, the project used repeated props, decorative forms and themed interventions to create continuity across multiple areas. This distributed approach strengthened the sense of one coordinated festive environment while allowing individual zones to retain their own character and function.

Integrating Lighting And Seasonal Decoration

Lighting formed an important part of the scenic presentation across the Expo 2020 Dubai site, helping the fabricated environments remain visually effective after dark. The central tree, snow-dressed tree groups, chalet settings and freestanding decorative features all needed to retain clear form and definition within the wider nighttime environment. Illumination therefore worked alongside the physical scenery rather than as a separate layer.

Integrated lighting picked out rooflines, edges, decorative details and surface treatments across the scenic structures. This helped preserve the depth and character of the fabricated elements once natural light had fallen, while allowing them to sit comfortably within the larger lighting environment of Expo 2020. The combination of structure, finish and illumination strengthened the legibility of the temporary architecture and sculptural features across the site.

Lighting also helped visually connect scenic elements positioned across different areas. Repeated warm illumination, decorated foliage and seasonal lighting treatments created continuity between the chalets, tree setting, Santa environments and smaller standalone installations. This consistency supported the wider objective of creating one coordinated festive scenic language across multiple parts of the Expo site.

Installing Within An Operational Venue

The installation programme was delivered while Expo 2020 Dubai remained operational, introducing an additional layer of coordination to the scenic build. Working hours and site activities had to be managed around the requirements of an active international venue, allowing fabrication elements to be delivered and installed without disrupting wider operations. This meant that installation planning needed to account for access, movement through the site and the sequencing of work across multiple scenic locations.

The live-site condition influenced more than the timing of the installation. Components had to be transported, unloaded, moved into position and assembled within an environment that continued to support other contractors, venue teams and ongoing public activity. Coordinated access and controlled work areas were therefore important to maintaining safe and efficient progress while the chalets, props, decorative structures and supporting scenic elements were installed across the site.

The project team has confirmed that all required HSSE procedures were followed throughout the delivery. Project-specific HSSE records have not been supplied, so individual procedures should not be presented as confirmed facts. For temporary scenic work of this scale within an operational venue, the normal delivery methodology would typically include controlled access, defined work zones, approved installation methods, electrical inspections and formal checks before final handover.

Delivering A Coordinated Temporary Environment

The completed XMAS @ EXPO 2020 environment brought together several different scenic disciplines within one coordinated site-wide installation. Repeated chalet fabrication established the temporary architectural framework, while oversized nutcracker figures, gift-box structures and other large scenic elements introduced scale and visual rhythm. Santa’s House and the workshop scenes added a more detailed layer of themed construction, combining architecture, props and animated elements within a single festive setting.

Lighting, decorative dressing and smaller scenic features connected these larger installations and helped maintain continuity across the wider Expo site. The 20-metre Christmas tree formed the principal centrepiece, while distributed scenic elements extended the festive identity into surrounding areas. This combination of large architectural features, oversized props, decorative interventions and illuminated elements allowed the environment to read as one complete scenic programme rather than a collection of unrelated installations.

The project demonstrates how Evolution Scenic approaches a large temporary environment as a coordinated manufacturing, installation and finishing exercise. Successful delivery depended on maintaining consistency across repeated components, controlling finish quality across different scenic forms and managing installation within a live operational venue. The result was a cohesive festive environment in which architecture, props, decoration and lighting worked together as one integrated scenic system.

Engineering A Telescopic Skyline For The UAE Golden Jubilee

The UAE’s Golden Jubilee production at Hatta Dam combined large-scale performance design with one of the country’s most dramatic natural settings. Designed by Es Devlin and produced by LarMac Live, the performance took place on a floating stage constructed within an artificial pool. The surrounding mountains formed part of the visual composition, framing the stage and amplifying the scale of the production.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for delivering one of its most ambitious scenic features: 100 illuminated telescopic replicas of iconic UAE buildings. Concealed within the central stage feature for most of the performance, the structures rose together in synchronisation during the climax, creating a luminous architectural skyline representing 50 years of national achievement and progress.

The reveal transformed the performance into a symbolic visual journey, as the skyline emerged from the stage to echo the nation’s rapid development. The coordinated lift system and integrated lighting design ensured a seamless transition from concealment to full illumination, reinforcing the narrative of growth and unity at the heart of the celebration.

