Festival floats need to combine visual impact with practical fabrication, structural stability and smooth event operation. For the Mansour Festival at Zayed Sports Complex in Abu Dhabi, Evolution designed and fabricated custom floats as part of the wider event environment.

The floats were developed as visually engaging and functional platforms, combining creative scenic design with technical precision to strengthen the atmosphere of the festival and provide distinctive moving features within the event experience.

The Challenge

The project required custom float structures that could deliver a strong visual presence while remaining functional within a live festival environment.

Each platform needed to support the creative direction of the event while also being fabricated with the level of precision required for safe and reliable use.

The challenge was to translate the festival concept into physical scenic forms that could contribute to the overall atmosphere without compromising practical performance.

The Solution

Evolution developed and fabricated bespoke festival floats tailored to the Mansour Festival environment.

The structures were designed to balance creative form with functional requirements, allowing the floats to act as prominent scenic features while supporting their role within the live event.

Careful fabrication and technical detailing helped ensure that the completed platforms achieved the required visual finish while remaining practical for operational use.

By combining scenic design with structural and fabrication expertise, Evolution created custom float elements that enhanced the character and energy of the festival.

Delivery Highlights

• Custom float design for Mansour Festival.

• Festival installation at Zayed Sports Complex.

• Bespoke scenic fabrication.

• Functional moving platforms.

• Visually engaging festival features.

• Creative scenic detailing.

• Technical fabrication precision.

• Event-focused structural development.

• Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed floats contributed to the visual identity and atmosphere of Mansour Festival, creating distinctive scenic features within the event environment.

Their combination of creative design and functional fabrication helped provide a stronger sense of spectacle while supporting the operational requirements of the festival.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to develop custom event floats where visual storytelling, scenic construction and technical execution need to work together as one integrated solution.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Float design, scenic fabrication, structural development, finishing, delivery and installation.

Large ceremonial events require scenic environments that respect cultural identity while also resolving access, safety, technical concealment and guest movement. For the Annual Union Parade 2024 in Al Wathba, Evolution Scenic delivered a coordinated range of culturally inspired scenic elements and functional event structures within a demanding production programme.

The scope included tribal benches, custom lamp décor bases, branded walls, family tents, a large wooden roundabout, CNC-cut log walling, bespoke steps and ramps for His Highness’s entrances, technical hiders, camera platforms, cable trunk cladding, fire extinguisher stands and signage walls. Together, these elements created a visually cohesive environment that balanced cultural presentation with operational and safety requirements.

The Challenge

The project required scenic fabrication to meet several priorities at the same time: cultural authenticity, functional access, technical integration, safety compliance and fast-track delivery.

The event environment needed to reflect traditional visual cues through benches, tents, decorative features and timber treatments, while also accommodating practical infrastructure such as speaker concealment, camera positions, cable management and safety equipment.

Access for His Highness also required dedicated scenic structures, including custom steps and ramps, which needed to work seamlessly within the wider visual language of the event.

The tight programme and complex logistics added further pressure, particularly because each element had to satisfy both operational requirements and a high standard of cultural presentation.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic developed a range of bespoke scenic and structural elements tailored to the parade environment.

Culturally inspired features included tribal benches, custom lamp décor bases, branding walls and family tents, helping establish a consistent visual identity across the site.

A major feature was the custom wooden roundabout, incorporating a CNC-fabricated log wall treatment. Bespoke steps and ramps were integrated into the structure to support His Highness’s entrances while maintaining a coherent scenic finish.

Technical infrastructure was also carefully concealed. Custom hiders were fabricated for speaker boxes, while camera platforms and cable trunk cladding were developed to preserve functionality without allowing technical equipment to dominate the visual environment.

Safety-related elements, including fire extinguisher stands and signage walls, were incorporated into the scenic treatment so that required equipment remained accessible while still fitting within the overall design.

The project was delivered under tight deadlines and complex logistical conditions, requiring close coordination across fabrication, finishing, transport and on-site installation.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic fabrication for the Annual Union Parade 2024.

• Installation in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

• Culturally inspired tribal benches.

• Custom lamp décor bases.

• Branded scenic walls.

• Family tent environments.

• Large custom wooden roundabout.

• CNC-fabricated log wall treatment.

• Bespoke steps and ramps for His Highness’s entrances.

• Technical hiders for speaker boxes.

• Custom camera platforms.

• Cable trunk cladding.

• Fire extinguisher stands.

• Safety signage walls.

• Safety-compliant scenic infrastructure.

• Technical concealment integrated into the scenic design.

• Fast-track fabrication and delivery.

• Complex event logistics and installation.

Outcome

The completed Union Parade environment combined cultural detailing with the practical infrastructure required for a major ceremonial event.

