Large-scale ceremonies often depend on a single scenic moment in which engineering, movement and visual storytelling come together. For the Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony in Dubai, Evolution Scenic was commissioned by Five Currents LLC to produce a giant gold ring inspired by the event’s iconic Expo rings.

Suspended from Al Wasl Dome, the structure concealed integrated water tanks and technical systems that transformed it into a dramatic rain curtain during the live performance. Flown 20 metres above the stage, the installation combined scenic fabrication, aerial engineering and water effects to create a defining moment within the closing ceremony.

The Challenge

The conceptual design required a visually elegant gold ring that could also operate as a technically complex performance element. Water tanks and associated systems needed to be concealed within the structure without compromising its appearance or the clarity of its circular form.

The completed ring had to be flown 20 metres above the stage and integrated securely with the existing rigging system at Al Wasl Dome. Its weight, structural behaviour and operating requirements therefore needed to meet the stringent safety standards associated with an aerial installation positioned above a live performance environment.

The rain-curtain effect also needed to activate smoothly and reliably at the correct moment during the ceremony. This required precise technical coordination and extensive testing before the live event.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic translated the conceptual design into a fabricated scenic structure capable of supporting both the artistic and technical requirements of the performance.

The giant ring was engineered to accommodate concealed water tanks and the systems needed to produce the rain-curtain effect. These components were integrated within the structure, allowing the ring to maintain a refined exterior appearance before transforming during the live sequence.

High-quality materials and a carefully executed gold finish gave the structure the visual presence required beneath Al Wasl Dome. The fabrication also provided the structural integrity necessary for the ring to be flown safely above the stage.

The aerial installation was developed to align with the dome’s rigging system and meet the safety requirements governing suspended scenic elements. Extensive testing was conducted before the event to verify the structure, water systems and rain-curtain operation.

Delivery Highlights

• Giant scenic gold ring inspired by the Expo rings
• Translation of the conceptual design into a functional structure
• Integrated water tanks
• Concealed rain-curtain systems
• Aerial scenic engineering
• Installation 20 metres above the stage
• Integration with the Al Wasl Dome rigging system
• Structural development for a suspended installation
• High-quality scenic materials
• Refined gold finish
• Extensive pre-event testing
• Live rain-curtain activation
• Delivery for the Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony

Outcome

The completed gold ring served as a dramatic centrepiece of the Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony. Its transformation into a rain curtain introduced an unexpected visual effect that combined the familiar Expo ring form with live performance technology.

The installation operated successfully while suspended 20 metres above the stage, demonstrating the importance of detailed fabrication, secure rigging integration and comprehensive pre-event testing.

By combining scenic craftsmanship, structural engineering and concealed water systems, Evolution Scenic delivered a technically complex aerial feature that contributed to the ceremony’s memorable conclusion.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Technical development, structural engineering, scenic fabrication, integrated water tanks, rain-curtain systems, gold finishing, aerial-installation coordination and testing.

Charitable gala environments must create a sense of occasion while ensuring that production decisions remain proportionate to the event’s philanthropic purpose. Organised by ITP Media Group and Sawtouna, the Abu Dhabi Dream Ball supports voluntarism, the empowerment of women and children and other meaningful causes through philanthropy and leadership.

For the 2020 event, Evolution Scenic delivered an elegant, cost-conscious scenic environment comprising a custom ballroom stage, branded media backdrops, a red-carpet arrival area and gallery displays for auction items.

The different spaces were designed to work together as one guest journey, extending from the pre-function and media areas through to the main ballroom.

The Challenge

The event required a sophisticated setting that reflected the importance of its charitable mission while remaining within defined budget constraints.

Several functions needed to be accommodated across the venue. The main ballroom required a focal point for speeches and performances, while the pre-function area needed to operate as both a guest-arrival space and the principal media zone.

Auction displays, photography backdrops and indoor and outdoor gallery elements also needed to be integrated into the environment without fragmenting the event’s visual identity.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and delivered a bespoke stage for the main ballroom. Event branding was incorporated into the scenic treatment, creating a clear focal point for speeches, presentations and performances.