Turning Architecture Into Moving Scenery

The scenic concept required recognisable building forms to function as compact, moving structures. Each replica had to preserve enough of the original building’s architectural identity to remain legible to the audience, while also operating as part of a telescopic mechanical system. As a result, the structures could not be designed as conventional static props; their external surfaces, internal frames, lighting systems, and moving tiers all needed to be developed as a single, integrated assembly.

Some of the buildings extended beyond six metres when fully raised, yet had to retract into concealed spaces as small as 1.2 metres by 20 centimetres. This extreme shift in scale demanded a carefully engineered approach in which form and mechanism were inseparable. The scenic elements were designed not only to represent architecture, but also to physically perform its transformation in real time.

To achieve this, a multi-tiered construction system was developed, with individual structures incorporating up to four telescopic sections. These layers divided the visible height into nested components that could collapse smoothly into one another beneath the stage. The result was a set of architectural forms capable of expanding and contracting seamlessly, maintaining visual clarity while enabling complex stage movement.

Controlling Movement Across One Hundred Structures

The buildings were driven by telescopic tower machines and guided by heavy-duty industrial tracks. These track systems controlled the vertical travel of the moving scenic tiers as each structure extended and retracted. Their purpose was to reduce unwanted movement and maintain consistent alignment throughout the sequence.

Accuracy was essential because every building formed part of a much larger architectural composition. Any structure that stopped at the wrong height, moved unevenly or twisted during travel would disrupt the visual rhythm of the skyline. The mechanical and scenic components therefore had to work together as a single controlled system.

The completed system needed to deliver repeatable movement across 100 separately fabricated units. Although each building had its own architectural proportions and tier arrangement, every structure had to reach its final position within the same programmed sequence. This required the movement of the individual units to remain coordinated with the collective transformation of the skyline.

Fabricating Illuminated Scenic Lightboxes

The architectural replicas were constructed as self-illuminated scenic lightboxes. Internal LED lighting gave each building a strong visual presence and reinforced its three-dimensional form. This was particularly important at Hatta Dam, where the structures needed to remain visually clear against the surrounding mountains, stage lighting and open night sky.

The illuminated surfaces allowed the buildings to read as architectural volumes rather than flat cut-outs. Each structure contained individually controlled LEDs, enabling its lighting to be managed as part of the wider scenic composition. All 100 buildings were patched into a single control circuit so the lighting team could create coordinated sequences across the entire skyline.

The lighting integration also had to remain compatible with the telescopic movement of the structures. Electrical connections and cable routes needed to accommodate the extension and retraction of the individual tiers. Every component had to move without obstructing the mechanical system or compromising the illuminated effect.

Working Within A Challenging Outdoor Environment

Hatta Dam provided an exceptional visual backdrop, but the location also introduced significant technical challenges. High winds and humidity were confirmed considerations for the moving scenic system. The tall, lightweight replicas needed to rise smoothly and remain visually stable once fully extended.

The telescopic mechanisms and heavy-duty industrial tracks also needed to operate reliably within the outdoor environment. This required the moving components to maintain their alignment throughout repeated extension and retraction. Their operation was fundamental to the timing and visual consistency of the complete skyline.

The floating stage and artificial pool added another layer of coordination to the installation. Each scenic structure had to integrate into a central stage feature with highly restricted concealed spaces and limited tolerance for dimensional variation. Successful operation therefore depended on the relationship between workshop accuracy, mechanical alignment, control integration and on-site testing.

Delivering The Performance Climax

During the climax of the Golden Jubilee performance, 100 illuminated structures rose together from the stage floor. The sequence transformed the central performance space into a three-dimensional architectural landscape.

The buildings represented the UAE’s growth over the previous 50 years. Through the coordinated use of movement, light and form, national development was translated into a physical scenic moment.

The final effect appeared visually simple: a complete skyline emerging seamlessly from the stage. Behind the reveal was a complex system of telescopic tiers, industrial tracks, lighting controls and individually fabricated scenic structures operating together within a compact concealed space.

Evolution Scenic’s role required scenic construction and technical engineering to be coordinated at a scale where every component contributed to the reliability of the complete installation. The finished telescopic skyline became the production’s defining visual climax and demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s capability in moving scenery, compact engineering and large-scale custom fabrication.