Building a Climate Hub at Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University hosted its Climate Hub in Dubai during COP28 in 2023. Running across two weeks, the initiative required the university venue to support a changing programme of presentations, exhibitions and discussions while maintaining one consistent physical and visual identity.

Evolution Scenic was entrusted with the complete scenic scope. The work extended from the principal presentation space into the surrounding exhibition, lobby and circulation areas, creating a venue-wide environment rather than a single isolated stage installation.

The physical package included a custom stage, large scenic backdrop, freestanding exhibition walls, movable screens, display stands, directional signage, wayfinding and applied branding. Furniture and floral elements supplied by Evolution Furniture completed the occupied spaces and helped connect the functional and scenic requirements of the Climate Hub.

Each component needed to work within a different part of the existing university while still belonging to the same visual system. Materials, graphics, scenic construction and furniture were therefore coordinated to create continuity as visitors moved between arrival areas, circulation spaces, presentations and exhibitions.

Constructing the Main Presentation Stage

The principal presentation area was centred around a purpose-built plywood stage platform. Constructing the stage specifically for the Climate Hub created a defined presentation level within the existing university environment and established the physical base for the backdrop, screens, furniture and speaker activity.

Carpet was applied across the upper surface of the stage, creating the finished presentation floor and providing clear visual separation between the raised scenic environment and the surrounding venue. The restrained treatment allowed the branded backdrop and presentation content to remain the dominant features behind the speakers.

The stage formed part of the wider scenic composition rather than functioning as a standalone platform. Its relationship with the backdrop, movable television screens and furniture helped establish a complete presentation environment that could accommodate the changing programme across the two-week Climate Hub.

Using purpose-built scenic construction also allowed the presentation area to respond directly to the requirements of the temporary installation. The completed platform provided a controlled foundation around which the principal visual and functional elements could be arranged.

Fabricating the Printed Fabric Backdrop

A large scenic backdrop formed the architectural and visual anchor behind the main presentation stage. Its construction combined internal timber framing with MDF cladding before a printed fabric finish was installed across the visible surface.

The timber framework established the overall form of the wall, while the MDF created a consistent underlying surface for the textile treatment. This combination allowed the backdrop to function as a substantial scenic structure while presenting a clean and controlled face towards the audience.

Printed fabric carried the Climate Hub identity across a large uninterrupted area without dividing the backdrop into numerous separate graphic panels. The dark scenic surface incorporated Heriot-Watt branding and linear green graphic details, creating a strong visual field behind the carpeted stage and presentation furniture.

The finished wall operated simultaneously as temporary architecture and branding. Rather than placing graphics onto an existing venue surface, Evolution Scenic created a purpose-built scenic structure that established the physical character of the principal Climate Hub presentation environment.

Producing Freestanding Exhibition Walls

The scenic language established around the main stage continued into the wider Climate Hub through a series of self-supporting exhibition walls. These structures used the same principal construction method as the stage backdrop, combining timber framing, MDF cladding and printed fabric finishes.

Maintaining this common construction and finishing language helped connect spaces that served different purposes. Presentation areas, exhibition zones and circulation spaces could vary in function while still sharing the materials, surfaces and graphic treatment established by the main scenic installation.

The walls were developed as freestanding temporary structures within the existing university interior. This allowed the Climate Hub to create its own architectural boundaries and branded surfaces without relying on permanent alterations to the building.

Sustainability also formed part of the scenic brief. The freestanding wall system supported a temporary approach to construction, allowing the Climate Hub environment to be introduced within the university while maintaining the existing architecture as the permanent backdrop to the project.

Integrating Movable Screens and Display Stands

Visual content formed an important part of the Climate Hub programme, but the technical displays were not permanently embedded into the main scenic backdrop. Movable television screens with freestanding supports were positioned around the presentation area, allowing their placement to respond to different sessions and content requirements.

Keeping the screens independent from the rear wall preserved the continuity of the printed fabric backdrop. The large branded surface could remain visually uninterrupted while the displays provided the flexibility needed for presentations, discussions and changing programme formats.

Evolution Scenic also produced custom freestanding LED-screen stands for additional areas of the venue. Treating these supports as part of the scenic package allowed the technical displays to sit within purpose-built structures rather than appearing as unrelated equipment positioned around the Climate Hub.

The combination of movable displays and fabricated screen stands introduced flexibility without losing visual consistency. Technical content could be positioned where required while the surrounding scenic construction, branding and furniture maintained the wider identity of the temporary environment.

Manufacturing Signage and Wayfinding

The Climate Hub environment extended into the venue’s signage and wayfinding system. Directional structures were fabricated with internal steel frames, MDF cladding and vinyl graphics, combining a robust supporting construction with smooth branded surfaces.

Evolution Scenic also manufactured custom freestanding wooden signage stands finished with vinyl graphics. Their self-supporting format allowed identity and directional information to be positioned throughout the university without requiring permanent fixing into the existing architecture.

The smaller signage elements carried the same branded language as the larger scenic walls and stage environment. Colour, graphics and physical fabrication therefore remained connected even as the scale of the individual components changed.

This approach allowed the scenic identity to operate at both architectural and human scales. Large walls established the principal environments, while freestanding signs and directional features helped visitors move between the different areas of the Climate Hub without breaking the visual continuity of the installation.

Extending Branding Through the Venue

The Climate Hub identity continued beyond the principal presentation and exhibition rooms into the wider university environment. Evolution Scenic produced custom branding for the lobby counter, turning an existing arrival point into part of the temporary COP28 installation.

Additional graphic treatments were applied to elevator areas and selected exterior locations. Extending the branding into these circulation spaces meant the Climate Hub did not begin only when visitors entered the main room; its visual identity developed through the journey across the building.

The lobby counter became a particularly visible part of this arrival sequence, carrying large-format Heriot-Watt and COP28 graphics across the existing counter and surrounding presentation areas. This allowed an established architectural feature of the university to participate visually in the temporary environment.

Together, the lobby, elevator and exterior treatments connected the principal scenic spaces with the wider building. Applied graphics and purpose-built scenic structures worked alongside one another, extending the Climate Hub identity without requiring every area to contain large fabricated installations.

Coordinating Furniture and Florals

Evolution Furniture supplied the complete furniture setups and floral elements used throughout the Climate Hub. Seating and tables were arranged across the stage, discussion areas, lounge settings and supporting spaces, providing the functional infrastructure required for the changing programme.

White upholstered seating and smaller tables created a clear visual contrast against the darker printed scenic walls. This relationship helped the furniture remain visually distinct while still sitting comfortably within the broader scenic palette established by the backdrop, exhibition structures and branded surfaces.

