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.

Project Overview and Creative Scope

From 26–28 November 2021, ADNOC Headquarters in Abu Dhabi hosted the ADNOC Jubilee Festival, celebrating 50 years of achievements, innovation and service to the nation. The anniversary required an event environment that could reflect the significance of the milestone while supporting the practical requirements of a large-scale festival.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for translating the event's design concepts into a coordinated collection of custom scenic installations. Rather than producing a single feature, the project involved multiple fabricated environments that needed to function together as one consistent visual experience.

The scenic scope included the distinctive ADNOC 50 Faces gallery stands, created around the number "50", a heavy-duty main stage platform, a large freestanding hashtag installation, an interactive pledge booth, as well as custom backdrops and supporting branded scenic elements.

Each installation had its own purpose, scale and construction requirements, but all needed to communicate the same ADNOC Jubilee identity. This made coordination between fabrication, finishing and installation an important part of the overall delivery.

Design and Fabrication Challenges

One of the main challenges of the ADNOC Jubilee project was the variety of scenic structures required within a single event environment. Each feature presented a different fabrication requirement, meaning the production team had to manage several construction approaches simultaneously while maintaining a consistent visual standard.

The 50 Faces gallery installations, for example, required shaped scenic fabrication built around the recognizable "50" anniversary form. Their construction also incorporated technical PVC flooring and reflective vinyl, adding both practical surface treatment and visual impact.

The main stage presented a different challenge. As one of the central functional structures within the festival, it required a heavy-duty platform capable of supporting the event's operational needs. Custom ramp access also had to be incorporated into the platform design.

Meanwhile, the giant hashtag installation needed to function as a substantial freestanding scenic feature. Unlike elements supported by existing architecture, it had to create a strong standalone visual presence within the wider festival environment. The pledge booth, custom backdrops and additional branded elements further increased the diversity of the fabrication programme.

All of these components also had to be completed against a tight project timeline. The production process therefore required careful coordination so that fabrication, finishing and preparation for installation could progress efficiently without compromising consistency across the different scenic elements.

Scenic Fabrication, Engineering and Construction

Evolution Scenic's fabrication approach focused on turning graphic and architectural concepts into practical physical structures suitable for a live festival environment.

The ADNOC 50 Faces gallery stands were among the project's most visually distinctive elements. Scenic construction was shaped around the anniversary number "50", transforming the graphic identity of the celebration into a three-dimensional visitor experience. Technical PVC flooring and reflective vinyl were incorporated into the finished installations, reinforcing the visual character of the structures.

The main stage platform required a more substantial construction approach because of its functional role within the festival. A heavy-duty platform formed the structural foundation, while PVC flooring provided the finished stage surface. A custom ramp was integrated into the platform to provide controlled access to the stage.

For the giant hashtag, the scenic fabrication had to produce a structure capable of operating independently as a freestanding feature. Its scale and positioning allowed it to act as a prominent visual landmark within the event environment.

Evolution Scenic also fabricated the interactive pledge booth, custom backdrops and supporting branded installations. Although each element had a different function, the fabrication process ensured that branding, finishes and visual proportions worked together across the complete festival site. This coordinated construction approach allowed multiple individual structures to appear as parts of one carefully designed scenic environment rather than unrelated standalone pieces.

Materials, Finishes and Branded Environment

Materials and finishes played an important role in transforming the fabricated structures into a coherent ADNOC Jubilee environment.

Technical PVC flooring and reflective vinyl were used on the 50 Faces gallery installations to create a polished and visually striking finish. The reflective vinyl enhanced the anniversary-themed structures, helping the distinctive “50” forms stand out throughout the festival environment. The technical PVC flooring provided a practical and clean finished surface for the gallery installations while supporting the overall presentation of the scenic environment.

