ENGINEERING PERFORMANCE SCENERY FOR TERHAL BY DRAGONE

In 2023, Evolution Scenic was selected by Dragone to fabricate custom scenic elements for Terhal in Diriyah, Riyadh. The commission required visually authentic scenery that could also perform reliably within a demanding live-production environment.

The creative concepts were supplied by the client, with Evolution Scenic responsible for translating them into practical, production-ready scenic pieces. This involved developing the construction, structural approach and operational details needed for repeated use during rehearsals and performances.

The scope included six Saudi street-market carts and a traditional Arabian land-abra. The market carts were designed to function as parkour obstacles, requiring sufficient strength, stability and mobility for direct performer interaction.

The land-abra was engineered to move under its own power while maintaining the appearance of a traditional Arabian boat. Across the scope, structural engineering, mobility, performer interaction and scenic authenticity were central to the fabrication process.

BUILDING SIX STEEL-FRAMED PARKOUR CARTS

The six market carts were developed to preserve the visual character and traditional appearance of Saudi street-market furniture while also providing the structural strength required for demanding live performance use. Their construction needed to support repeated performer interaction and physical movement without affecting the overall scenic look of the finished pieces.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the primary internal frameworks using 48 mm diameter mild-steel pipe, creating a strong and reliable structural core for each cart. This steel framework carried the required performance loads while allowing the decorative scenic surfaces to be developed independently around the supporting structure.

Plywood, MDF and timber were applied over the steel framework to establish the external profiles, panels and recognisable market-cart forms. Fibreglass, foam, fabric and acrylic were also incorporated where appropriate to create shaped details, lightweight decorative components and additional scenic features required by the supplied concepts.

This combination of metalwork, carpentry, composite materials and scenic fabrication allowed each material to serve a specific structural or visual purpose. The completed carts retained the appearance of traditional timber-built market objects while incorporating a substantially reinforced internal construction suitable for parkour performance and repeated use within the production environment.

DESIGNING FOR PERFORMER LOADS

The distinctive feature of the market carts was their role as active parkour obstacles within the performance. Performers were expected to climb, jump, land and interact directly with the structures, creating significantly different demands compared with conventional decorative scenic furniture.

To support this level of physical interaction, the carts required a strong and stable internal construction capable of handling the intended performance loads. At the same time, they needed to remain mobile and practical for movement within the production environment without losing their traditional scenic appearance.

Evolution Scenic used 48 mm diameter mild-steel pipe as the main structural framework, providing the reinforced core required for the carts' performance function. Load limits formed part of the technical considerations, ensuring that the scenic elements were approached as functional performance structures rather than lightweight decorative props.

This combination of scenic appearance and engineered strength demonstrates the difference between conventional scenic fabrication and performance-focused scenic engineering. What appeared on stage as a traditional market cart incorporated a more substantial internal structure, allowing it to function reliably as part of the performers' physical environment.

DEVELOPING THE SCENIC SURFACES

With the structural framework completed, Evolution Scenic developed the visible forms of the scenic elements using plywood, MDF and timber. These materials were shaped and applied around the engineered structures to establish the required profiles, panels and traditional visual character of the finished pieces.

Fibreglass, foam, fabric and acrylic were incorporated where the scenic design required more detailed, lightweight or shaped decorative components. Combining these materials allowed the fabrication team to create varied forms and textures while maintaining a consistent overall appearance across the scenic elements.

Scenic painting, distressing, textured coatings and timber staining were then used to visually unify the different construction materials. These finishing techniques helped create depth, variation and a more authentic aged appearance rather than allowing the newly fabricated surfaces to appear overly clean or factory-produced.

Careful variations in colour, timber tone, texture and surface treatment helped reinforce the traditional character required by the supplied creative concepts. The completed scenic surfaces therefore combined a strong engineered construction beneath with a detailed, deliberately aged exterior suitable for close performer interaction and live theatrical presentation.

TURNING A GOLF BUGGY INTO AN ARABIAN BOAT

The second major fabrication challenge was the creation of the land-abra, which needed to operate as a moving scenic element rather than a static boat prop. Evolution Scenic transformed an existing golf buggy into a traditional Arabian boat capable of travelling through the performance environment under its own power.

The golf buggy provided the underlying vehicle platform, including the basic propulsion, steering and braking functions required for controlled movement. Around this operational base, Evolution Scenic fabricated the boat structure using a combination of mild-steel framing, timber, plywood and fibreglass.

A key part of the fabrication process was integrating the vehicle and the scenic boat body as one functional assembly. The finished scenic shell needed to conceal the recognisable golf-buggy form while maintaining access to the operating components and allowing the steering and braking systems to function effectively.

Once completed, the transformed vehicle could move through the performance area as a convincing Arabian land-abra while retaining the practical control of the golf buggy beneath it. This approach combined scenic fabrication, structural integration and vehicle functionality to create a self-powered theatrical boat suitable for live performance.

INTEGRATING STRUCTURE, MOVEMENT AND FINISH

The land-abra demonstrated how the functional requirements of a moving scenic element directly influenced its construction. Unlike a static boat prop designed mainly around shape and appearance, the golf-buggy-based land-abra required careful coordination between its scenic form and its operational vehicle components.