Floral elements added a softer material layer to an environment otherwise dominated by plywood, MDF, timber framing, steel supports, printed fabric and graphic finishes. Their inclusion helped balance the harder fabricated components and contributed to the occupied character of discussion and lounge spaces.

Furniture and florals were coordinated alongside the scenic package rather than introduced as unrelated decorative additions. Bringing these disciplines together allowed presentation areas, lounges and discussion spaces to feel complete while retaining the same overall project identity.

Delivering Across a Tight Programme

The Climate Hub brought together several different fabrication and finishing processes within one temporary installation. Plywood stage construction, timber framing, MDF cladding, steel fabrication, printed textiles, vinyl graphics, technical display supports and furniture all needed to operate within a common visual framework.

Each production method served a different physical requirement. Timber and MDF created the large scenic walls, plywood provided the stage construction, steel supported directional structures, printed fabric established the principal branded surfaces and vinyl graphics extended the identity onto smaller signs and existing architectural elements.

The challenge was not simply to manufacture each component successfully, but to ensure that materials and finishes remained visually connected when distributed throughout the university. A visitor moving from the lobby into the presentation area and then through the exhibition zones needed to experience one coherent Climate Hub rather than a series of independent scenic packages.

Coordinating these systems during fabrication allowed individual trades and materials to contribute to the same environment. The result combined temporary architecture, graphics, technology and furniture without allowing any single discipline to feel disconnected from the wider scheme.

Completing the Temporary Environment

The Climate Hub scenic package involved several production processes taking place across multiple areas within an operating university environment. Workshop fabrication, graphic production, screen integration, furniture coordination, transportation and installation all needed to come together within a restricted delivery programme.

The main stage and printed backdrop formed the central installation, while exhibition walls, signage, screen stands and applied graphics were distributed throughout the wider building. Each element had its own physical requirements and final location, making accurate preparation important before the scenic package reached site.

Working within an existing institutional venue also required the temporary structures to respond to established architecture and circulation. Freestanding construction allowed the exhibition walls, signs and technical supports to establish the Climate Hub environment while remaining independent from the permanent building.

The completed installation demonstrates how detailed workshop preparation and coordinated production can support a project spread across several spaces rather than one concentrated event area. Different scenic components could be positioned according to their individual function while maintaining the visual relationship required across the complete venue.

Building a Coordinated Innovation Environment for AD Port Group

AD Port Group Innovation in Abu Dhabi required a complete temporary environment combining exhibition spaces, presentation infrastructure, branded scenic features and integrated technology. The different areas needed to operate as one coordinated installation while maintaining a consistent architectural and visual language throughout the venue.

Evolution Scenic handled the design, technical development, scenic fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig for the 2025 project. The principal scope included 16 custom exhibition booths, a 12-metre-wide main stage, a branded welcome wall with an illuminated logo, modular and illuminated branding elements, boat cladding and bleacher covers.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens and their supporting systems, while Evolution Furniture provided all furniture used throughout the project. This required coordination between screen positions, scenic walling, counters, storage units and furniture layouts so the technical and operational elements could be integrated cleanly into the fabricated environment.

The completed delivery brought the scenic, technical and furniture packages together as one temporary environment. Booth walling accommodated screens and cable access, counters and cabinets supported daily booth operations, while the stage, welcome feature, branding elements and specialist cladding extended the same scenic language across the wider project.

Developing Sixteen Custom Exhibition Booths

The principal exhibition environment comprised 16 custom booths arranged across several pavilion configurations. The layout needed to create a clear and consistent scenic identity while allowing individual booth areas to support different branding, screen content and operational requirements. Each booth was therefore developed as part of a wider exhibition system rather than as a standalone structure.

Six booths formed the right-side pavilion, while five were positioned within the left-side pavilion. Two back-to-back structures created a further four individual booth faces, making efficient use of the available floor area. One additional standalone booth was positioned close to the auditorium seating platform, extending the same scenic language into a separate part of the venue.

Thirteen of the booths measured three metres by three metres with an overall height of three metres. Three larger booths measured three metres by six metres and were also three metres high. Using these two standard footprints allowed the project to accommodate different spatial and operational requirements while maintaining consistent proportions across the exhibition environment.

The booth system also needed to support branding, digital displays, visitor interaction and concealed storage within the same compact footprint. Counters, screen positions and internal storage had to be integrated without disrupting the clean scenic appearance of the walls and portal features. This required careful coordination between the structural layout and the functional requirements of each booth.

Maintaining alignment between the platforms, wall lines and repeated architectural details was important to the overall composition. The consistent booth heights and shared construction language helped the different pavilion areas read as one coordinated temporary exhibition environment, while still allowing each booth to carry its own individual graphic identity.

Establishing a Repeatable Scenic Construction System

Custom plywood platforms formed the base of the exhibition booths and created a consistent foundation across the different pavilion areas. Carpet was installed across the platform surfaces to provide a clean finished floor within each booth. This also helped visually separate the fabricated exhibition spaces from the surrounding venue floor.

The booth walls were constructed using plywood internal framing clad with MDF. This combination provided the structural support required for the temporary scenic environment while creating smooth, uniform surfaces for the final finishes. The wall system could then be repeated across both the standard and larger booth configurations.

White paint was used as the principal scenic finish across the booth walling. Applied vinyl graphics introduced the individual branding and content required for each exhibitor without changing the underlying construction system. This allowed each booth to carry its own identity while remaining part of the same overall architectural language.

The repeated construction method could be adapted according to each booth’s operational requirements. Screen positions, graphic layouts, counters and storage elements changed between booths, while the internal framing, cladding and finishing principles remained consistent. This helped simplify fabrication while maintaining flexibility across the 16-booth environment.

Repeated wall proportions, portal forms and white scenic surfaces created visual continuity throughout the pavilions. Rather than appearing as a collection of unrelated exhibition stands, the booths read as one coordinated temporary architecture. The consistency of the underlying construction system supported both the practical build process and the overall scenic composition.

Integrating Screens, Counters and Storage

LED screens formed an important part of the exhibition environment and needed to be integrated directly into the scenic booth construction. Evolution Technical supplied the screens and their supporting systems, while Evolution Scenic coordinated the surrounding wall structures and screen positions.

Cable-management access was incorporated into every wall where a television screen was mounted. This allowed power, signal and technical connections to remain accessible while keeping the visible booth surfaces clear of loose cabling and unnecessary technical clutter.

The access provisions also allowed the screens to be installed, connected and checked without requiring the completed scenic walling to be dismantled. This helped maintain both the operational function of the technical equipment and the clean appearance of the finished booth interiors.

Every booth included a front counter with internal storage. These counters created a consistent visitor-facing frontage while providing concealed space for operational materials, equipment and general booth requirements.

