Translating the Concept into a Complete Symposium Environment

Evolution Scenic developed the client-supplied concept into a complete temporary environment extending across the ballroom, foyer and workshop areas. The project needed to support several different functions: a principal presentation stage, panel discussions, collaborative workshops, registration, information points and participant circulation. Although each area performed a different role, they needed to feel like parts of the same event rather than separate scenic installations.

The concept was therefore developed as a connected spatial system. Geometry, proportions, graphic treatments, finishes and architectural details were coordinated across the different environments to establish a consistent visual language.

At the same time, the scenic design had to be translated into practical workshop-built components. Framing, panel sizes, freestanding bases, junctions, technical openings and modular connection points were resolved so that the environment could be fabricated off-site, transported efficiently and assembled within the hotel. This approach allowed the project to operate as one complete symposium environment while still responding to the individual requirements of each venue zone.

Building the Main Presentation Architecture

The main ballroom environment was centred around a raised stage deck with integrated access steps and a large-format scenic presentation backdrop.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the scenic architecture surrounding the central LED display, allowing the screen to become part of the overall stage composition rather than appearing as an independent technical element. Angular scenic forms, branded surfaces and large-format graphic treatments extended across the presentation elevation, creating a clear visual focus for keynote presentations and panel sessions.

Custom lecterns and panel-session units were fabricated to follow the same architectural language. Their proportions, frontal branding and surface finishes were coordinated with the stage backdrop so that the presentation furniture appeared as an intentional part of the scenic environment. The finished stage brought together decking, scenic elevations, branded graphics, presentation joinery and screen integration within one coordinated architectural composition.

Creating Workshop and Discussion Spaces

Away from the main ballroom, the symposium required smaller environments for workshops, discussions and collaborative sessions. Evolution Scenic fabricated modular partitions and freestanding scenic structures to establish these spaces without making permanent alterations to the hotel interior. The partitions provided visual separation while also carrying event graphics, typography and informational content, allowing the architecture itself to contribute to the identity of each workshop area.

Monitor stations and information counters were developed as purpose-built scenic assemblies. Counter surfaces, technical displays, graphic headers and vertical information panels were combined into individual structures rather than treated as separate furniture and equipment.

This helped the workshop environments maintain the same level of visual control as the principal stage while adapting the scenic language to a smaller and more functional scale.

Shaping Arrival, Branding and Wayfinding

The scenic package extended beyond the principal presentation and workshop environments to address how participants arrived, identified destinations and moved through the venue. Evolution Scenic fabricated a coordinated range of registration and reception counters, freestanding directional signs, branded towers, graphic walls, sponsor panels, photo backdrops and entrance structures. These elements were positioned to support both functional circulation and visual continuity across the ballroom, foyer and workshop areas.

“The Loft” entrance feature formed one of the principal destination markers within the symposium. Its freestanding construction, angular profile and bilingual graphic treatment created a recognisable architectural threshold into the workshop environment while reinforcing the event identity at a key transition point. Branded towers and directional elements provided additional vertical landmarks throughout the venue, helping participants identify routes and destinations without relying on conventional standalone signage alone. Their repeated proportions, finishes and graphic treatments also helped connect the different functional zones visually.

Graphics were integrated directly into scenic walls, counters, towers and freestanding structures so that branding and wayfinding became part of the architectural composition rather than being applied as a secondary layer after fabrication. This approach allowed the arrival experience, orientation system and environmental branding to work together as one coordinated scenic language, strengthening both the operational clarity and the visual consistency of the symposium environment.

Fabricating the Scenic Architecture and Custom Joinery

The project was manufactured as a modular workshop-built scenic package using MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic, fabric, laminate, printed panels, vinyl graphics and PU paint. MDF and plywood were used across scenic wall surfaces, shaped panels, stage fascias, counters, lecterns and presentation furniture. Timber framing provided the internal structure for many of the modular walls and joinery assemblies, while metal framing was incorporated where additional rigidity, slimmer structural sections or improved freestanding stability were required.