The supporting structure was developed using mild-steel framing, while timber and plywood formed much of the visible scenic body. Fibreglass was incorporated to create additional boat profiles and shaped details without depending entirely on heavier timber construction.

Because the land-abra needed to move through the performance environment, the construction also required consideration of weight distribution, structural interfaces and access around the existing golf buggy. The supporting framework and scenic body therefore had to work together without restricting steering, braking or general vehicle operation.

Scenic paint, textured coatings, timber staining and distressing were applied to visually unify the different construction materials into one convincing traditional boat form. The final result brought structure, movement and scenic finishing together as a single functional assembly, allowing the land-abra to maintain its theatrical appearance while operating reliably during the performance.

ADAPTING THE PROPS DURING REHEARSALS

Rehearsals became an important stage in refining the performance behaviour of the scenic pieces under actual show conditions. The uneven, sand-like performance surface affected how the wheeled market carts moved, responded and stopped during repeated use within the production environment.

Evolution Scenic adjusted the carts by modifying and refining the caster wheels and manual braking arrangements. These changes improved control and allowed the carts to move more predictably across the textured floor while remaining suitable for performer interaction and carefully coordinated stage movement.

The land-abra also required adjustments to its braking behaviour during rehearsals. Because the golf buggy was being used as a theatrical stage vehicle, its stopping and manoeuvring characteristics needed to work accurately with the movement patterns and timing required by the production.

These rehearsal-based refinements helped ensure that the moving scenic elements performed reliably within the actual venue rather than only under workshop conditions. The process demonstrated the importance of testing mobility, braking and control on the final performance surface, where textured flooring, performer movement and precise stage cues could directly influence the behaviour of each scenic element.

DELIVERING WITHIN A TWENTY-DAY PROGRAMME

The Evolution Scenic scope was delivered within a confirmed 20-day programme, requiring close coordination across fabrication, finishing and production activities. Within this limited timeframe, multiple technical disciplines had to progress efficiently while maintaining the structural and scenic requirements of the Terhal performance elements.

The six market carts required the fabrication of reinforced mild-steel frameworks, followed by the construction of timber-based scenic bodies and the application of specialist scenic finishes. Metal fabrication, carpentry, composite work and surface treatment therefore had to be carefully coordinated to keep each cart progressing through the workshop without unnecessary delays.

The land-abra introduced an additional technical challenge because an operational golf buggy had to be integrated within a custom-built scenic boat structure. Steel framing, timber, plywood and fibreglass construction needed to be developed around the vehicle while maintaining its movement, steering and braking functions before the completed piece could enter rehearsals.

Once completed, the scenic elements were delivered into the production environment for movement checks, rehearsal use and final operational adjustments. Floor protection formed part of the site requirements while moving and testing the substantial steel-framed pieces, helping ensure that installation and rehearsal activities could proceed efficiently throughout the 20-day delivery programme.

PERFORMANCE SCENIC FABRICATION IN PRACTICE

The Terhal project demonstrates the technical depth required to transform traditional-looking scenic objects into fully functional performance elements. What appeared on stage as familiar market carts and an Arabian boat incorporated engineered structures, moving systems and carefully developed scenic finishes beneath their visible surfaces.

The six market carts combined mild-steel framing with plywood, MDF, timber and additional scenic materials to create strong performance structures suitable for direct physical interaction. Fibreglass, foam, fabric and acrylic were incorporated where required to develop shaped details while maintaining the intended visual character of the client-supplied concepts.

The land-abra followed a similar approach by combining a functioning golf buggy with a custom scenic boat structure. Its construction needed to support steering, braking and controlled movement while the scenic body concealed the vehicle beneath and maintained the appearance of a traditional Arabian boat during the performance.

Scenic painting, distressing, textured coatings and timber staining completed the visual transformation of the engineered assemblies. The finished result brought together custom scenic fabrication, structural engineering, mobility and specialist finishing, allowing the scenery to operate as an active and reliable part of the Terhal production rather than simply serving as a static background.

Building Santa’s Sustainable House at Expo City Dubai

Santa’s Sustainable House was created for Winter City 2023 at Expo City Dubai as a complete festive environment built around sustainable materials and immersive scenic construction. The original attraction combined Christmas storytelling with sustainability education inside a visually detailed interactive house.

Evolution Scenic designed, fabricated and installed the entire freestanding temporary structure.

The delivery extended beyond the visible front elevation. It included the primary house construction, multiple roof profiles, artificial-snow finishes, entrance architecture, windows, doors, fencing, access ramps, interior walls and ceilings, a fireplace environment, decorative timber beams, custom furniture, storage joinery, workshop tables, Christmas trees, wrapped presents, detailed props, flooring, lighting and electrical systems.

The result needed to feel like one coherent house, even though it was constructed as a temporary modular scenic installation.

Fabricating the Festive Exterior

The external façade combined a varied roofline with shaped gables, painted wall sections, framed openings and strong red and green detailing. Artificial-snow treatments were applied across the roof profiles to create the winter appearance. The snow finish also visually connected roof sections that differed in height and shape.

The entrance was developed as a principal scenic feature. Candy-cane columns framed the doorway, while the Santa’s Sustainable House sign established a clear focal point above the opening. Windows and doors were treated as architectural components within the façade rather than simply applied graphics. Contrasting surrounds, painted trims and adjacent decorative details gave the elevation additional depth.