The three larger booths also incorporated rear worktops with fitted storage cabinets. These additional joinery elements increased the practical working capacity of the wider booths while remaining integrated within the same scenic construction and finish language.

Configuring Pavilion and Back-to-Back Booth Layouts

The booth system needed to respond to several different spatial conditions while maintaining the same scenic language throughout the exhibition environment. The right- and left-side pavilions used repeated booth modules to create continuous elevations with consistent proportions and detailing.

Platform edges, wall lines, counter positions and repeated overhead features were kept visually aligned across the pavilion areas. This repetition helped establish a clear architectural rhythm and allowed the individual booths to read as part of one coordinated temporary structure.

The two back-to-back booth assemblies required a different layout approach. Each shared structure supported branding and booth functions on both sides, creating four individual booth faces from two central scenic constructions.

Freestanding branded totems were positioned within the back-to-back booths, while display tables were installed at the front to provide additional presentation surfaces. These elements supplemented the integrated counters without interrupting the shared wall arrangement.

The back-to-back configuration made efficient use of the available floor area while still allowing each booth face to retain its own graphic identity and visitor approach. The standalone booth near the auditorium seating platform followed the same three-metre-high scenic language, keeping it visually connected to the larger pavilion environment.

Constructing the Main Stage and Scenic Backdrop

Evolution Scenic fabricated a custom main stage measuring 12 metres wide by four metres deep. The stage formed the principal presentation area within the project and needed to provide a stable, finished platform that could coordinate cleanly with the scenic backdrop and technical screen systems.

A custom steel stage-deck system formed the primary supporting structure. Plywood decking was installed above the steel framework to create a continuous surface, before carpet was applied across the top to complete the visible stage finish.

This layered construction allowed each material to perform a specific function within the build. The steel deck provided the structural support, the plywood created a smooth and usable scenic substrate, and the carpet delivered the final presentation surface across the full stage area.

Comfort monitors were positioned along the front of the stage as part of the presentation setup. Their placement needed to be considered alongside the stage edge and scenic arrangement so that the technical equipment remained functional without disrupting the overall appearance of the presentation area.

The stage backdrop was fabricated from an internal timber-framed structure clad with MDF and finished with paint. The deck, backdrop and screen systems were coordinated as one presentation environment, helping the scenic and technical elements appear integrated rather than added as separate components.

Creating the Illuminated Welcome and Branding Features

The entrance environment incorporated a custom branded welcome wall that established a clear focal point within the project. The structure was fabricated from timber framing and clad with MDF, creating a smooth scenic surface suitable for the required graphic and lighting treatments.

Vinyl graphics were applied across the visible wall faces to introduce the project identity and maintain consistency with the wider exhibition environment. The scenic walling therefore worked as both a structural feature and a large-format branding surface within the entrance area.

A CNC-cut logo was integrated directly into the wall and illuminated from behind. The backlighting added depth and visibility to the logo, transforming it from a flat graphic element into a more dimensional scenic feature within the reception environment.

A custom counter with internal storage was positioned in front of the welcome wall. This provided a practical reception point while remaining visually connected to the surrounding scenic architecture and branded backdrop.

Illuminated branding panels and modular branding panels were also included within Evolution Scenic’s confirmed scope. These additional elements extended the visual identity beyond the main welcome feature and helped create a more consistent branded language across the wider temporary environment.

Fabricating Boat Cladding and Bleacher Covers

The boat cladding required a different construction approach from the prefabricated exhibition structures used elsewhere in the project. Rather than arriving as a completed freestanding scenic element, the cladding had to be developed directly around the existing boat and its installed position within the venue.

A plywood supporting structure was formed around the required area of the boat and then clad with MDF. This created the scenic surface needed for the final finish while allowing the structure to follow the shape and proportions of the existing feature more closely.

Vinyl graphics were applied across the completed MDF cladding to create the visible branded finish. The entire scenic assembly was fabricated on site, allowing the framework, cladding and graphics to be adjusted in response to the actual installation conditions rather than relying only on workshop measurements.

This site-based fabrication process required the structure to be measured, formed and finished around an existing object. It differed from the booth and stage packages, where a larger proportion of the scenic construction could be developed as repeatable fabricated components before installation.

Bleacher covers were also included within Evolution Scenic’s scope. These covers helped visually complete the auditorium seating infrastructure and allowed the bleacher area to sit within the same coordinated scenic language as the exhibition booths, stage and wider branding features.

Coordinating Scenic, Technical and Furniture Delivery

Three Evolution divisions contributed to the completed environment, each delivering a defined part of the project. Evolution Scenic handled the design, technical development, fabrication, graphics production, installation and de-rig, while the technical and furniture packages were coordinated alongside the scenic build.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens and their associated support systems. This required close coordination with the fabricated booth walls so that screen positions, supporting structures and cable routes could be accommodated without disrupting the finished scenic surfaces.

Evolution Furniture provided all furniture used throughout the project. Furniture layouts needed to work alongside the booth counters, storage areas, circulation routes and presentation spaces so that the operational use of each area remained practical within the temporary environment.

Coordination between the three packages was particularly important at the interfaces between scenic construction and technical equipment. Screen dimensions affected wall construction, cable routes influenced access provisions, and furniture placement needed to remain compatible with the booth layouts and visitor circulation.

The same approach applied to the main presentation area, where the stage structure, scenic backdrop, screens and comfort monitors needed to function as one coordinated system. Bringing the scenic, technical and furniture packages together helped maintain consistency across the exhibition booths, stage, entrance environment and auditorium areas.

Installing and Delivering the Complete Environment

Evolution Scenic handled the complete installation and subsequent de-rig of the project. The installation sequence needed to coordinate booth platforms, wall structures, counters, stage components, graphics, screens and furniture so that each package could be completed without disrupting the surrounding finished work.

Booth platforms and primary scenic walling were positioned before the final technical equipment and furniture were integrated. Painted, carpeted and vinyl-finished surfaces also needed to be protected during the remaining installation stages so that the completed scenic environment maintained a clean and consistent finish.

The boat cladding introduced an additional site requirement because its plywood support structure, MDF cladding and vinyl graphic finish were all produced at the venue. This required the scenic team to fabricate and finish the structure directly around the installed boat while working within the operational conditions of the site.

All installation and de-rig activities were completed in accordance with the client’s rules and the restrictions applying to the venue. The supplied project information does not confirm the installation programme, working hours, crew size, access routes or lifting requirements, so these details should not be described as confirmed project facts.

The completed environment brought together 16 exhibition booths, a custom steel-deck stage, painted scenic backdrops, integrated screens, storage counters, an illuminated welcome feature, modular branding, furniture and specialist cladding. Together, these elements created a coordinated temporary environment in which the exhibition, presentation and reception areas shared the same scenic construction and visual language.