Custom media and photography backdrops were fabricated to provide consistent branded settings for guest imagery and press coverage.

The pre-function area was styled as a welcoming arrival environment that also served as the main media zone. A red carpet established the formal entrance route, while gallery displays presented auction items to arriving guests.

Indoor and outdoor gallery elements were coordinated as part of the wider scenic layout, connecting the different event areas and maintaining a consistent visual treatment across the venue.

Evolution Scenic worked closely with the project stakeholders to prioritise the elements that contributed most directly to the guest experience while respecting the event’s charitable budget.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for a charitable gala
• Bespoke main-ballroom stage
• Integrated event branding
• Setting for speeches and performances
• Custom media backdrops
• Branded photography backgrounds
• Pre-function arrival environment
• Dedicated media zone
• Red-carpet installation
• Gallery displays for auction items
• Indoor gallery elements
• Outdoor gallery elements
• Multi-area scenic coordination
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Delivery within charitable budget constraints 

Outcome

The completed environment provided an elegant and purposeful setting for the Abu Dhabi Dream Ball’s guests, donors and stakeholders.

The branded ballroom stage supported the formal programme, while the pre-function area created a clear arrival experience and provided an effective setting for media activity. Auction displays gave charitable items appropriate visibility throughout the guest journey.

By coordinating the ballroom, media and gallery areas within the available budget, Evolution Scenic delivered a cohesive gala environment that supported the event’s philanthropic purpose.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Stage design, scenic fabrication, integrated branding, media and photography backdrops, red-carpet arrival area, auction gallery displays and multi-area installation.

Awards ceremonies require scenic environments that give the formal programme an appropriate sense of scale while guiding guests through arrival, nominee recognition and the main presentation.

In October 2022, DMG Events and ADNOC hosted the 12th edition of the ADIPEC Awards at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Attended by more than 600 energy-sector leaders, the ceremony recognised outstanding contributions across the industry.

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated a 42-metre-wide main stage, a pre-function nominee showcase, branded photography walls, a circular screen feature and programmable table centrepieces.

The Challenge

The awards environment needed to reflect the importance of the occasion while supporting a seamless experience for more than 600 guests.

The main stage required sufficient scale for the Emirates Palace setting and needed to integrate scenery, branding and programmable lighting into one cohesive design.

Nominees also needed to be recognised before guests entered the principal ceremony space. This required a dedicated pre-function environment with clear storytelling, branding and photography opportunities.

Visual consistency had to continue from the nominee showcase to the stage and individual guest tables, ensuring that every part of the awards journey felt connected.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated a custom main stage measuring 42 metres across. Scenic architecture, integrated branding and programmable lighting were combined to create a dynamic setting for the awards programme.

A circular branded screen was positioned behind the lectern as a focal feature within the stage composition. Its form complemented the wider scenic design and provided a consistent background for speakers and presentations.

In the pre-function area, Evolution Scenic created a dedicated showcase presenting the award nominees. Branded photography walls were incorporated to support guest engagement, official imagery and media coverage.

Interactive table centrepieces with programmable lighting were produced for the dining environment. Their lighting behaviour was coordinated with the event branding and wider visual effects, extending the production identity from the stage to the guest tables.

The spatial layout and scenic features were planned as a connected journey, guiding attendees from the pre-function nominee experience into the principal awards environment.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the 12th ADIPEC Awards
• Event environment for more than 600 guests
• Installation at Emirates Palace
• 42-metre-wide bespoke stage
• Integrated scenic architecture
• Programmable stage lighting
• Integrated event branding
• Circular screen behind the lectern
• Pre-function nominee showcase
• Branded photography walls
• Media and guest photography settings
• Interactive table centrepieces
• Programmable centrepiece lighting
• Coordinated guest journey
• Scenic fabrication and venue installation

Outcome

The completed scenic environment established a consistent visual identity across the ADIPEC Awards’ pre-function, ceremony and dining areas.

The 42-metre stage provided the scale and presence required for the formal programme, while the circular screen created a distinctive setting for speakers and award presentations.

The nominee showcase gave finalists dedicated visibility before the ceremony, and the programmable table centrepieces extended the event’s visual language throughout the guest environment.