Picket fencing enclosed the exterior areas and helped define the footprint of the attraction. Access ramps were incorporated into the installation, connecting the surrounding area to the raised temporary house.

The exterior needed to work at two scales. From a distance, the roof silhouette, entrance sign and colour palette established the identity of the building. At closer range, the layered trims, artificial snow, windows, doors, candy-cane columns and scenic decorations provided the detail expected from an immersive attraction.

Using Materials as Part of the Visual Language

The material palette included timber-based construction, OSB-style panels, painted sheet materials and applied scenic finishes. The OSB-style surfaces were not treated only as concealed structural material. Their visible texture supported the workshop character and contributed to the sustainability-led appearance of the interior.

This allowed the material choice to become part of the storytelling. Areas that required a cleaner architectural finish received painted surfaces, while selected textured panels retained a more practical fabricated appearance. Timber-based construction also provided flexibility across the complete scope. Similar workshop methods could be used for structural modules, shaped roof components, façade profiles, shelves, worktables, storage units and other custom joinery.

The project incorporated reused or recycled materials. Exact material percentages and product specifications have not been supplied, so the case study does not assign recycled content to specific components. Energy-efficient LED lighting formed the second confirmed sustainability measure. The lighting was integrated into the temporary house to support both the exterior identity and the internal scenic environment.

Creating a Complete Interior Workshop

The interior was constructed as a sequence of detailed scenic settings. Walls and ceilings enclosed the environment, while exposed timber-style beams and OSB-style surfaces established the architectural character. Painted areas, red window treatments and carefully positioned decorative elements introduced contrast across the rooms.

One of the principal spaces resembled a working office or workshop. A substantial timber worktable occupied the centre of the setting, supported by storage units, shelves, display surfaces and small scenic props. The furniture and joinery were proportioned to the room and positioned as part of the complete visual composition.

Wall-mounted materials, shelving and decorative objects created depth around the central table. Rather than leaving large areas of undecorated wall, the interior used multiple fabricated and dressed surfaces to create the appearance of an active working environment.

Evolution Furniture supported the furniture package, while Evolution Prop Shop contributed to the decorative content and detailed dressing. These specialist elements were coordinated with the scenic build rather than added without reference to the architecture. Shelves, counters and tables were positioned according to the room layout, sightlines and circulation requirements.

Constructing the Fireplace Setting

A separate interior area was organised around a brick-effect feature wall and decorative fireplace.

The brick-effect scenic treatment established a warmer domestic setting distinct from the workshop-style surfaces elsewhere in the house.

The fireplace surround provided the main fabricated focal point. Hanging stockings, framed details, wrapped presents and a decorated Christmas tree completed the setting. The surrounding window, curtain treatments, furniture and prop placement created multiple layers within the room. This ensured the area remained visually complete when viewed from different directions rather than functioning only as a front-facing photographic backdrop.

The use of scenic construction, furniture and props as one coordinated system was essential to the finished result. The fireplace wall provided the architectural context. The custom and supplied furniture established the usable room arrangement. The trees, stockings, presents and detailed props then developed the festive narrative within that structure.

Integrating Lighting and Electrical Systems

Evolution Technical supported the lighting and electrical components of the house. Energy-efficient LED lighting was used as part of the sustainability approach. The fixtures helped establish the warmth of the interior spaces and supported the visibility of the exterior sign, façade details and decorative features.

The lighting needed to work with the selected scenic finishes. Warm internal illumination enhanced the timber and OSB-style surfaces, while the Christmas trees, fireplace environment and decorated shelving required more focused lighting to retain their detail.

Because the house was assembled from modular wall and ceiling sections, electrical routes had to remain compatible with the temporary construction. Services needed to pass through or alongside the fabricated architecture without interrupting visible surfaces.

The exact lighting fixture schedule and electrical control arrangement have not been provided. The confirmed scope is limited to Evolution Scenic’s supply of the lighting and electrical systems with support from Evolution Technical.

Engineering for Temporary Public Use

Structural stability and fire-rated materials were confirmed technical requirements. The house needed to remain stable as a freestanding temporary structure throughout its operating period. The wall modules, roof sections, entrance features and internal construction therefore had to work as one connected scenic assembly.

The external ramps and fencing were also part of the installed environment. Their connections and positioning needed to be coordinated with the house footprint rather than treated as unrelated temporary accessories. Fire-rated materials formed part of the project requirements. The supplied information does not identify the individual material classifications or certification documents, and these have not been inferred.

Temporary environments intended for interactive use normally require careful control of structural connections, projecting details, decorative fixings, electrical components and access routes. These considerations reflect Evolution Scenic’s standard methodology. Only structural stability and the requirement for fire-rated materials are presented as confirmed project facts.

A Complete Sustainable Scenic Environment

Santa’s Sustainable House demonstrated how a temporary attraction could combine structural scenic construction with detailed interior production. The exterior established a complete festive building through its roof profiles, artificial snow, shaped gables, entrance sign, candy-cane columns, windows, doors, fencing and ramps.