Fabricating a Multi-Space Scenic Environment for Investopia 2023

Investopia 2023 took place at the Hilton in Abu Dhabi in March 2023. Hosted by the Ministry of Economy, the second edition of the two-day forum required a series of connected scenic environments rather than a single conventional conference stage. Each area needed to support a different function while maintaining a consistent visual and branding language across the venue.

Evolution Scenic delivered the scenic elements and custom fabrication across the main conference space, two secondary stages, the B2B meeting area, pre-function zones and the hotel’s outdoor terrace. The complete scope included a 21-metre-wide main stage, a six-metre-high circular logo structure, 35 custom meeting booths, two additional stages for breakout and press use, branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding scenic walls, interactive areas and bespoke elements for the gala dinner setting.

The project combined large-format scenic construction with repeated modular fabrication and smaller branded installations. From the principal stage and circular scenic structures to the meeting booths and pre-function features, each component was developed to perform a specific practical role within the wider conference environment.

By coordinating the fabrication and installation across multiple areas, Evolution Scenic created a unified physical setting that supported presentations, meetings, press activity, networking and evening hospitality within one consistent scenic system.

Establishing a Scenic Language Across the Venue

Each area within Investopia 2023 served a different operational purpose and therefore required its own scenic response. The main stage supported the largest presentations and established the principal visual identity for the project. The breakout and press stages provided smaller, function-specific environments, while the B2B area required a repeated system of custom meeting booths for one-to-one discussions.

The pre-function spaces introduced another layer of scenic fabrication through branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding walls and interactive installations. These elements supported interviews, media activity and promotional content while extending the visual identity beyond the main conference hall.

The outdoor terrace created a further change in scale and atmosphere, taking the scenic treatment from the hotel interior into an evening hospitality environment with raised platforms, circular scenic structures, branded flags, plinths, totems and ambient lighting. Evolution Scenic connected these different areas through repeated circular geometry, coordinated branding, reflective finishes and integrated illumination.

The circular form was most prominent within the main-stage centrepiece and the six-metre custom logo structure, but the same geometry was also carried into the secondary stages, illuminated branding elements and outdoor terrace installation. This repeated design language created continuity across the venue while allowing each space to retain the layout, scale and construction approach required for its specific function.

Constructing the 21-Metre Main Stage

The principal stage measured 21 metres across and was finished with carpet across the upper deck surface. Illuminated access steps were incorporated into the stage, with LED lighting integrated into the step fascias. These illuminated details defined the changes in level and connected the stage platform to the wider Investopia lighting scheme.

A complete circular scenic centrepiece formed the main three-dimensional feature within the stage composition. The structure was finished in white paint and supported by a steel framework positioned behind the visible scenic surface. Programmable lighting was integrated into the front fascia of the circular centrepiece, allowing the structure to respond to different presentation and lighting sequences throughout the programme. The combination of the white painted finish and controlled illumination gave the scenic form a clear physical presence alongside the digital content.

The circular geometry created a strong visual anchor across the 21-metre stage and established a design element that could be repeated within the breakout, press and pre-function environments.

A ramp was installed at the rear of the stage to provide an additional access route onto the platform. This allowed speakers, production personnel and other authorised users to enter the stage from behind the main presentation environment without relying solely on the audience-facing steps. Together, the carpeted stage deck, illuminated step fascias, white circular scenic structure, programmable lighting and rear access ramp created a functional conference platform with a consistent architectural identity.

Engineering the Six-Metre Circular Logo

The custom circular ring logo formed one of the project’s most substantial individual scenic fabrications. Standing six metres high, the structure functioned as a large three-dimensional scenic feature rather than a conventional sign or graphic panel. Its construction combined Styrofoam, gelcoat, metal square tubing and MDF cladding, with the completed surface finished in reflective silver metallic chrome.

The circular logo was installed on a platform measuring 9.7 metres long by 5.7 metres wide and 400 millimetres high. The platform was finished in black paint, creating a dark visual base beneath the reflective scenic structure. A 4.8-metre-diameter LED screen formed the clear visible centre of the six-metre ring. Positioned within the circular structure, the screen became the principal focal point of the scenic composition and allowed digital content to sit directly within the fabricated logo form.

The front fascia beneath the circular logo also incorporated LED screen content, extending the digital surface into the lower scenic structure and visually connecting the raised platform with the central display. The mixed construction allowed different materials to address separate requirements within the same scenic assembly. The metal square-tube structure contributed rigidity, while the Styrofoam, gelcoat and MDF cladding established the shaped visible form and prepared the structure for its reflective finish.

Circular accuracy was particularly important at this scale. The six-metre outer ring and the centrally positioned 4.8-metre LED screen needed to remain visually balanced, with consistent spacing around the full circumference. The reflective metallic finish also increased the importance of fabrication accuracy and surface preparation. Changes in curvature, joints or uneven areas would have been more visible under the surrounding stage and screen lighting than they would have been with a low-sheen painted finish.

Producing Thirty-Five Custom Meeting Booths

The B2B environment contained 35 custom meeting booths designed and fabricated for one-to-one discussions. Each booth was constructed around a painted metal frame, providing a consistent structural system across the full installation. The frames were clad in MDF and finished with vinyl branding across the lower wall sections.

The upper portion of each booth incorporated printed acrylic panels, introducing a lighter visual layer above the solid MDF construction. A circular MDF signboard was positioned at the top corner of each unit to identify the individual meeting booth.

The coordinated dark blue panel system, repeated branding positions and circular booth identifiers created a clear and organised meeting environment. The partitions defined each discussion area while maintaining visual continuity across the wider B2B space.

Cable-management provisions were incorporated into the rear wall of every booth, allowing power and data connections to be routed discreetly behind the scenic finishes. This helped keep the visible meeting areas clear while supporting the operational requirements of each position.

Producing 35 repeated units required controlled dimensions, consistent graphic placement and a planned assembly sequence. The combination of painted metal framing, MDF cladding, printed acrylic panels and integrated cable management allowed the booths to function as both branded scenic structures and practical meeting environments.

Supporting the Breakout and Press Environments

Evolution Scenic designed, fabricated and installed two additional stages for the breakout sessions and press conference programme. The first stage was constructed as a five-metre-diameter circular platform standing 300 millimetres high. The stage was finished with PVC flooring and incorporated LED lighting within the access steps. An acrylic lightbox logo was integrated into the front fascia, creating a clear illuminated branding feature at audience level.

An LED screen backdrop was positioned directly behind the stage, with freestanding acrylic logo lightbox totems installed on both sides of the screen. Together, the circular platform, illuminated fascia and freestanding scenic elements created a compact secondary environment that remained visually connected to the principal Investopia stage.