Laminate provided durable finishes to selected working surfaces and counters, while PU paint created a controlled architectural finish across fabricated scenic elements. Acrylic, fabric, printed graphics and vinyl treatments introduced additional surface character and allowed branding to be incorporated at different scales throughout the environment. By manufacturing the project as modular components, Evolution Scenic could produce both large architectural scenery and detailed custom joinery within one coordinated fabrication programme.

Integrating Screens, Lighting and Scenic Systems

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens, monitors, lighting and associated technical equipment, allowing the scenic and technical packages to be developed as a coordinated system rather than as separate disciplines.

The main LED display was integrated directly within the fabricated stage backdrop and scenic surround. Its position influenced the dimensions of the surrounding scenic panels, visible edge conditions, structural allowances and the overall composition of the presentation elevation.

Workshop monitors were similarly incorporated into purpose-built information stations, scenic counters and discussion-area structures. This ensured that the digital displays appeared as part of the designed environment rather than as independent technical equipment introduced after fabrication.

These integrations required close coordination between the visible scenic finishes and the technical requirements concealed behind them, including equipment positioning, support framing, cable access, connection points and operational clearances. Lighting was also coordinated with the scenic architecture so that key surfaces, branded features and presentation zones could be visually defined without disrupting the overall design language of the environment.

The collaboration between Evolution Scenic and Evolution Technical allowed screens, monitors and lighting systems to function as intentional architectural components within the symposium setting. This level of integration helped maintain clean sightlines, controlled scenic detailing and a consistent relationship between physical scenery, environmental graphics and digital content across the main stage and supporting workshop spaces.

Delivery, Installation, Handover and De-Rig

Evolution Scenic delivered the complete scenic package through a phased two-day installation programme across the ballroom, foyer and workshop areas. Because the principal structures had already been fabricated as modular workshop sections, site activity could focus on controlled unloading, positioning, assembly, alignment and final integration rather than extensive fabrication inside the hotel.

The larger scenic components—including the stage deck, backdrop, LED surround and principal partitions—were assembled before the smaller joinery, counters, entrance features, branded towers and directional structures were positioned. Evolution Technical coordinated the installation of screens, monitors and lighting with the scenic structures before graphics, floor finishes and final presentation details were completed. Protection was maintained to the hotel’s existing floors and walls throughout delivery and installation.

Once scenic construction, technical integration and final finishing were complete, the environment was prepared for operational handover. Following the symposium, Evolution Scenic carried out the complete de-rig. Stage components, scenic walls, partitions, counters, entrance structures, graphics, signage and supporting scenic elements were dismantled and removed from the venue. The modular construction method allowed larger structures to be separated into manageable transportable sections during removal, after which the ballroom, foyer and workshop spaces were returned to their original condition.

Project Overview and Scenic Delivery

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

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

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

Developing the Scenic Concept

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

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

Integrating the Stage, Screen and Branded Backdrop

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

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

Bespoke Scenic Fabrication and Materials

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

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

Graphics and Large-Format Fabric Banner

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

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

Five-Day Fabrication, Installation and Site Support

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

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

Delivering a Coordinated Scenic System

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

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

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

Building a Unified Scenic Environment for Make it in the Emirates

The second Make It in the Emirates Forum took place at Abu Dhabi Energy Centre from 31 May to 1 June 2023. The venue needed to accommodate a main conference stage, breakout presentation spaces, sponsor exhibition environments, arrival features, branded circulation routes and integrated technical displays within one connected event environment.

Evolution Scenic was appointed to deliver the full turnkey scenic solution and developed the overall event concept before translating it into practical temporary architecture. The scope included the main stage, breakout stages, exhibition area, arrival arch, project flooring, scenic walls, branded portals, signage, wayfinding and integrated display structures.

The exhibition layout was developed to accommodate six diamond sponsors and 30 additional sponsors. Each organisation needed its own visible and functional presence, while the wider environment still had to maintain a consistent architectural identity. Balancing individual sponsor requirements with the overall scenic concept became an important part of the design and fabrication approach.

Rather than treating the project as a collection of unrelated stages, booths and branded structures, Evolution Scenic developed the venue as a single scenic system. Geometry, materials, graphics, screen integration and architectural detailing were repeated across different zones so that the environment remained visually connected from arrival through to the main conference and exhibition spaces.