The interior extended the environment through scenic walls, ceilings, exposed beams, custom joinery, a brick-effect fireplace setting, furniture, trees, presents and workshop props. Reused or recycled materials and energy-efficient LED lighting supported the sustainable brief. Modular workshop construction supported the one-week programme and the later dismantling of the temporary house.

The completed project depended on more than decorative finishing. It required the coordination of temporary architecture, structural stability, scenic fabrication, interior construction, technical systems, furniture and prop dressing. That integrated approach allowed Evolution Scenic to deliver Santa’s Sustainable House as a complete immersive environment at Expo City Dubai.

Fabricating A Championship Environment Under Tight Deadlines

The CYTAKA World Cyber Championship required Evolution Scenic to deliver a visually distinctive temporary environment in Dubai within an exceptionally compressed programme. The project included a custom stage, branded scenic elements, custom podiums, lightbox signage and other bespoke fabricated features. Evolution Scenic's project page confirms that the scenic installation had less than one day available for build-up.

The challenge was therefore not simply to fabricate individual scenic components, but to create a coordinated environment that could be installed rapidly while maintaining a consistent visual identity. The finished installation combined physical scenic construction with large-format LED screens, creating a stage environment where digital content and fabricated structures worked together.

Turning Championship Branding Into Scenic Construction

A significant part of the project involved translating the CYTAKA visual identity into physical scenic structures. MDF cladding was used across the fabricated elements, providing a clean surface for the printed championship graphics and sponsor branding.

This treatment was applied to scenic walls, bespoke props and the large photo-op structure.

The photo-op provided one of the clearest examples of the fabrication approach. Its nested rectangular frames created a series of progressively smaller openings, producing depth and perspective within a freestanding scenic structure. Rather than functioning as a simple printed backdrop, the photo-op became a three-dimensional piece of temporary architecture.

Building The Stage Environment

The main stage incorporated custom fabricated platforms and podium structures alongside large LED screens. The fabricated elements established the physical geometry of the competition environment, while the LED screens provided the large digital surfaces required for the production.

The combination created a layered stage composition, with physical scenic structures positioned in front of and around the digital display surfaces. This relationship between scenic construction and LED technology allowed the stage to retain physical depth while supporting changing digital content.

MDF Fabrication And Printed Graphics

MDF was used as the cladding material across key fabricated scenic elements. The material provided the substrate for printed graphics carrying the CYTAKA identity, championship artwork and sponsor branding. Using printed graphics directly across fabricated scenic surfaces allowed individual components to maintain a consistent visual language. The same approach continued across the photo-op, branded scenic walls and bespoke props, ensuring that the scenic package read as one coordinated environment.

Integrating LED Display Technology

The main stage incorporated multiple LED display surfaces alongside the custom scenic fabrication. The screens provided the principal digital backdrop, while the fabricated stage platforms, podiums and surrounding scenic structures created the physical architecture of the installation. This required the scenic package to be conceived as part of a wider production environment rather than as isolated decorative elements. The finished stage demonstrates how fabricated scenic surfaces can frame and complement digital content while providing physical depth that cannot be achieved through screens alone.

Delivering Within Less Than One Day

The installation programme was one of the defining constraints of the project. Evolution Scenic completed the scenic build-up in less than one day, requiring the fabricated components to be prepared for rapid installation and accurate assembly. For a project involving a custom stage, branded scenic walls, a large photo-op, podiums, lightbox signage and LED integration, the available site time left little tolerance for extensive fabrication work or corrective finishing.

This makes the relationship between workshop preparation and site execution particularly important. Components needed to be fabricated, finished and graphically treated before installation so that the site programme could concentrate on assembly and integration.

Creating A Complete Temporary Scenic Environment

The finished CYTAKA installation brought together multiple areas of Evolution Scenic's capability.

Custom stage fabrication established the main physical environment. MDF-clad structures provided the surfaces for printed championship graphics. Bespoke podiums and props added dimensional scenic elements, while the photo-op created a prominent freestanding architectural feature.

Large LED screens were integrated into the stage to provide the digital component of the environment. Together, these elements transformed the championship branding into a complete temporary scenic installation. The project demonstrates the value of combining scenic fabrication, graphic application and technical integration when a production requires a strong physical environment within a very limited installation period.

Creating Custom Learning Environments for Three Abu Dhabi Schools

In August 2023, New Century Education selected Evolution Scenic to deliver customised scenic and functional elements across three schools in Abu Dhabi. The project extended beyond conventional decoration. It brought together large-scale scenic fabrication, custom joinery, library furniture, architectural wall treatments, acoustic panels and educational graphics. Each element needed to make the school interiors more visually engaging while still supporting the practical requirements of pupils, staff and visitors.

The most prominent component was a tree-form library bookshelf measuring six metres high and 3.5 metres in diameter. Finished using spray-painted scenic surfaces, the structure was designed to become a central feature within the library environment.

Around this focal point, Evolution Scenic installed circular seating with integrated cushions and additional long counters. Together, these elements formed a coordinated reading and interaction area rather than a collection of unrelated furniture. The wider scope included visitor-registration counters at the main entrances, slotted wall panels, custom-shaped acoustic treatments and extensive educational graphics.