The main stage platform also incorporated PVC flooring as part of its finished construction. Beneath the visible surface, the heavy-duty platform provided the structural support required for the central stage environment. Maintaining visual consistency across the different scenic elements was also an important part of the project. The gallery structures, main stage, pledge booth, hashtag installation and branded backdrops were designed to work together as part of one unified event identity.

Careful attention to finishes, branding and the relationship between individual structures helped create a cohesive visual experience across the site. By coordinating these scenic treatments, ADNOC’s anniversary branding extended beyond graphics and signage into the physical environment of the festival.

The result was a professionally finished scenic environment where materials, surfaces and branded elements worked together to strengthen the overall presentation of the ADNOC Jubilee celebration.

Installation, Delivery and Project Outcome

The completed scenic package was delivered to ADNOC HQ in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Jubilee Festival, which took place from 26–28 November 2021.

Installation involved bringing together several different types of scenic structures across the venue. Gallery installations, the heavy-duty main stage, freestanding signage, the interactive pledge booth, branded backdrops and supporting scenic elements all had to be positioned and integrated into the overall festival environment.

The main stage required its custom ramp to be incorporated into the completed platform, while the giant hashtag needed to be positioned as a prominent standalone feature. At the same time, the gallery structures and supporting branded elements had to work together visually across the site. Despite the demanding programme, Evolution Scenic successfully delivered the scenic installations within the project's tight timeline.

The completed environment gave the ADNOC Jubilee Festival a combination of custom-built architecture, branded scenic finishes and functional event infrastructure. The 50 Faces gallery stands provided a distinctive architectural interpretation of the anniversary theme, while the main stage created the central functional platform for the event. The giant hashtag, pledge booth, custom backdrops and additional branded elements extended the Jubilee identity throughout the venue and created multiple visual touchpoints for guests.

Overall, the project demonstrated Evolution Scenic's ability to translate detailed creative concepts into physical scenic environments while coordinating varied construction methods, finishes and functional requirements as part of a single large-scale event delivery.

Creating A Complete Winter Environment At Al Wasl Plaza

Expo Winter Fest 2023 required the transformation of Al Wasl Plaza into a complete temporary winter environment. Evolution Scenic was appointed by the event producer to design, fabricate, install and technically support the scenic package. The company also maintained the installation throughout its public operating period.

The project was developed and delivered over two months. Rather than focusing on a single stage or feature structure, the scope covered an extensive collection of architectural, sculptural and interactive scenic elements. These included a traditional chalet-style Christmas market, Santa’s House, a themed toy factory, festive fairground installations, tree islands, oversized baubles, entrance gates and a refurbished Santa letter station. 

Each element formed part of the same visual environment, but its construction needed to respond to a different structural or operational requirement.

Developing The Scenic Architecture

The chalet-style market established the principal architectural language for the project. Pitched roofs, timber detailing and traditional winter decoration created the appearance of a seasonal European market while remaining compatible with temporary event construction.

The structures needed sufficient strength for installation and operation but also had to be practical to manufacture, transport, assemble and maintain. Timber framing provided the primary construction method for many of the architectural components. Plywood and MDF were used to form walls, façades, roof sections, trims and decorative details.

Working from a common design language allowed individual structures to retain their own identity while reading as part of one connected winter village. Santa’s House expanded this architectural treatment into an immersive themed installation. The building incorporated festive scenic detailing and Christmas elements designed to create a richer spatial experience than a simple decorative façade.

Golden entrance gates and associated scenic structures marked transition points through the environment. In addition to reinforcing the visual treatment, these elements helped organise the flow between different zones.

Combining Workshop Disciplines

The breadth of the project required several scenic manufacturing disciplines to operate within one production programme. Carpentry teams produced the framed chalet structures, walls, roofs and detailed joinery components. Metal fabrication supported structural elements and the internal frames required for technically integrated installations.

MDF provided smooth surfaces for routed profiles, decorative forms and painted scenic details.Plywood supplied robust sheet construction where greater structural performance was required. Steel was incorporated where structures needed additional rigidity or where moving components placed greater demands on the supporting framework.