Through coordinated scenic fabrication, branding and spatial planning, Evolution Scenic delivered an awards setting suited to the programme, audience and Emirates Palace venue.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Stage design and fabrication, scenic architecture, integrated branding, circular screen feature, nominee showcase, photography walls, programmable centrepieces, spatial planning and venue installation.

Luxury product launches require environments where every scenic element reinforces the identity of the brand and the product being introduced. From the main focal point to the surrounding finishes, the physical environment becomes part of how guests experience the launch.

For the Victoria’s Secret Perfume Launch in Dubai, Evolution Scenic designed and delivered an immersive boutique activation centred around the visual identity of the new fragrance.

Bespoke perfume bottle-shaped video walls, branded scenic features, decorative backdrops, projections and soft drapery transformed the boutique for the launch. The experience extended beyond the physical retail environment with a branded projection on the Burj Khalifa for the exclusive launch night, before the activation opened to the wider public over the weekend.

The Challenge

The project required the existing boutique to be transformed into a distinctive launch environment while maintaining the premium character associated with Victoria’s Secret.

The fragrance needed a strong visual focal point that could immediately connect the physical environment with the product, while signage, backdrops, projection and decorative treatments needed to work together as one cohesive brand experience.

The activation also had to accommodate different audiences, beginning with an exclusive launch for media and influencers before transitioning into a public-facing experience over the weekend without losing the quality or character of the original installation.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic developed the activation around a series of bespoke scenic elements inspired directly by the fragrance and its visual identity.

The centrepiece was a collection of custom-shaped video walls fabricated in the silhouette of the perfume bottle. By translating the product form into a large-scale scenic feature, the displays created an immediate connection between the fragrance and the launch environment while providing a platform for digital content.

Branded signage, decorative backdrops and graphic projections were integrated throughout the boutique to extend the visual identity beyond the central installation. Soft, flowing drapery introduced additional texture and helped create a more immersive and refined setting.

For the exclusive launch night, a Victoria’s Secret brand projection was coordinated on the Burj Khalifa, extending the activation beyond the boutique and creating a high-visibility moment for the launch.

The scenic environment remained in place for the public activation over the weekend, allowing a wider audience to experience the launch environment.

Delivery Highlights

• Luxury fragrance launch environment
• Bespoke scenic fabrication
• Perfume bottle silhouette video walls
• Custom-shaped digital display structures
• Branded scenic elements
• High-end event signage
• Decorative branded backdrops
• Graphic projection integration
• Soft drapery installation
• Boutique transformation
• Burj Khalifa brand projection
• Media and influencer launch environment
• Weekend public activation
• Retail brand experience

Outcome

The completed activation transformed the Victoria’s Secret boutique into an immersive environment built around the identity of the new fragrance.

The perfume bottle-shaped video walls created a distinctive centrepiece, while branded scenic elements, drapery and projection extended the visual language throughout the space. The Burj Khalifa projection provided an additional high-profile moment for the exclusive launch night, while the weekend activation enabled the experience to reach the wider public.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver luxury brand activations where bespoke fabrication, digital integration, scenic finishing and brand identity combine to create a cohesive physical experience.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic design, bespoke fabrication, custom video wall structures, branded scenic elements, decorative backdrops, drapery, projection integration and installation.

Scenic elements for live performance must do more than establish a visual world.

When performers interact directly with scenery, every structure must balance creative intent with movement, durability and performance functionality.

For Terhal by Dragone in Diriyah, Riyadh, Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated a collection of movable scenic elements inspired by traditional Saudi environments. The scope included authentic market carts engineered to become parkour obstacles and a custom land-based abra combining traditional Arabian boat styling with a self-powered buggy system.

Working across engineering, fabrication and scenic finishing, the team developed performance-ready structures that contributed to the visual identity of the production while responding to the physical demands of live acrobatic performance.

The Challenge

The scenic elements needed to appear authentic within the cultural world of the production while functioning as active pieces of performance equipment.

The market carts needed to support parkour sequences, requiring robust construction and controlled mobility.