Turning a Tree Form into Functional Library Fabrication

The tree bookshelf combined the visual scale of a scenic installation with the functional requirements of library storage. At six metres high, the feature occupied a substantial volume within the interior. Its 3.5-metre diameter created a broad canopy and strong visual presence, allowing it to become an organising feature within the library.

The structure incorporated shelving directly into the central tree form, allowing books to be stored and displayed while maintaining the sculptural character of the installation. A circular canopy with shaped leaf elements extended above a central trunk-like structure, while curved shelving was arranged around the core. Rather than placing a decorative tree alongside conventional bookcases, the storage function was integrated into the scenic form itself.

This relationship between appearance and use was central to the fabrication. The bookshelf needed to be visually distinctive enough to define the room while remaining practical as part of the school’s everyday library environment.

Evolution Scenic developed the feature as a large-scale piece of functional scenic fabrication, coordinating the sculptural tree form with the shelving geometry and overall proportions required within the interior. The result was a six-metre-high scenic centrepiece that combined custom fabrication, integrated book storage and a recognisable tree-inspired form within one functional library feature.

Coordinating the Tree, Seating and Library Counters

The tree bookshelf was supported by additional custom-made library elements that extended the same design language through the surrounding space. Circular seating with integrated cushions was constructed around the tree, creating an informal reading zone while making practical use of the area immediately surrounding the central feature.

The curved seating geometry responded directly to the form of the tree. Rather than introducing straight furniture around a circular scenic element, the seating followed the same radial arrangement and helped create a more cohesive relationship between the central structure and the wider library interior. Long counters were also positioned near the tree bookshelves, providing additional working and display surfaces within the library areas.

Together, the tree, integrated shelving, circular seating and adjacent counters created a layered interior environment in which the principal scenic feature was supported by functional elements designed around its scale and geometry.

This coordinated approach allowed the central installation to operate as more than a standalone decorative feature. The surrounding seating and counters helped integrate the tree bookshelf into the everyday function and spatial organisation of the library.

Custom Counters for Visitor Registration

Evolution Scenic also fabricated and installed custom counters at the main entrances of the schools, extending the project scope beyond the library areas and into the arrival environments.

Designed for visitor registration, the counters served a clear operational purpose within each entrance. They provided a dedicated point for receiving visitors while remaining visually integrated with the surrounding interior rather than appearing as standalone furniture.

Because of their position at the main entrances, the counters also contributed to the first impression of the school environment. Their scale, placement and overall form needed to work comfortably within the available space while supporting everyday staff and visitor use.

The counters demonstrated a different aspect of Evolution Scenic’s fabrication capability. Alongside the larger sculptural tree bookshelves and curved seating features, the team also delivered more conventional functional joinery with the same attention to proportion, usability and spatial coordination.

Across the three schools, the visitor registration counters formed part of a wider package of custom-made interior elements. Together with the tree bookshelves, integrated seating and library counters, they helped create a coordinated environment combining sculptural scenic fabrication with practical everyday functions.

Adding Architectural Detail with Slotted Wall Panels

Slotted wall panels were delivered and installed across selected classrooms and circulation areas, introducing a more structured architectural finish to the school interiors.

The repeated linear slot pattern added depth, texture and visual rhythm to otherwise flat wall surfaces. The panels were integrated with geometric wall sections and continued around corners, openings and adjoining finishes to create a more coordinated treatment.

Accurate setting out was important to the installation. The vertical lines needed to remain consistent across adjoining sections, while panel edges had to align neatly with door frames, skirtings, ceilings and surrounding architectural features.

The wall treatment required careful coordination between fabrication and installation so that the repeated pattern remained visually consistent once positioned on site. Clean junctions and accurate alignment were particularly important where the panels met changes in wall direction or other interior finishes.

The completed slotted wall panels demonstrated how custom scenic fabrication could be applied directly to architectural surfaces. Rather than functioning as freestanding scenic elements, they became integrated interior features that added depth, structure and detail to the classroom and circulation environments.

Integrating Acoustic Treatments into Science Rooms

Evolution Scenic produced and installed custom-shaped acoustic panels for the science room walls, combining practical sound control with a more considered visual treatment.

The panels varied in both colour and size, allowing the acoustic elements to become part of the room design rather than appearing as a standard repetitive wall system. Different shapes could be arranged across the wall surfaces to create a more composed and visually engaging finish.

By integrating the acoustic treatment into the overall interior language, the panels performed both a functional and decorative role. Their customised geometry helped break up large wall areas while contributing additional colour, depth and visual structure to the science rooms.

Accurate positioning was important to maintain consistent spacing between the different panel shapes and ensure the overall composition remained balanced across each wall. The installation therefore required coordination between the individual panel sizes, their arrangement and the surrounding architectural features.

The completed treatment demonstrated how functional interior requirements could be incorporated into the wider fabrication package. Rather than treating acoustic control as a separate technical addition, Evolution Scenic developed the panels as visible design elements that contributed directly to the character of the science room interiors.

Transforming Walls into Educational Graphics

Evolution Scenic designed and installed extensive graphic wall treatments across corridors, classrooms and shared school areas, combining school branding with educational content. The illustrated subjects included mathematics, measurement, space, transportation, marine life, personal values, language, sports, the five senses, plant growth and prehistoric life.