The workshop also produced sculptural characters, oversized baubles, gift boxes, decorative islands and numerous smaller themed components. Managing these disciplines within one coordinated production process ensured that architectural structures, props and animated elements shared a consistent standard of fabrication and finish.

Fabricating Elves & Toy-Factory Installation

The hand-carved elves were produced in styrofoam. This method allowed the sculptors to create expressive three-dimensional forms without the weight associated with solid timber or heavier moulded materials. Following carving, the figures received a hard protective coating. The coating increased surface durability and provided a stable base for the final scenic treatment.

The characters were designed to work within the scale of the wider environment. Their proportions and finishes needed to remain visually legible beside the chalet structures, tree installations and larger decorative features. By treating the elves as constructed scenic assets rather than lightweight decorative ornaments, Evolution Scenic was able to integrate them more effectively into the complete environment.

The toy factory contained some of the project’s most technically integrated scenic work.The structure used metal framing, wire mesh and moisture-resistant MDF to form its architectural and decorative surfaces. Moving gifts were incorporated into the installation, introducing mechanical operation within the themed environment.This required the scenic fabrication and technical systems to be developed together. Support frames needed to accommodate the movement, while external finishes had to conceal or visually absorb the underlying technical components.

The moving features also needed to remain accessible for inspection and maintenance during operation. Snow flocking completed the winter treatment, unifying the toy factory with the surrounding chalet structures and decorative installations. The completed feature demonstrated how animated scenery can be incorporated within a temporary public environment without allowing the mechanical system to dominate its visual character.

Producing The Festive Focal Points

Large decorative elements were positioned throughout Al Wasl Plaza to create focal points between the main architectural structures. Tree islands combined artificial trees, fairy lighting and snow dressing. These installations introduced height and texture while helping connect the different scenic zones.

A major Christmas tree provided a central vertical feature within the wider composition. Oversized baubles and gift boxes were fabricated to remain effective within the scale of the plaza. Their three-dimensional construction gave them greater presence than printed or flat decorative treatments.

A giant bauble arrangement was installed on a custom circular platform at the centre of the main stage area. The purpose-built base helped define the composition and provided a controlled interface between the large props and the venue surface.

The Santa letter station was refurbished and incorporated into the updated scenic treatment. Surrounding decorations, timber gift boxes and themed elements allowed the reused structure to sit naturally within the newly fabricated environment.

Installing The Complete Scenic Package

The site installation brought together structures manufactured using different materials and construction methods. Chalet buildings required accurate positioning and alignment so that their roof forms, façades and decorative details retained a consistent architectural rhythm. Large freestanding props needed to be securely installed while preserving their intended orientation and sightlines.

The toy factory required both scenic assembly and technical commissioning. Its structural, decorative and moving components needed to operate as one finished installation. Tree islands, lighting features, entrance treatments and smaller props were then integrated around the principal structures to complete the environment. Project management personnel remained present during delivery, coordinating the scenic and technical work with the event producer. The installation was completed on programme.

Supporting The Environment During Operation

Evolution Scenic remained on site throughout the operating period.

This ongoing responsibility allowed the team to maintain architectural finishes, decorative props, interactive elements and moving scenic systems after the public opening.

Temporary environments experience different demands from static exhibition displays. Visitor contact, repeated operation, environmental exposure and daily cleaning can all affect scenic surfaces and technical elements.

On-site maintenance allowed the team to respond directly to these operational requirements.

The arrangement also ensured that any adjustment was undertaken with an understanding of the original construction methodology, materials and scenic finish.

Delivering A Unified Temporary Environment

The completed Expo Winter Fest environment combined scenic architecture, custom manufacturing and technical production across a broad site.

Its chalet-style structures established a coherent architectural setting. Sculptural elves, giant baubles, gift boxes and tree islands added depth and character. Santa’s House and the letter station created interactive destinations, while the toy factory introduced movement and technical animation.