The second stage measured 4.8 metres by 2.4 metres and stood 150 millimetres high. It was finished with PVC flooring and included LED lighting at the stage corners. A press conference table arrangement was positioned on the platform to support interviews and media sessions.

An LED screen formed the backdrop directly behind the stage. On the opposite side of the platform, Evolution Scenic installed a three-metre-high angled scenic wall finished with vinyl branding. Although the two stages used different dimensions and layouts, consistent finishes, illuminated details and Investopia branding allowed the breakout and press environments to operate independently while remaining part of the same overall scenic system.

Creating the Pre-Function Scenic Features

The pre-function scope included branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding scenic walls and interactive areas for interviews, photography and promotional content. These elements extended the scenic treatment beyond the principal conference rooms and created a series of branded environments within the surrounding circulation spaces.

The TV studio backdrops were constructed around painted metal frames clad in MDF. The lower sections were finished with vinyl branding, while the upper portions incorporated acrylic sheets with printed vinyl logos. Door access was integrated into each enclosed studio area, allowing production personnel and authorised users to enter the space without interrupting the visible branded surfaces.

Evolution Scenic also produced 13 freestanding branded walls in a range of heights, including 2.4 metres, three metres and 3.6 metres. Each wall was finished with a high-resolution printed fabric banner, creating large-format branded surfaces across the pre-function area.

The variation in height created visual hierarchy while allowing the scenic walls to respond to different positions, sightlines and branding requirements. Together, the metal-framed studio backdrops, printed acrylic logo sections and fabric-finished freestanding walls created a coordinated series of scenic focal points around the main conference spaces.

Extending the Environment onto the Terrace

Evolution Scenic also delivered bespoke scenic elements for the gala dinner on the Hilton’s outdoor terrace. The principal feature consisted of three connected circular structures positioned on top of a raised platform. Each structure was fabricated from a steel frame clad in MDF, creating a rigid scenic form with a clean finished surface.

Radial metalwork extended through the centre of the circular composition, while an open circular focal point remained visible within the structure. This layered construction added depth without creating a fully enclosed scenic wall. The three circular structures were connected across the upper section, allowing them to read as one continuous architectural installation. Their repeated geometry extended the circular design language established throughout the Investopia environment.

Ambient lighting was incorporated around the terrace to emphasise the scenic forms and support the evening setting. The lighting highlighted the circular profiles, radial metalwork and raised platform after dark. Furniture arrangements, branded flags, plinths and freestanding totems were positioned throughout the terrace area. These elements extended the project branding beyond the central feature and created a coordinated scenic environment across the wider outdoor space.

Together, the steel-framed circular structures, radial metalwork, raised platform, ambient lighting and supporting branded elements created a sophisticated temporary environment for the evening programme.

Coordinating Installation Across Multiple Areas

The project required scenic installation across several rooms and operating environments within the same venue, with each area presenting different access, sequencing and coordination requirements.

The principal stage and two secondary stages needed to align with the wider technical production programme, while the 35 meeting booths required repeated installation across the B2B area. The pre-function scenic features occupied shared circulation spaces, requiring careful positioning so that the branded structures could be installed without disrupting the overall venue layout.

The outdoor terrace introduced a separate installation environment, with the raised platform, connected circular structures, branded elements, furniture and ambient lighting all requiring coordinated placement. A multi-space project of this scale depended on a controlled installation sequence. Larger scenic structures needed to be positioned before surrounding furniture, technical equipment and other production elements reduced access to the working areas.

The repeated meeting booths also required consistent spacing and alignment across the completed B2B environment. Coordinating the installation in this way allowed the main stage, secondary stages, meeting area, pre-function features and terrace elements to be delivered as one connected scenic environment.

Delivering a Cohesive Conference Environment

The completed Investopia installation connected several different physical settings through one consistent scenic identity. The 21-metre main stage provided the principal architectural environment, while the six-metre reflective circular logo introduced a large custom-fabricated focal point within the wider conference setting. The 35 meeting booths translated the same branding language into a repeated functional system designed for one-to-one discussions.

The two secondary stages, branded TV studio backdrops, freestanding scenic walls, interactive areas and outdoor terrace features extended the design language across the remainder of the venue. Although each area served a different purpose, repeated circular forms, coordinated finishes, branded surfaces and integrated lighting helped maintain visual continuity throughout the project.

The result demonstrates how scenic fabrication can support a conference environment at several different scales. Large sculptural structures establish visual presence, while stages, partitions, backdrops, meeting booths and supporting scenic elements organise the practical use of each space. By coordinating these individual components as one complete installation, Evolution Scenic created a multifunctional temporary environment that supported conference presentations, press activity, networking, meetings and evening hospitality within a unified scenic system.

Creating a Multi-Zone Scenic Environment for the Qudwa Teachers’ Forum

The Qudwa Teachers’ Forum was staged at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in 2017. The physical environment extended beyond a single conference stage, requiring a main auditorium, six breakout rooms inside the ballroom, three further breakout rooms elsewhere in the venue, corridor installations and furnished terrace areas.

Evolution Events worked from a client-supplied concept and coordinated the wider event delivery. Evolution Scenic was responsible for fabricating and installing the principal scenic elements that shaped the auditorium, breakout rooms and circulation spaces.

This distributed scope required a consistent scenic language that could operate at different scales. The main auditorium needed to function as the visual centre of the project, while each breakout room required a smaller but complete environment incorporating staging, branded walls and screen integration. The work therefore involved more than creating a single scenic backdrop. It required a temporary architectural system capable of extending through several parts of Emirates Palace.

Building the Main Auditorium

The auditorium package was organised around a fabricated stage deck and steps. Behind the stage, a black scenic backdrop provided a controlled visual field for the remaining scenic and technical components. A custom central surround integrated the venue’s main screen into the overall stage composition.

The venue screen was not supplied by Evolution Scenic or Evolution Technical. Scenic responsibility centred on the physical structure surrounding it and the way that structure connected visually with the stage, backdrop and adjacent display features.

Smaller side screens were supplied by Evolution Technical. These were integrated into scenic and graphic display surrounds fabricated by Evolution Scenic.

The arrangement required close coordination between the technical equipment and the surrounding construction. Openings and finished edges needed to align with the screen dimensions, while the scenic structures had to provide a clean visual interface without preventing technical installation or access.

Dimensional icon panels introduced physical depth across the backdrop. Unlike flat printed graphics, these elements created changes in relief and shadow, allowing the visual identity to become part of the constructed environment.