Many of the graphics incorporated both Arabic and English content, bringing together illustrations, diagrams, labels and headings across complete wall elevations. Rather than functioning as individual signs, the treatments transformed large sections of wall into integrated educational displays.

The scale of the graphic compositions required careful coordination during installation. Long visual sequences had to remain aligned while working around doors, electrical devices, air-conditioning controls and other fixed architectural elements. Geometric branding was also applied across entrance atriums and upper-level wall surfaces to create a consistent visual language throughout the schools.

The graphic scope extended to the exterior through a large illustrated mural incorporating themes related to heritage, education, technology and Arabic calligraphy. Together, the interior graphics, branded surfaces and exterior mural formed a coordinated visual layer that complemented the wider fabrication and interior works delivered by Evolution Scenic.

Managing Finishes for a Child-Friendly Environment

The school environment placed particular importance on the preparation and finishing of fabricated elements. Evolution Scenic prioritised child-friendly finishes across the delivered components, ensuring that the completed work was suitable for spaces used regularly by young students.

Painted components were fully cured before delivery, while treated items were ventilated to reduce the presence of residual fumes before entering the school interiors. This made finishing an important part of the wider production process rather than simply a final visual treatment.

The requirement influenced the relationship between workshop fabrication, finishing and installation. Sufficient time needed to be allowed for coatings and treated surfaces to cure and ventilate properly before the completed components were transported and installed on site.

This approach reflected the different requirements of fabrication intended for an occupied educational environment. Alongside appearance and durability, the finishing process needed to consider the suitability of the completed elements for everyday use within classrooms, libraries and other student areas.

Installing the Fit-Out Across Three Schools

Evolution Scenic delivered the fit-out across three separate schools in Abu Dhabi, coordinating fabrication, transport and installation across a range of interior environments.

Each school presented different room dimensions, architectural interfaces and site conditions. The tree bookshelves, counters, seating, wall panels and graphic treatments therefore had to be installed according to their intended locations and coordinated with the surrounding architecture.

The large tree bookshelf represented the most substantial interior installation. At six metres high and 3.5 metres in diameter, its scale required careful coordination of access, assembly and working height, while the wider installation also included slotted wall panels, acoustic treatments, reception counters and educational graphics.

Delivering the complete scope across three schools required close coordination between workshop production, finishing, transport and site installation. The completed fit-out brought together large-scale scenic features, functional joinery and integrated wall treatments within one coordinated delivery package.

Delivering a Complete Educational Interior Package

The completed NCE school environments brought together large-scale scenic features, functional joinery, architectural treatments and educational graphics as one coordinated interior package across three schools.

The tree-form bookshelf created a strong focal point within the libraries, combining the scale of an architectural installation with integrated book storage. Circular cushioned seating supported the surrounding reading areas, while long library counters and entrance registration counters introduced additional functional elements for everyday use.

Slotted wall panels added texture and architectural detail across selected areas, while custom-shaped acoustic panels introduced both sound control and colour within the science rooms. Educational graphics extended the treatment across corridors and classrooms, transforming complete wall elevations into large-format learning surfaces.

Together, these elements demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s ability to combine scenic fabrication, custom manufacturing, functional joinery, graphic production and site installation within an educational environment. The full scope was completed across all three schools ahead of schedule, with painted and treated finishes fully cured and ventilated before delivery for use within spaces occupied by young students.

Restoring Expo Winter City’s Festive Scenic Collection

Expo Winter City in Dubai required an extensive collection of Christmas scenery and oversized decorative props to be restored for continued seasonal use. The original project record identifies decorative islands and oversized baubles as principal elements within the refurbishment scope. Decorative islands were repainted and re-flocked, while damaged baubles were repaired and given paint touch-ups.

Evolution Scenic and Evolution Prop Shop delivered the work together. The project photography shows a much broader collection of festive scenery. This included a gingerbread village installation, illuminated reindeer, clustered baubles, a giant bauble seating pod, a realistic reindeer prop, stacked gift structures, an illuminated snowflake and a conical Christmas tree framework.

All of the photographed elements formed part of the refurbishment programme. Most received repainting, while individual pieces required different levels of structural and decorative repair.

Some new scenic elements were also fabricated.

Assessing a Mixed Collection of Scenic Assets

Seasonal scenic collections rarely deteriorate uniformly. A painted bauble may have impact damage or chipped coatings. A flocked scenic island may remain structurally sound but require the decorative finish to be completely replaced. A sculpted prop may need local repair around vulnerable projecting details, while a large illuminated structure may require careful handling to avoid damage to its frame or decorative lighting. The Expo Winter City collection combined all of these requirements.

The workshop team assessed the pieces individually and selected an appropriate repair sequence for each one. This was necessary because the scenery was constructed from mixed materials and no single treatment could be applied across the complete collection. The confirmed process included cleaning, removing damaged finishes, completing structural repairs, filling, sanding, priming, repainting, removing worn flock and applying new flocking. This sequence ensured that the new decorative finish was supported by a repaired and correctly prepared substrate.