At the same time, the custom Arabian boat needed to move independently across the performance space while retaining the appearance and character of a traditional abra.

Rehearsals introduced additional considerations. The uneven, sand-like performance flooring affected the movement of the carts, while the buggy boat required responsive braking and manoeuvrability for controlled positioning during the show.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic combined engineering, fabrication and specialist scenic finishing to develop each element around both its visual and performance requirements.

A collection of Saudi street market carts was designed and fabricated to serve simultaneously as scenic props and parkour obstacles. Their construction needed to withstand repeated interaction with performers while remaining movable during the production.

Following rehearsals on the sand-like flooring, the caster configuration was adapted with manual braking systems, improving control and allowing the carts to be positioned more effectively during performance.

For the show's custom land-abra, Evolution Scenic fabricated a traditional Arabian boat around a self-powered buggy platform. The structure incorporated a functional steering tiller and rustic scenic treatment, concealing the underlying mobility system within an authentic-looking scenic piece.

The braking system was also refined during rehearsals to provide the controlled movement and accurate stage positioning required for live operation.

Delivery Highlights

• Saudi street market cart fabrication
• Performance-ready parkour obstacles
• Movable scenic structures
• Custom land-based Arabian abra
• Self-powered buggy system
• Functional steering tiller
• Rustic scenic finishing
• Engineering for live acrobatic performance
• Caster wheel adaptations
• Manual braking systems
• Rehearsal-led technical adjustments
• Integrated engineering, fabrication and scenic finishing

Outcome

The completed scenic elements became active components of the Terhal performance rather than static pieces of scenery. Market carts supported physical parkour sequences, while the custom land-abra introduced a mobile theatrical feature that combined traditional visual references with concealed mechanical functionality.

By responding to challenges identified during rehearsals and adapting the structures for the performance environment, Evolution Scenic delivered robust, controllable and visually convincing scenic elements capable of meeting the demands of a live production.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic's ability to integrate creative fabrication with practical engineering, particularly where scenery must move, carry performers or interact directly with choreography.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic engineering, bespoke prop fabrication, structural development, mobility systems, performance adaptations, scenic finishing and rehearsal-led modifications.

Structural Calculations Explained

Structural calculations often sit quietly behind the scenes of scenic projects. Clients, agencies and visitors rarely see them, yet they can influence almost every significant decision made during design, fabrication and installation.

Many scenic structures appear relatively straightforward once complete. A feature wall may seem to be a simple vertical surface. A stage set may look like a collection of decorative forms, while a parade float might appear to be a lightweight scenic composition fixed to a vehicle.

Behind the finished surfaces, however, engineers, designers and fabrication teams are often resolving a far more complex set of questions. They must determine how the structure will carry its own weight, how it will respond to people, equipment and environmental forces, and how it can be transported, assembled and operated safely.

Structural calculations are therefore not simply documents produced to prove that something will remain standing. They are practical tools that help turn ambitious creative ideas into safe, efficient and buildable scenic structures.

Understanding How Forces Move Through a Structure

One of the most important principles in structural engineering is the load path. A load path describes how force travels through a structure until it reaches a stable supporting point, such as the floor, a foundation, a vehicle chassis or an approved venue connection.

For example, the weight of a large scenic feature may pass through its decorative skin into a secondary framework, then into a primary steel structure and finally down through base plates into the floor. Every connection along that route must be capable of transferring the required force safely.

This can become particularly important in scenic fabrication, where the visible shape of a structure may not follow conventional architectural forms. Curved walls, cantilevered features, suspended elements and oversized sculptural components can create unusual load paths that require careful analysis.

A structure may appear substantial from the outside while relying on a relatively lightweight internal framework. Alternatively, an apparently simple scenic wall may require significant concealed steelwork because of its height, shape or exposure to wind.

Understanding the load path early allows the engineering and fabrication teams to identify where reinforcement is genuinely required, rather than simply adding unnecessary material throughout the structure.

Dead Loads and the Weight of the Build

Dead load is the permanent weight of the structure itself. In scenic construction, this may include structural steel, timber framing, plywood, aluminium, CNC-machined components, scenic finishes, LED screens, lighting equipment, graphics, cladding and any permanently attached mechanical elements.