The lower stage area incorporated branded fascia and panel-session scenic structures. Custom lecterns completed the presentation setting, while carpet and floor finishes established the auditorium footprint. Together, these elements formed a complete temporary scenic composition rather than a stage assembled from isolated rental components.

Manufacturing Nine Breakout Environments

The breakout-room requirement was substantial. Six temporary rooms were created within the ballroom, with three additional breakout environments installed elsewhere at Emirates Palace. The original project page confirms that the rooms incorporated bespoke stages and backdrops. Evolution Scenic constructed the environments using freestanding modular partitions fabricated in workshop-built sections. This method provided several operational advantages. The wall structures could be cut, framed, assembled and finished under controlled workshop conditions. Graphic positions, joints and visible edges could be checked before the sections reached the venue.

The modular approach also created repeatability. Where the breakout rooms shared common details, the same construction principles could be used across several units rather than developing every room as a completely separate build. Once delivered, the sections could be assembled into temporary room layouts without relying extensively on the permanent venue walls. Each breakout environment incorporated its own stage, backdrop and screen surround. Smaller screens were supplied by Evolution Technical and fitted into the prepared scenic compositions.

Although the rooms belonged to one project identity, they still needed to work individually. The construction therefore had to balance consistency with the practical requirements of each space. The available source material does not provide the dimensions of the partitions, stages or screen openings. It also does not identify whether every breakout room followed exactly the same layout. Those details have not been assumed.

Using Materials Across Different Scenic Functions

The confirmed construction palette included MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic, fabric, printed panels, vinyl graphics, laminate, PU paint and carpet. This range supported both structural and decorative requirements. Sheet materials could be used to form stage surfaces, wall faces, fascias and display structures. Timber framing provided an adaptable method for producing the larger modular partitions, while metal framing could support details requiring additional rigidity or reduced visual bulk.

Acrylic enabled dimensional graphic components and other refined details to be incorporated into the scenic package. Printed panels, fabric and vinyl graphics carried the Qudwa identity across the auditoria, breakout backdrops, corridor installations and signage. The use of several graphic methods allowed the visual language to be adapted to different substrates and scales.

Laminate and PU paint provided controlled scenic finishes, while carpet helped define the floors of the temporary environments and cover transitions between constructed scenic elements and the venue surface. The precise material build-up of every component has not been supplied. The material list is therefore presented as a confirmed overall project palette rather than as a detailed specification for individual elements.

Extending the Scenic Environment into the Corridors

The project did not stop at the doors of the auditorium and breakout rooms. Custom infographic walls and freestanding panels were installed through the corridors. The original project described these installations as a way of carrying information and visual content through the venue’s circulation areas.

From a scenic perspective, the corridor elements served an architectural purpose. They changed the routes between rooms from neutral venue spaces into part of the temporary project environment. Freestanding construction allowed graphic content to be introduced without depending entirely on the permanent walls. It also supported the requirement to protect existing venue surfaces.

Signage and wayfinding were integrated with these graphic elements. This allowed operational information to use the same materials, proportions and branding as the main scenic package. The result was continuity between the principal auditorium, the breakout rooms and the routes connecting them.

Coordinating Scenic, Technical and Furniture Delivery

The project required coordination between several Evolution departments and the venue. Evolution Scenic fabricated the physical scenic package. Evolution Technical supplied the smaller screens used within the side displays and breakout environments. The main auditorium screen was supplied by Emirates Palace.

This division of responsibility made interface coordination important. Scenic structures had to be built around equipment supplied by other parties, while still achieving consistent finished edges, alignment and access. Evolution Furniture supplied the terrace furniture. These outdoor settings extended the project beyond the enclosed conference spaces and provided a coordinated furniture environment for the terraces, as also recorded on the original project page.

Evolution Events developed the delivery from the client-supplied concept, coordinating the different physical and operational components into one project. The ecosystem demonstrates how scenic fabrication can sit within a wider production structure without blurring responsibility. Screens remained technical equipment, furniture remained a specialist furniture supply and the constructed stages, walls, surrounds, lecterns and graphic installations remained part of the scenic scope.

Project Outcome

The Qudwa Teachers’ Forum environment demonstrated how multiple temporary spaces could be manufactured and installed as a single coordinated scenic package. Evolution Scenic delivered the physical construction required for the main auditorium and nine breakout rooms while also extending the project identity into corridors and circulation spaces.

The use of workshop-built modular partitions supported the three-day phased installation and reduced the amount of on-site fabrication required inside Emirates Palace. Technical responsibilities remained clearly defined. The venue supplied the main screen, Evolution Technical supplied the smaller screens and Evolution Scenic fabricated the surrounding physical structures.

Evolution Furniture’s terrace package completed the project ecosystem, while Evolution Events coordinated the delivery from the client-provided concept. The completed environment stands as a practical example of multi-room scenic fabrication, temporary conference architecture and coordinated installation within a protected venue.

Building More Than 24 Bespoke Exhibition Environments

The 2022 Make it in the Emirates forum required a large-scale exhibition environment capable of presenting a diverse collection of UAE companies and organisations within the Abu Dhabi Energy Center. The space needed to accommodate multiple exhibitors while maintaining a consistent overall visual language throughout the venue.

Evolution Scenic designed and built more than 24 bespoke exhibition stands, with each environment tailored to the identity, branding and presentation requirements of the organisation it represented. This allowed every exhibitor to retain its own character while remaining part of a cohesive event environment.

From a fabrication perspective, this created a substantial requirement for repeatable scenic construction across multiple custom-built spaces. Although each stand had its own layout, graphics and configuration, the structures needed to be manufactured to a consistent standard and installed efficiently as part of one larger temporary environment.

The resulting exhibition featured custom scenic walls, portals, counters, display areas and architectural elements, with integrated graphics, screens and lighting helping to create complete branded environments across the exhibition floor.

Creating Architectural Forms From Scenic Fabrication

The exhibition was developed around a consistent architectural language, using angular portals, projecting canopies, recessed wall sections and freestanding scenic structures to create depth and visual interest across the individual stands.

MDF scenic cladding formed the finished surface for many of these structures, allowing clean edges, precise geometric profiles and smooth architectural finishes. Behind the visible panels, timber and metal framing provided the necessary support for the larger fabricated forms and helped maintain their overall shape and stability.

A custom-made 3D Make it in the Emirates logo installation was also fabricated as a prominent feature within the event environment. The dimensional logo was constructed on a purpose-built platform, finished with paint and enhanced with integrated lighting to define the angular forms and create a strong illuminated presence.

The combination of structured framing, scenic cladding and custom 3D fabrication made it possible to create more refined exhibition environments than conventional modular stand systems. Careful coordination between the internal structure, finished surfaces and integrated lighting ensured that each element maintained a clean and consistent architectural appearance throughout the venue.