Repairing Before Repainting

Surface preparation was a central part of the refurbishment.Applying fresh paint directly over cracked, loose or uneven coatings would not have produced the required finish. Damaged material was therefore removed before repairs were made to the underlying forms.Filling compounds restored chips, dents and repair joints. Sanding blended these areas into the original surfaces and recreated the smooth profiles required by the oversized ornaments. Primer then created a consistent base for the new paint layers.

This was particularly important for the baubles. Their curved forms and reflective finishes could reveal even minor imperfections once placed under external and decorative lighting. The repaired surfaces were repainted in the collection’s established festive palette. Reds, greens, whites and metallic golds were used across the baubles, gift structures and gingerbread installations.

Reconstructing the Gingerbread Environment

The gingerbread scenic island was one of the most compositionally detailed pieces within the collection. The installation brought together a large gingerbread house, stylised trees, candy-cane structures, gingerbread characters, present props and a decorative perimeter fence. Each element used its own profile and graphic treatment, but all needed to read as one workshop-built environment.

The house combined gingerbread-coloured walls with white icing lines, green window details and red decorative features. The surrounding trees used matching biscuit tones and snow-like edges, while striped candy props introduced stronger red-and-white contrast. Wrapped presents added blocks of red and green to the centre of the installation. The perimeter fence repeated the gingerbread and icing treatment, visually containing the entire scene. Refurbishment required careful colour control across these individual elements. The work needed to restore the definition of the details without losing the handmade scenic quality of the original design.

Restoring Oversized Baubles

The bauble collection included ornaments of different sizes and finishes. Some were installed as individual features. Others were arranged in clusters, while the largest red ornament incorporated an open side and internal seating area. Broken pieces were repaired before repainting or localised touch-ups were completed. This restored the continuous curved form of each ornament and reduced the visibility of previous impact damage.

Decorative motifs included snowflakes, trees, stripes and solid metallic treatments. Caps and hanging-loop details reinforced the scale of the ornaments, allowing the pieces to read clearly as enlarged Christmas decorations. The large bauble seating pod required particular attention because it combined scenic appearance with a functional interior. The opening edge, curved shell and internal surfaces could all be inspected from close range. Grouped baubles were returned as complete compositions. Colour and graphic variation were retained while the overall finish was brought to a consistent standard.

Illuminated Reindeer and Snowflake Features

Several scenic elements used illumination as part of their visible construction. The reindeer silhouettes consisted of open sculptural forms filled with warm-white decorative lights. Individual bases provided the visual and physical connection between the figures and the paved installation area. The illuminated snowflake used a similar open-frame method. Its broad geometric arms created a recognisable outline while the internal lighting defined the structure after dark.

These pieces required controlled workshop handling because the scenic frames and lighting components were visually interdependent. The electrical refurbishment scope has not been confirmed. No claim is therefore made regarding replacement lights, rewiring, testing or control systems. From a scenic perspective, the work focused on maintaining the shape, surface condition and complete visual presentation of the illuminated structures before they were returned to site.

Refurbishing Sculpted and Freestanding Props

The collection included a realistic freestanding reindeer prop. Unlike the graphic silhouettes, this element used a fully sculpted body, head and antlers. Painted tonal variation defined the coat, face and hooves, while the red harness, metallic details and bells completed the seasonal character. Projecting antlers and legs are naturally more vulnerable during storage and transportation than broad scenic panels. Any damaged areas therefore required repair that preserved both the strength and the original sculpted profile.

The workshop setting allowed the prop to be inspected and repaired before its decorative finish was reinstated. Other freestanding pieces required the same relationship between structure and finish. Repairs first restored the form; scenic paintwork then concealed the intervention.

Gift Structures and the Conical Tree

A large illuminated gift tower was assembled from stacked present forms. The boxes varied in size and were arranged into a tapered vertical structure. Warm internal lighting created the primary visual effect, while red ribbons and bows defined the individual gifts. The project also included large freestanding gift-box props finished in patterned red, green, white and gold treatments.

Dimensional ribbon forms and bows gave the otherwise geometric boxes a stronger scenic profile. A tall conical Christmas tree framework provided another large-scale installation. The open structure incorporated multiple star forms and terminated in a prominent star topper. The transparent construction allowed the outline and internal geometry of the tree to remain visible. The precise framing and mesh materials have not been supplied.

Combining Refurbishment with New Fabrication

The project was not solely a restoration programme. Some new scenic elements were fabricated to support the required festive collection. This allowed existing assets to be retained while additional pieces were introduced where repair alone could not satisfy the scope.

Specific records identifying the newly built items were not supplied. It would therefore be inaccurate to describe any one photographed installation as new rather than refurbished. The combined approach is nevertheless significant. Refurbishment and new fabrication use related workshop skills, but they begin from different conditions. A new element can be developed around a controlled construction sequence. A refurbished element requires the team to understand and work with an existing structure, including previous finishes, wear and historical repairs. Delivering both within one package required consistent scenic finishing so that newly fabricated and restored items could operate as one collection.

Workshop Delivery and Installation Planning

The refurbishment and fabrication were completed within the Evolution workshop. The controlled workshop environment supported cleaning, repair, sanding, priming, painting and flocking without relying on public installation areas for production work. Once completed, the props were protected and prepared for transport.

Large ornaments, sculpted features and open illuminated structures each required suitable handling. The route from workshop to final position had to account for the dimensions and vulnerability of the pieces as well as the preservation of the new finishes. Delivery took place through phased access.