Traditional scenic features established the visual character of the site, while custom access structures, technical hiders, camera platforms, cable cladding and safety elements allowed operational requirements to be integrated without disrupting the overall presentation.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver culturally sensitive event environments where scenic fabrication must also resolve VVIP access, technical infrastructure, safety compliance and demanding logistical constraints.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Cultural scenic fabrication, bespoke benches, decorative features, family tents, wooden roundabout construction, CNC log walling, VVIP access structures, technical hiders, camera platforms, cable cladding, safety infrastructure, delivery and installation.

Ideas festivals need environments that encourage conversation, discovery and collaboration among audiences with different interests and backgrounds. For the 2019 Ideas Festival at NYU Abu Dhabi, Tamkeen commissioned Evolution Scenic to create an engaging event environment centred on culture, knowledge and innovation.

The festival welcomed adults, teenagers and young professionals while providing a platform for thinkers, innovators and influencers from the UAE, the GCC and beyond.

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated large-scale artistic installations combining geometric timber structures with vibrant graphics. Multi-functional scenic spaces were also created for discussions, workshops and networking activities.

The Challenge

The event environment needed to appeal to a broad audience while supporting several different forms of participation. Discussions, workshops, networking and informal interaction each required spaces suited to their specific purpose.

The scenic design also needed to communicate Abu Dhabi’s identity as a modern, knowledge-driven capital while celebrating UAE culture and the city’s growing role as a centre for creativity and innovation.

These ideas had to be translated into visually distinctive structures without limiting the flexibility required by the festival programme.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated large-scale art installations using geometric timber structures and vibrant applied graphics.

The combination of three-dimensional forms and bold graphic treatments created a recognisable visual identity for the festival while expressing themes of culture, knowledge and innovation.

Versatile scenic elements were produced to support discussions, workshops and networking activities. These multi-functional environments enabled the event programme to accommodate different formats and audience groups within a coordinated setting.

Thematic features inspired by UAE culture and Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre for knowledge and creativity were incorporated throughout the scenic approach.

Detailed fabrication and high-quality finishing ensured the individual installations formed a polished and immersive environment across the festival.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the Ideas Festival
• Installation at NYU Abu Dhabi
• Large-scale artistic installations
• Geometric timber structures
• Vibrant applied graphics
• Multi-functional festival spaces
• Discussion environments
• Workshop areas
• Networking spaces
• Design for adults and younger audiences
• Integration of UAE cultural themes
• Visual storytelling around knowledge and innovation
• Detailed scenic fabrication
• High-quality finishes
• Venue installation

Outcome

The completed environment supported a varied programme of discussions, workshops and networking while giving the festival a strong visual identity.

Large-scale geometric installations and colourful graphics created distinctive focal points throughout the venue. Flexible scenic spaces allowed different audience groups to participate in the festival’s activities and connect with one another.

Through considered design, specialist timber fabrication and detailed finishing, Evolution Scenic created an environment that reflected the festival’s focus on culture, creativity and knowledge sharing.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic design, large-scale art installations, geometric timber fabrication, graphic integration, multi-functional event spaces, cultural features, finishing and venue installation.

Transforming an open site into a complete entertainment destination requires scenic production to operate at an exceptional scale. For Diriyah Season 2019, the Diriyah Oasis Festival transformed a 130,000-square-metre car park into a fully functioning entertainment hub comprising four major festival zones.

Delivered within an intensive 90-day programme, the destination welcomed more than one million visitors during its two-month run. Evolution Scenic worked alongside local scenic providers to translate creative concepts into immersive environments, large-scale scenic elements, bespoke landscaping and illuminated installations.

The project required coordinated delivery across a vast site, combining specialist fabrication with local collaboration, logistical management and consistent quality control.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was the scale and speed of delivery. A 130,000-square-metre car park needed to become an operational entertainment destination containing four distinctive festival zones within 90 days.

Each zone required its own immersive visual environment while remaining part of the wider Diriyah Oasis identity. Scenic structures, custom props, landscaping, flooring and lighting all needed to be coordinated across the extensive venue.

Delivering this volume of work required Evolution Scenic to collaborate with and manage multiple local scenic providers. The combined teams needed to work efficiently while maintaining consistent fabrication, finishing and installation standards across every zone.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic translated the creative concepts into practical scenic-delivery requirements for the four principal festival zones.

Large-scale scenic elements and custom props were fabricated to establish the individual character of each environment. Bespoke landscaping and flooring treatments helped transform the original car park into a more complete and engaging visitor destination.

Illuminated scenic installations and wider lighting solutions introduced colour, energy and atmosphere across the site, supporting both the visual identity of the zones and the festival’s evening operation.