MDF Cladding and Scenic Finishes

The visible surfaces across the exhibition were predominantly clean and architectural, with light-coloured finishes giving the structures a refined stone or concrete-inspired appearance. MDF was used as the principal scenic cladding material, providing a smooth and versatile surface for the custom-built walls, counters, portals and feature structures.

Its machinability allowed the fabrication team to produce crisp corners, straight runs and precise angular profiles across the stands, supporting the strong geometric language of the overall design. The MDF surfaces were then finished through the scenic paint and finishing process to achieve a consistent appearance across the different fabricated elements.

The finishing palette was further developed through a combination of stone-effect surfaces, high-gloss black feature panels and carefully detailed counter fronts. Integrated downlighting within the projecting canopy structures added depth to the finished MDF forms, while green wall elements introduced a natural contrast against the hard architectural finishes and helped define individual exhibition spaces.

This combination of accurate fabrication and carefully applied finishes helped create a polished architectural look throughout the exhibition, while maintaining visual consistency between individual stands and the wider event environment

Building Around LED Display Technology

Digital screens were incorporated into numerous exhibition structures, forming an important part of the presentation and communication strategy across the event environment. 

The screens were recessed within fabricated walls and feature panels, creating clean, integrated presentation areas for digital content while maintaining the architectural character of each stand. This approach allowed the technology to feel like part of the scenic design rather than a separate add-on.

The scenic fabrication was developed to accommodate the dimensions and depth of the display hardware while maintaining a neat finished surround. Openings, panel depths and framing needed to be coordinated carefully so that each screen sat correctly within the structure and aligned with the surrounding surfaces.

By integrating the displays directly into the scenic architecture, the stands achieved a more refined and cohesive appearance while still providing flexible digital platforms for branded content, presentations and visual communication.

The integration of display technology was supported by complementary scenic elements including illuminated portals, feature towers and interactive presentation points, allowing digital content to be distributed throughout the exhibition environment. This combination of screens, lighting and custom-built structures created a layered visitor experience, while maintaining a consistent architectural finish across the individual stands.

Main Stage and Branded Scenic Architecture

The project extended beyond the exhibition floor into the main presentation environment, where the scenic language was carried through into a large-scale stage designed for keynote speeches, panel discussions and official ceremonies.

Evolution fabricated a high-impact main stage incorporating custom scenic structures, branded finishes and a substantial digital presentation surface. The stage was developed with a strong architectural composition, using layered platforms, illuminated steps, scenic side towers and integrated branding to create a clear focal point within the auditorium.

The large digital screen formed the central backdrop for presentations and event content, while the surrounding scenic elements framed the display and helped create a more complete branded environment. Dedicated seating areas, presentation positions and stage access were incorporated into the overall layout to support the different programme requirements.

Integrated lighting within the stage edges, steps and scenic features added definition to the structure and strengthened the overall visual impact. The main stage followed the same fabrication approach as the exhibition stands, bringing together custom scenic architecture, branding, digital technology and lighting as one coordinated event environment.

Panel Discussion and Signing Environments

Dedicated panel discussion and signing zones were also constructed as part of the project, extending the scenic environment beyond the exhibition stands into more formal presentation and agreement-signing spaces.

These areas required a different configuration from the exhibition floor, with the layout designed to support official meetings, presentations and signing activities. Custom scenic backdrops, branded side panels and a purpose-built signing desk helped create a professional and clearly defined environment for these functions.

The signing area also incorporated a large digital backdrop, raised carpeted platform and coordinated branded graphics, creating a strong visual setting for photography, media coverage and formal ceremonies. The surrounding scenic elements helped frame the space while maintaining the same design language used throughout the wider event.

A total of 32 Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the forum, making these dedicated environments an important part of the overall event delivery. Evolution’s role included constructing the physical settings required for these activities, extending the scenic scope from exhibition fabrication into temporary presentation and ceremonial architecture.

Custom Furniture and Supporting Scenic Infrastructure

The exhibition environments were completed with custom-built furniture, display counters and supporting structural elements, helping each area function as a complete and practical event space while remaining consistent with the overall scenic design.

Counters were integrated directly into the scenic architecture rather than treated as separate furniture pieces. Reception and information points incorporated branded finishes, directional information and venue mapping, allowing functional visitor services to become part of the wider visual environment.

Furniture and seating were positioned throughout the exhibition to create comfortable meeting, networking and presentation areas. Dedicated lounge settings incorporated upholstered seating, occasional tables and raised carpeted platforms, supported by custom scenic backdrops and integrated lighting to create clearly defined spaces within the venue.

Supporting scenic infrastructure also included branded information walls, display features and purpose-built structures that helped organise visitor movement and communication across the event. This combination of scenic construction, custom furniture and functional elements allowed Evolution to deliver fully resolved environments rather than isolated fabricated walls.

Coordinating a Multi-Zone Installation

The scale of the project required multiple fabrication disciplines to come together within one coordinated installation, with numerous exhibition stands and shared spaces needing to operate as part of a unified environment.

Carpentry and scenic construction formed the physical basis of the stands, while paintwork, graphics, lighting, greenery and digital displays completed the finished environments. Consistent architectural forms and material finishes helped maintain a clear visual language across the different zones.

The installation also required careful coordination between circulation routes, individual stand layouts and shared presentation areas. Each display screen needed to fit its scenic opening, graphics had to align with finished panels, counters and furniture needed to sit correctly within the fabricated structures, and integrated lighting had to complement the overall scenic design.

This level of coordination was essential to delivering a large-scale exhibition environment in which multiple bespoke spaces could function independently while still reading as one cohesive temporary architecture.

Delivering a Consistent Scenic Finish Across Diverse Stands

The finished installation demonstrates the value of maintaining a consistent fabrication standard across a large number of individual exhibition spaces, each with its own branding, layout and functional requirements.

Although the stands represented different organisations and industries, the use of clean architectural forms, fabricated walls, integrated displays, graphics, coordinated lighting and carefully finished surfaces created a coherent visual environment throughout the Abu Dhabi Energy Center.

Evolution's role covered the design and execution of the exhibition setup, ensuring that scenic, structural and branded elements were integrated consistently across multiple zones. Careful attention to proportions, finishes and detailing helped the individual stands retain their own identity while still belonging to the wider event environment.

The completed project therefore demonstrates not simply the ability to fabricate an individual exhibition stand, but the ability to coordinate multiple bespoke scenic builds as one large temporary architectural installation with a unified level of finish and presentation.

Building a Data-Led Forum Environment at Manarat Al Saadiyat

The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Data Analytics Forum was established in 2019 as a platform for tourism professionals to exchange data, research and insights affecting the future of the sector. Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the inaugural forum examined the role of analytics and technology in developing Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry. The event took place at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island.