Dead loads can accumulate quickly. A decorative finish that appears relatively light across a small sample can add considerable weight when applied over hundreds of square metres. Screens, suspended lighting features and specialist cladding systems may also introduce concentrated loads that must be allowed for within the supporting framework.

Managing dead load is especially important for temporary structures because weight affects more than structural performance. It also influences transport, lifting operations, installation labour, vehicle capacity and the speed at which the structure can be assembled.

Reducing weight does not necessarily mean reducing strength. A well-developed design may use aluminium instead of steel in selected areas, hollow fabricated sections instead of solid forms, or CNC-cut ribs to create volume without excessive mass.

Structural calculations help the team understand where weight can be removed safely and where additional material is essential.

Live Loads and Public Interaction

Live loads are forces that may change during the use of a structure. These can include people, movable equipment, performers, furniture, temporary displays, stored materials and operational loads introduced during maintenance or installation.

For a scenic stage, live loads may come from performers, stage equipment, scenic props, cameras or mobile platforms. An exhibition pavilion may need to support visitors leaning against counters, interacting with displays or gathering within particular areas.

Public-facing scenic structures require particular care because people do not always interact with them in the way originally intended. Visitors may lean against walls, sit on plinths, climb onto low-level features or gather around popular installations.

Structural calculations allow these possibilities to be considered in advance. They help the project team determine suitable safety factors, connection details and reinforcement requirements without compromising the visual design.

This is particularly important when a scenic element looks solid or architectural. Its appearance can encourage people to treat it as a permanent structure, even when it has been designed as a temporary installation.

Wind Loading and Large Scenic Surfaces

Wind loading is one of the most influential considerations for outdoor scenic structures.

A large flat surface can behave like a sail, creating significant pressure on the supporting structure, connections and foundations. The taller and wider the surface becomes, the greater the potential force.

Wind does not only affect outdoor installations. It may also influence entrance features, structures positioned near open venue doors or temporary builds exposed during installation before the final enclosure is complete.

Parade floats present a particularly interesting example. A scenic element mounted on a moving vehicle may experience both natural wind and airflow created by the vehicle’s movement. Large decorative panels, elevated figures and lightweight cladding must therefore be designed to resist uplift, vibration and repeated movement.

Where possible, engineers and fabricators may reduce wind pressure by introducing openings, perforations or controlled airflow through the scenic form. In other cases, additional ballast, wider bases, structural outriggers or ground anchors may be required.

These decisions must be coordinated carefully with the visual concept. The aim is not to simplify the design unnecessarily, but to develop a safe structural solution that remains faithful to the creative intent.

Dynamic Loading and Moving Structures

Dynamic loads occur when forces change over time. Unlike a static load, which remains relatively constant, a dynamic load may be created by movement, acceleration, braking, vibration, impact or repeated operation.

Parade floats are a clear example. Their scenic structures must respond to cornering, changes in speed, uneven road surfaces and vibration from the vehicle platform. A component that performs well while stationary may behave very differently once the float begins moving.

Dynamic loading can also affect automated stage elements, rotating platforms, moving scenery and suspended features. Repeated movement may gradually loosen fixings or place stress on joints if the connections have not been designed appropriately.

Structural reviews for moving scenic structures therefore consider more than maximum weight. They assess how forces are introduced, how frequently the structure will move and how the build can be inspected throughout rehearsals and operation. Fabrication tolerances, locking systems, connection details and access for maintenance all become part of the engineering strategy.

Temporary and Permanent Structures

Temporary scenic structures are sometimes assumed to require less engineering than permanent construction. In practice, they can introduce a different set of challenges.

A temporary structure must often be assembled quickly, used intensively and dismantled within a short period. It may need to be installed without permanent foundations, transported in modular sections and adapted to venue restrictions.

Connections must therefore be strong but also practical to assemble. Components may need to fit within transport limits, pass through loading doors and be lifted using equipment available on site.

Temporary structures can also experience unusual conditions during installation. A tall feature wall may be stable once fully connected, but vulnerable while only partially assembled. The installation sequence must therefore be considered as part of the structural methodology.