Lifting equipment was used where required to move and position the larger scenic structures. The exact lifting equipment and individual prop weights are not recorded in the information supplied.

Floor protection was installed during placement. Public-area controls were also used so that the installation activities remained separated from surrounding venue operations.

Project Overview and Scenic Delivery

The Youth Tolerance Rally took place in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Evolution Scenic worked for the event producer to create an integrated physical environment for the event, providing creative design, design development, scenic fabrication, graphics production, installation, site support and dismantling.

The principal environment centred on a custom main stage incorporating a giant screen and seamless branded backdrop. Evolution Scenic supplied both the stage deck and giant screen, then developed the surrounding scenery so that the technical presentation infrastructure and visible scenic architecture operated as one coordinated system.

Supporting elements included a bespoke lectern, performance platforms, scenic panels, freestanding signage, interactive team-building props and a large-format fabric banner. The project moved from an initial two-day conceptualisation period into a five-day fabrication-and-installation programme.

Developing the Scenic Concept

The initial creative direction was established within just two days. During this period, Evolution Scenic developed a visual language that could be consistently applied across the different physical elements of the event.

The main stage, screen surround, backdrop, lectern, signage, platforms, graphics, banner and interactive pieces all needed to relate visually and technically to one another. Conceptual development therefore progressed alongside practical fabrication considerations. The geometry surrounding the giant screen needed to correspond with the stage deck and technical layout, while graphic areas had to match the dimensions and forms of the fabricated scenic panels. The bespoke lectern was also developed to function within the stage environment while repeating the same overall design language.

Integrating the Stage, Screen and Branded Backdrop

The main stage formed the foundation of the scenic environment. Evolution Scenic supplied the stage deck and giant screen before fabricating the scenery surrounding them. Rather than treating the screen as an independent technical element positioned behind the stage, the surrounding scenic architecture was developed to visually integrate it into the overall presentation environment. Physical scenic surfaces extended around the display, creating continuity between digital content, printed imagery and the branded backdrop.

The backdrop itself was developed to appear as one continuous scenic composition. Panel alignment, graphic registration, edge treatment and scenic junctions were carefully coordinated to maintain a seamless appearance once installed.

Bespoke Scenic Fabrication and Materials

Evolution Scenic fabricated a range of custom elements including the bespoke lectern, performance platforms, scenic structures, freestanding signage and interactive team-building pieces. he confirmed construction palette included timber, plywood, MDF, steel framing, fabric and printed vinyl. These materials enabled different types of scenic structures and finishes to be produced through a coordinated workshop process. Plywood and MDF provided practical construction and finishing surfaces, while steel framing was also incorporated within the project.

Fabric and printed vinyl provided the visual treatment required for large branded areas, allowing graphics, colour and imagery to be integrated directly with the fabricated scenery. The various material systems had to work together while remaining compatible with the stage deck, giant screen and surrounding scenic architecture.

Graphics and Large-Format Fabric Banner

Graphics production formed an important part of Evolution Scenic's scope and was integrated across the backdrop, scenic panels, bespoke lectern and freestanding signage. Graphics were treated as part of the scenic construction rather than simply as a decorative layer added after fabrication. Panel dimensions, joins, returns, edges and visible margins all influenced how the artwork would appear after installation.

A large-format fabric banner was also developed as one of the prominent supporting visual elements. Evolution Scenic was responsible for its design and for coordinating it with the wider scenic environment. The specialist printing and stitching of the banner were completed externally, while Evolution Scenic maintained responsibility for integrating its design language with the stage, graphics and surrounding scenery.

Five-Day Fabrication, Installation and Site Support

Following the two-day conceptualisation period, fabrication and installation progressed within a compressed five-day programme. The stage deck and giant screen established the principal technical arrangement. The scenic backdrop, screen surround, platforms and supporting structures were then positioned and aligned around these elements. The bespoke lectern, signs, graphic panels and interactive pieces completed the wider environment.

Because of the short delivery period, controlled workshop fabrication and coordination were essential. Accurate preparation reduced the requirement for extensive site modifications and protected the time available for final alignment, technical preparation and rehearsal. Evolution Scenic remained on site during rehearsals and the operational period, providing continuity where the scenery interfaced with the staging, giant screen, performance structures and interactive elements. Following the event, the company also completed the dismantling of the temporary environment.

Delivering a Coordinated Scenic System

The Youth Tolerance Rally demonstrates the value of coordinating staging, screens, fabrication and graphics through one scenic delivery process. Evolution Scenic supplied the stage deck and giant screen while simultaneously developing the structures that visually integrated these technical elements into the event environment.

The seamless branded backdrop, bespoke lectern, performance platforms, signs, graphic panels, interactive pieces and supporting scenery were developed within a consistent production language. Engineering, fire-safety and HSSE considerations also formed part of the temporary scenic delivery methodology, with attention given to structural stability, secure assembly, safe interfaces and compatibility with surrounding technical equipment.

From two days of conceptual development through five days of fabrication and installation, followed by rehearsal support, event operation and dismantling, the project provides a strong example of rapid scenic fabrication, integrated stage construction and coordinated temporary-environment delivery in Abu Dhabi.