Evolution Scenic was appointed to deliver the forum’s scenic and branding environment. Working from a client-supplied concept, the team fabricated and installed the physical elements required to organise the venue into a series of distinct but connected spaces. The scope included the main stage, workshop environments, Tourism Data Lab structures, infographic walls, registration facilities, networking areas, monitor kiosks, branded plinths, partitions, signage and floor-applied wayfinding.

Translating the Supplied Concept into Buildable Scenery

A creative concept establishes the visual direction of an environment, but it does not automatically resolve how each element will be constructed. Evolution Scenic’s role required the supplied design to be interpreted as a practical fabrication package. Scenic walls needed supporting frames. Counters required usable working surfaces and enclosed structures. Display panels had to remain stable and flat. Monitor kiosks needed to accommodate technical equipment, while the stage required safe access and accurate integration with presentation systems.

The project used MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing and acrylic across its different scenic elements. These materials allowed the fabrication team to respond to the changing structural and visual requirements of the venue. MDF provided smooth finished faces. Plywood offered strength where components needed to resist handling or carry fixings. Timber and metal framing created the supporting construction, while acrylic was used for precisely formed display and branding details. Painted finishes, printed panels and vinyl graphics transformed the structural components into a consistent branded environment.

Fabricating the Main Presentation Environment

The main forum space was centred on a purpose-built scenic stage. Evolution Scenic fabricated the stage deck, access steps and backdrop walls. Custom lecterns were produced to complete the setting and provide functional presentation positions aligned with the surrounding scenic treatment. The relationship between the stage and the backdrop was important. The deck created a defined presentation plane, while the scenic walls provided architectural scale and held the forum identity around the main content area.

Stage steps needed to be positioned for direct movement without interrupting the visual composition. Fascias, junctions and painted surfaces had to remain consistent when viewed from across the room. The original Evolution Scenic project record identifies the main forum stage as one of several coordinated areas delivered for the event.

Constructing the Tourism Data Lab

Beyond the main stage, the Tourism Data Lab created a more spatial and interactive setting for information. Evolution Scenic fabricated open timber-framed structures that defined the area without closing it off from the wider venue. The repeated framing established an architectural rhythm and made the Data Lab identifiable from different approaches. Unlike a conventional solid partition, the open structure preserved visibility and allowed the space to remain connected to surrounding circulation.

Monitor kiosks, branded plinths and information displays were incorporated into this environment. The scenic elements supported the presentation of digital and printed content while giving the Data Lab its own physical character. The visible framing also required a high standard of finish. Structural components that remain exposed need accurate joints, consistent spacing and cleanly resolved connections because there are fewer applied surfaces available to conceal construction tolerances.

Producing Freestanding Infographic Environments

The forum used freestanding infographic walls to present information beyond the stage and Data Lab. These scenic structures combined graphic communication with temporary construction. Each wall needed to provide a smooth, accurately aligned surface for printed data while remaining stable within a public circulation area. MDF and plywood supplied the rigid faces, while timber or metal framing provided the supporting structure. Printed panels and vinyl graphics carried the information across the completed surfaces.

Monitor kiosks and branded plinths introduced additional formats for displaying content. Together, the physical displays created a layered environment in which information could be read from walls, viewed on monitors or encountered at individual stations. This distributed approach allowed the data content to become part of the venue architecture rather than remaining confined to the main presentation screen.

Creating Functional Scenic Joinery

Registration and networking areas required scenery that could also function as working furniture. The registration counter needed to present a finished public-facing surface while providing a practical operating position behind it. Counter dimensions, worktop construction, internal framing and graphic placement all contributed to its performance. Networking counters provided points for informal discussion throughout the venue. Partitions helped define these areas and distinguish them from the more formal stage and workshop settings.

Although these pieces were smaller than the main backdrop walls, their construction quality remained important. Visitors encountered them at close range, making alignment, paintwork, vinyl application and edge finishing particularly visible. The joinery therefore needed to be robust enough for operational use while retaining the visual language established across the larger scenic package.

Extending the Environment Through Graphics and Wayfinding

The forum identity continued beyond the fabricated stage and display structures. Evolution Scenic installed printed panels, applied vinyl, signage, floor graphics and pathfinding elements across the venue. The original project record confirms that the wayfinding package was intended to support a cohesive and functional journey between the forum’s different spaces.

Floor graphics were particularly effective because they introduced direction and branding without requiring additional freestanding structures. Signage identified individual areas, while applied graphics connected counters, partitions, walls and plinths to the same visual system. The combination of scenic construction and environmental graphics allowed the venue to be read as one complete temporary installation rather than a series of separately branded rooms.

Coordinating Multiple Scenic Systems

Delivering the forum required several fabrication disciplines to operate together. Carpentry formed the stage decks, walls, counters and display structures. Timber and metal framing supplied structural support. Acrylic components created refined branded details, while paint and graphics completed the visible surfaces. These processes needed to follow a coordinated production sequence.

Frames and substrates had to be completed before final finishing. Graphic dimensions had to correspond with the fabricated faces. Monitor openings and equipment supports needed to be established before kiosks were closed and finished. Consistency was equally important. Repeated graphic alignments, panel details, counter proportions and material transitions allowed elements of different sizes to appear related. This coordination is what turns a collection of scenic components into a complete environment.

Installing the Forum at Manarat Al Saadiyat

The fabricated elements were delivered and installed across the selected areas of Manarat Al Saadiyat. The main stage established the central presentation setting. The Tourism Data Lab, infographic walls and monitor kiosks formed the information environment. Registration and networking joinery supported the operational areas, while graphics and signage connected the different zones across the venue.

The screens and monitors were supplied and installed by Evolution Technical. This allowed the scenic structures and audiovisual equipment to be coordinated within the same wider production team, including the integration of display openings, equipment positions and monitor kiosks. Temporary scenic projects are normally planned around restricted access periods and the activities of other production departments. Scenic installation must therefore be sequenced with technical systems, venue operations, graphics and final dressing.

Delivering a Cohesive Physical Environment

The completed scenic package gave each part of the forum an identifiable purpose. The main stage provided a formal architectural setting for keynote content. The open-framed Tourism Data Lab created a recognisable destination for analytical material. Freestanding infographic walls and monitor kiosks distributed information throughout the venue.

Registration counters, networking joinery, partitions and wayfinding supported the movement and operation of the forum. Each element performed a separate role, but the shared materials, graphics and finishes allowed the components to operate as one visual system. Evolution Scenic’s contribution lay in turning the supplied concept into a functioning temporary environment through coordinated fabrication, scenic joinery, material construction, graphic integration and on-site installation.