Evolution Scenic worked closely with local scenic providers, coordinating their specialist capabilities with its own team and overseeing delivery across the project. This multi-company approach enabled production to scale in response to the size of the build while maintaining common quality expectations.

Logistics and installation were managed across all four festival zones, allowing multiple workstreams to progress within the demanding 90-day programme.

Delivery Highlights

• Transformation of a 130,000-square-metre car park
• Intensive 90-day delivery programme
• Four major festival zones
• Immersive scenic environments
• Large-scale scenic fabrication
• Custom props
• Bespoke landscaping
• Festival flooring treatments
• Illuminated scenic installations
• Coordinated lighting solutions
• Management of local scenic providers
• Multi-company production collaboration
• Site-wide logistics and installation
• Two-month public operation
• More than one million visitors

Outcome

Diriyah Oasis opened as the entertainment hub of Diriyah Season 2019 and welcomed more than one million visitors during its two-month operation.

The four completed festival zones transformed the original car park into a varied and visually engaging destination. Scenic fabrication, landscaping, flooring and illuminated features gave each area its own identity while contributing to the atmosphere of the wider festival.

By coordinating multiple local providers and managing simultaneous workstreams across a substantial site, Evolution Scenic delivered the large-scale scenic package within the 90-day programme. The project demonstrated the company’s ability to scale its delivery model for complex festival environments in Saudi Arabia.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic development, large-scale fabrication, custom props, landscaping, flooring, illuminated installations, local-provider management, logistical coordination and site-wide installation.

Seasonal activations at major public destinations require scenic environments that are immediately recognisable, highly immersive and capable of engaging visitors across a wide range of ages. For XMAS @ EXPO in December 2021, Evolution Scenic helped transform Expo 2020 Dubai into a large-scale festive destination through themed scenic fabrication, interactive family experiences and illuminated installations.

The scope included a 20-metre Christmas tree, custom marketplace chalets, giant nutcracker figures, a festive transformation of the Opti-Robot, Santa’s House, an Elf Workshop, activity zones and atmospheric lighting. Because installation took place while Expo 2020 was open to the public, Evolution Scenic’s scenic team also worked in custom elf uniforms, turning the build process itself into part of the visitor experience.

The Challenge

XMAS @ EXPO required a major festive transformation to be delivered within an operational Expo environment.

The scenic package needed to create a strong Christmas identity across multiple installations while supporting both visual spectacle and interactive family activity. Large-scale decorative elements, themed architecture, workshop spaces and activity zones all had to contribute to one consistent festive environment.

A further challenge was that installation took place during the live operating period of Expo 2020. The scenic team therefore needed to work within a public-facing environment where visitors could see the build progressing.

Rather than allowing the installation process to feel separate from the activation, the team adopted custom Santa’s elf uniforms, helping integrate the on-site build into the wider festive experience.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic delivered a coordinated package of themed scenic fabrication and immersive installations across the festive environment.

A major focal point was the 20-metre Christmas tree, establishing a strong visual landmark within the activation.

A festive boulevard and marketplace were created using custom-built chalets designed to house seasonal treats and merchandise. These structures helped establish the character of a traditional Christmas market while providing practical spaces for vendors and visitors.

Large decorative scenic features included giant nutcracker figures positioned at the entrance, creating a clear arrival moment. The existing Opti-Robot was also transformed for the season through the addition of reindeer antlers, bringing a familiar Expo feature into the Christmas theme.

Santa’s House and the Elf Workshop were developed as immersive environments with animated workshop scenes and themed characters, creating a more narrative-driven visitor experience.

Additional activity areas supported family participation through features including a climbing wall, festive crafts and seasonal storytelling sessions.

Warm lighting was integrated across the installations to strengthen the atmosphere and visually connect the different scenic environments after dark.

During installation, Evolution Scenic’s scenic team worked in custom elf uniforms. Visitors regularly stopped to photograph and film the team at work, turning the build process into an unexpected element of the activation and generating strong social media engagement.

Delivery Highlights

• Festive scenic production for XMAS @ EXPO.
• Installation at Expo 2020 Dubai.
• 20m-high Christmas tree.
• Custom-built festive marketplace chalets.
• Christmas boulevard environment.
• Giant nutcracker entrance figures.
• Festive transformation of the Opti-Robot.
• Custom reindeer antlers.
• Immersive Santa’s House.
• Themed Elf Workshop.
• Animated workshop scenes.
• Interactive family activity areas.
• Climbing wall.
• Festive craft activities.
• Seasonal storytelling areas.
• Integrated warm scenic lighting.
• Installation undertaken while Expo 2020 remained operational.
• Custom elf uniforms for the Evolution Scenic installation team.
• Strong visitor and social media engagement during the build.