Behind the winter appearance was a coordinated manufacturing process involving timber framing, steel fabrication, MDF and plywood construction, sculptural carving, hard coating, scenic finishing and mechanical integration.

Evolution Scenic’s complete scope—from design development through maintenance—allowed the environment to be treated as one operational scenic system.

The result demonstrated the company’s ability to design and manufacture complex temporary environments that combine architectural scale, detailed prop work and technically integrated scenic features.

Creating a Culturally Detailed Scenic Environment for the Al Wathba Union Parade

The 2024 Union Parade at Al Wathba required a broad collection of temporary scenic environments and functional structures to be developed around the visual character of Emirati culture. Evolution Scenic was appointed by the event producer to provide design development, fabrication, installation, technical production and maintenance. The confirmed public-facing scope included tribal benches, custom lamp décor bases, branding walls and family tents. Evolution Scenic also completed the tent interiors, carrying the scenic language from the external environment into the internal hospitality spaces.

The original project record additionally identifies a wooden roundabout with a CNC log wall, entrance steps and ramps, technical speaker hiders, camera platforms, cable-trunk cladding, signage walls and fire-extinguisher stands. These elements performed different functions, but they needed to read as one coordinated scenic environment.

Developing the Cultural Scenic Language

The central design-development requirement was to translate the project’s cultural direction into buildable scenic elements. Tribal benches established a furniture-scale layer within the environment. Their construction needed to balance decorative form with repeated public use, movement and maintenance. Custom lamp décor bases created consistent scenic housings around practical lighting equipment. Rather than leaving the technical bass exposed, the decorative construction allowed them to form part of the wider cultural treatment.

Branding walls introduced larger vertical scenic surfaces. These walls supported visual identity, graphics and information while also defining spaces within the temporary environment. The family tents required a more complete architectural response. Evolution Scenic delivered both the tent environments and their interiors, ensuring that external presentation and internal finishes formed a connected visual experience. 

Extending Scenic Fabrication into Temporary Interiors

The family-tent interiors expanded the project beyond standalone external scenery. Interior scenic work requires closer attention to sightlines, junctions, repeated surfaces and the relationship between decorative elements and practical use. Walls, graphic panels, scenic details and technical interfaces are viewed at close range and therefore require controlled fabrication and finishing.

Evolution Scenic’s role covered the interior scenic treatment, but the available records do not identify individual furniture items, textiles, floor finishes or lighting fixtures supplied by the company. The confirmed construction materials were timber, plywood and MDF. Together, these materials provided a practical basis for framed walls, lining panels, routed decorative components and smooth surfaces for scenic finishing or graphic application. The tent interiors were therefore developed as part of the overall scenic scope rather than treated as unrelated temporary furnishing.

Coordinating Timber, Plywood and MDF Construction

The fabrication programme was centred on scenic carpentry. Timber provided framing and support for the fabricated structures. Plywood offered durable sheet construction for walls, platforms and shaped components. MDF allowed smooth decorative surfaces, routed profiles and CNC-produced detailing.

The exact build-up of each element is unavailable. It would be inaccurate to assign a particular thickness, timber grade or sheet product to individual assets without the fabrication records. Within Evolution Scenic’s normal methodology, material allocation is determined by several factors: whether an element carries load, whether it is handled repeatedly, whether it requires CNC machining, how it will be transported and what surface finish is needed. This approach allows different scenic elements to be produced through one coordinated workflow while retaining construction appropriate to their individual use.

Fabricating the Wooden Roundabout and CNC Log Wall

The wooden roundabout formed one of the project’s principal functional scenic features, combining a recognisable architectural form with practical movement and access requirements. Its construction incorporated a CNC-produced log wall, allowing the visible timber profiles to be manufactured with a high level of dimensional consistency. CNC production supported repeatable cutting across the individual components, helping the assembled wall maintain a controlled rhythm and uniform appearance. This method also allowed the scenic treatment to be developed as an integral part of the structure rather than applied as a separate decorative finish.