Permanent structures may be designed for long-term environmental exposure, fatigue, maintenance and durability. Temporary structures, by contrast, require careful attention to repeated assembly, transportation damage and operational handling.

Neither approach is inherently simpler. The engineering strategy must reflect how the structure will actually be fabricated, transported, installed, used and removed.

Structural Calculations in Scenic Stages and Feature Structures

Large scenic stages often combine several structural systems within a single design. A stage may include primary steel frames, raised platforms, suspended scenic elements, LED screens, decorative façades, access stairs and technical equipment. Each system may introduce different loads and connection requirements.

Large feature structures present similar challenges. Their sculptural geometry may hide complex internal frameworks that must support cladding, lighting and secondary scenic finishes while remaining accessible for fabrication and installation.

Early structural coordination helps prevent situations where scenic finishes conflict with structural members or where critical connections become impossible to access on site.

It also allows the fabrication team to design modular sections around transport and lifting requirements. Rather than engineering the structure as one continuous object, the build can be divided into manageable units with clearly defined connection points.

This often produces a safer and more efficient installation without changing the finished appearance.

Exhibition Pavilions and Temporary Architecture

Exhibition pavilions can look architectural, but they are usually designed and fabricated within compressed programmes and strict venue conditions.

Structural calculations may need to consider tall walls, overhead features, suspended signage, integrated screens, hospitality spaces and areas of concentrated visitor movement.

Venue regulations can also influence the engineering approach. Floor loading limits, restricted fixing points, fire safety requirements and maximum build heights may all affect the structural design.

Because exhibition builds are temporary, the supporting structure is often concealed within joinery, cladding and graphic finishes. The challenge is to create sufficient structural strength without making the pavilion unnecessarily heavy or difficult to install.

Well-coordinated calculations allow the engineering solution to support the visual design rather than compete with it.

Engineering Approvals and Documentation

Structural calculations often form part of the approval process for venues, local authorities, event organisers and health and safety teams.

Depending on the project, the required documentation may include calculation reports, structural drawings, connection details, material specifications, foundation or ballast information and installation methodology.

For complex public structures, the engineering package may also require independent review or approval by a licensed structural engineer.

The approval process works best when engineering is introduced early. Attempting to calculate a fully developed design at the end of the process can lead to major revisions, particularly if the structure has not allowed space for bracing, connections or suitable foundations.

Early collaboration between creative designers, structural engineers and scenic fabricators helps identify these issues before they affect programme, cost or visual quality.

Structural Engineering as Part of Scenic Fabrication

For scenic fabricators, structural calculations are rarely treated as an isolated engineering exercise. They form part of a wider process that combines creative development, material knowledge, fabrication methodology, logistics planning and operational experience.

A calculation may confirm that a steel frame is strong enough, but the fabrication team must still determine whether it can be manufactured efficiently, transported within the available vehicle limits and assembled safely within the installation programme.

Similarly, a theoretically sound connection may need to be adjusted because it is inaccessible once the scenic finish is installed. A support system may require modification because the venue does not permit floor fixings, or because the structure must be dismantled and reused.

The strongest engineering solutions are therefore developed through collaboration. Structural performance, fabrication practicality and visual quality must be considered together.

Protecting Public Safety Without Restricting Creativity

Public safety is the central purpose behind structural calculations, but safety and creativity should not be viewed as opposing forces. Good engineering does not simply remove risk by making every structure heavier or more conservative. It identifies where the real risks are, then develops focused solutions that allow the creative concept to be delivered responsibly.

This may involve refining proportions, redistributing weight, improving the load path, introducing concealed bracing or selecting a more appropriate material. In some cases, a small adjustment made during technical development can prevent a much larger compromise later in the project.

At Evolution Scenic, structural calculations are understood as part of the creative realisation process. They provide the technical confidence required to fabricate ambitious stages, exhibition pavilions, parade floats and large-scale scenic structures safely.

The calculations may remain hidden once the installation is complete, but their influence can be seen in every element that fits together correctly, travels safely, installs efficiently and performs as intended.