Outcome

XMAS @ EXPO transformed the wider Expo environment into a recognisable festive destination combining large-scale scenic landmarks, themed architecture and interactive family experiences.

The Christmas tree, marketplace, nutcrackers, Santa’s House and Elf Workshop created the primary visual and narrative elements, while activity zones and lighting extended the experience beyond static decoration.

The live installation process also became part of the activation itself. With the scenic team dressed as elves while working in front of visitors, the build attracted significant attention, with guests stopping to take photographs and videos that were widely shared on social media.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver immersive seasonal environments within live public venues, where fabrication, installation, visitor interaction and operational constraints all need to be considered as part of the overall experience.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Themed scenic fabrication, festive structures, marketplace chalets, large-scale scenic features, Santa’s House, Elf Workshop, family activity environments, lighting integration, live-site installation and delivery.

Landmark national celebrations often demand scenic solutions that combine symbolism, spectacle and complex engineering. For the UAE’s 50th National Day at Hatta Dam, Evolution Scenic delivered one of the production’s most technically ambitious features: 100 telescopic replicas of iconic UAE buildings designed to rise from the stage in synchronised formation during the climax of the performance.

Designed by Es Devlin and produced by LarMac Live, the wider production used the dramatic mountain landscape and a floating stage within an artificial pool as part of the visual narrative. Evolution Scenic’s contribution focused on transforming architectural references into compact, illuminated scenic structures capable of concealed storage, controlled vertical movement and precise repeatability under challenging outdoor conditions.

The Challenge

The project required 100 individual building replicas to rise from the stage as part of a tightly choreographed performance sequence.

The scenic elements needed to represent different architectural forms and heights while remaining compact enough to disappear within the stage when not in use. Some structures exceeded 6 metres in their fully extended position but had to fit into concealed spaces as small as approximately 1.2 metres by 20 centimetres.

Movement also had to remain reliable in an exposed mountain environment affected by wind and humidity. With all 100 elements forming part of a single performance moment, consistency and synchronisation were critical.

The structures also had to integrate lighting without adding unnecessary visual or mechanical complexity, while maintaining enough structural integrity to operate repeatedly throughout rehearsals and live performance.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated 100 telescopic lightbox buildings based on iconic UAE architecture.

Each structure was developed as a self-illuminated scenic element with individually controlled LED lighting, allowing the building forms to remain visually legible as three-dimensional objects when viewed from the audience.

The buildings were engineered with up to four telescopic tiers, allowing different overall heights to be achieved while preserving the compact storage requirements beneath the stage.

Telescopic tower machines and heavy-duty industrial tracks were used to create the required vertical movement. The mechanisms were selected and integrated to support repeated operation within the environmental conditions at Hatta Dam.

The internal lighting systems were coordinated so that all 100 scenic structures could be controlled as part of the wider performance sequence. This allowed lighting changes and movement to work together during the final reveal.

A major part of the engineering challenge was packaging. Structures extending beyond 6 metres in height had to retract into extremely limited concealed volumes without compromising alignment, movement or the final scenic appearance.

The resulting system combined scenic fabrication, mechanical movement, structural planning and integrated illumination within a highly compact footprint.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic engineering for the UAE’s 50th National Day celebration.

• Event staged at Hatta Dam.

• Design by Es Devlin.

• Production by LarMac Live.

• 100 telescopic replicas of iconic UAE buildings.

• Fully illuminated scenic lightbox structures.

• Individually controlled LED lighting.

• Up to four telescopic tiers per structure.

• Building heights exceeding 6m when fully extended.

• Compact concealed storage conditions.

• Telescopic tower mechanisms.

• Heavy-duty industrial tracks.

• Synchronised vertical movement.

• Integrated lighting control across all 100 structures.

• Scenic fabrication developed for exposed outdoor conditions.

• Operation within high wind and humid conditions.

• Precision integration into the stage environment.

• Large-scale scenic engineering and installation.

Outcome

The telescopic buildings formed one of the defining visual moments of the 50th UAE National Day production.

As the 100 illuminated structures rose from the stage in synchronisation, they created a symbolic representation of the country’s architectural development, achievements and progress over five decades.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to engineer large quantities of moving scenic elements where compact packaging, structural integrity, repeatable motion, integrated lighting and outdoor environmental conditions must all be resolved together.

It also highlights the role of scenic engineering in major live ceremonies, where complex mechanical systems must ultimately disappear behind a clear and powerful visual moment for the audience.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic engineering, telescopic building fabrication, mechanical integration, lightbox construction, LED integration, compact scenic packaging, structural coordination, delivery and installation.

Es Devlin – Production design.

LarMac Live – Production.