The roundabout needed to operate as more than a purely visual feature within the wider environment. Its position and form had to work with the surrounding circulation routes so that the scenic treatment did not interfere with movement through the space. This required coordination between the physical layout, fabricated timber elements and the practical access requirements of the installation. The completed feature therefore combined CNC scenic fabrication with functional spatial planning, allowing the roundabout to contribute both visually and operationally to the overall environment.

Integrating Ceremonial Steps and Ramps

Custom entrance steps and ramps were produced for His Highness’s access route. These structures required a different design approach from purely decorative scenery. Their geometry needed to support safe movement while the visible construction remained consistent with the wider environment. Ramp gradients, anti-slip finishes and edge protection formed part of the confirmed HSSE controls. Structural review was also required to verify the access elements before use.

Transitions between the installed ramps, steps and surrounding levels needed to remain controlled. Scenic surfaces, trims or decorative details could not create projections, uneven edges or obstructions. This is an important aspect of scenic fabrication for formal environments: the finished structure must appear visually resolved while continuing to perform as safe temporary access infrastructure.

Incorporating Safety Features into the Scenic Scope

Fire-extinguisher stands and signage walls were developed as visible, purpose-made parts of the wider scenic environment rather than added as unrelated site equipment. Emergency equipment needed to remain clearly identifiable, immediately accessible and unobstructed throughout the installation. The fabricated extinguisher stands therefore provided organised mounting locations while keeping the equipment visible and easy to reach. This allowed essential safety provisions to sit within the finished environment without compromising their operational function.

Fire-rated materials were applied where required, while electrical inspection formed part of the technical compliance process. These measures ensured that the scenic scope considered both the visible finish and the practical requirements associated with temporary installation safety. Signage walls were also incorporated to support safety information, wayfinding and wider operational communication. Their fabrication provided stable, clearly positioned surfaces for graphics while maintaining consistency with the surrounding scenic treatment.

By integrating these requirements during design development, the project avoided treating safety equipment and compliance provisions as additions introduced after the main scenery had been completed. The stands, signage walls and related technical measures were coordinated alongside the wider scenic construction so they could be accommodated within the overall layout. This approach helped maintain both visual consistency and clear operational access across the environment. The result was a more considered installation in which safety, communication and scenic fabrication were developed as part of the same overall scope.

Delivering the Project through Restricted Access

Restricted access was the principal confirmed installation challenge. The two-month programme required design development, fabrication and site activity to remain closely coordinated. Information needed to move quickly from technical development into workshop production, while finished assets had to be delivered in sequences compatible with the available access.

The different scenic systems could not all be installed at the same stage. Larger walls, platforms, ramps, tents and the wooden roundabout needed to establish the principal physical layout. Decorative assets, graphics, equipment hiders and technical cladding could then be aligned around those larger structures. Restricted access also increased the importance of protecting completed work. Once installed, scenic surfaces needed to remain clear of subsequent technical activity and material movement.

Delivering Cultural Scenery as Functional Infrastructure

The Al Wathba Union Parade project demonstrates the breadth of modern scenic fabrication. The completed scope included culturally detailed furniture, decorative technical housings, temporary tent interiors, branding walls, CNC-produced scenic construction, ceremonial access structures, camera platforms, speaker hiders, cable cladding, signage and fire-safety provisions.

Each element needed to fulfil its own practical purpose while remaining visually connected to the wider environment. Evolution Scenic coordinated the design development, fabrication, installation, technical production and maintenance within a two-month delivery programme and under restricted-access conditions. The result was not simply a collection of themed decorative assets. It was an integrated scenic environment in which cultural character, technical infrastructure, safe access and operational support were developed as one physical system.

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.

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.