Developing a Consistent Architectural Language

The scenic concept used a strong geometric language based around angled wall profiles, layered surfaces, framed openings and illuminated linear features. These details were repeated across the main stage, breakout spaces, sponsor structures, Government Hub, arrival environment and wayfinding features.

The main conference stage established the principal architectural direction. A broad screen composition was surrounded by angular scenic architecture, while layered stage steps carried the same geometry into the floor. Branded vertical elements added another level of depth and connected the presentation area with the visual identity used throughout the venue.

Breakout stages applied the same design principles on a smaller scale. Integrated screen openings, presentation plinths and scenic wall systems provided each space with the functionality required for individual sessions while maintaining a clear relationship with the primary conference stage.

The exhibition environments extended this language into the sponsor areas through fabricated walls, overhead structures, counters and integrated display positions. The arrival arch introduced the same architectural character before visitors reached the main environment, using dynamic content and fabricated scenery to establish the project identity from the entrance onwards.

Fabricating the Scenic Package

MDF and plywood were the principal scenic materials used across the project. Their versatility allowed the workshop team to manufacture the controlled flat surfaces, angular profiles, arches, screen frames, stage features and exhibition structures required by the concept while maintaining consistent edges and junctions across the different areas.

Selected elements combined metal framing with MDF cladding. The internal metal construction provided structural support where required, while the MDF faces created the smooth visible architectural surfaces used throughout the wider scenic scheme. This allowed individual structures to respond to different technical and functional requirements without changing the external design language.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the project flooring, all scenic walls and arches and most of the other visible scenic elements. With multiple stages, sponsor environments, portals and presentation zones being manufactured as parts of one package, accurate set-out was essential to maintaining relationships between wall lines, floor transitions, overhead features, graphics and screen openings.

Workshop production therefore played a central role in controlling the complete installation. Components needed to connect accurately once delivered to Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, while graphic zones, technical apertures and adjoining scenic structures had to maintain the proportions established during design development. Fabrication accuracy allowed the different parts of the project to come together as one consistent temporary architecture on site.

Delivering the Forced-Perspective Feature

Forced perspective formed part of the wider event concept and introduced a scenic feature that relied on controlled geometry rather than conventional flat construction. The feature was fabricated as two principal sections before being transported to Abu Dhabi Energy Centre and assembled in its final position.

Dividing the structure into two sections made the feature practical to manufacture, handle and install while creating an important requirement at the connection between the two halves. Once assembled, the separate components needed to appear as one continuous scenic form rather than two independent fabricated sections.

Forced-perspective environments depend on the relationship between line, scale, depth and the position from which the feature is viewed. Maintaining these relationships through the fabrication process meant the geometry of both sections needed to correspond accurately when brought together on site.

The finished feature demonstrates how visually complex scenery can be broken into practical manufactured sections without losing the intended effect. It also illustrates the importance of considering transport, assembly and installation while developing unusual scenic forms rather than resolving those requirements only after fabrication has begun.

Integrating Screens into the Scenic Construction

The project incorporated an extensive technical display package across the main conference stage, breakout areas, Government Hub, sponsor environments and arrival architecture. One principal screen was supplied by Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, while the remaining screens were installed by Evolution Technical’s in-house team.

The venue screen was incorporated into the main stage architecture rather than treated as an independent technical element. Scenic walls and stage geometry framed the display and connected it visually with the surrounding environment, allowing the screen to become part of the architectural composition of the stage.

Additional screens were integrated into fabricated structures throughout the sponsor exhibition areas, Government Hub, breakout stages and presentation spaces. Screen positions needed to align with the scenic openings, while surrounding panels, trims and graphic surfaces created the finished architectural interface around each technical system.

The arrival arch also incorporated dynamic content, extending the relationship between scenic fabrication and digital display into the visitor arrival sequence. This allowed the visual language established around the main stage technology to continue into a very different type of structure.

Coordination between Evolution Scenic and Evolution Technical was particularly valuable at the interface between fabricated scenery and technical equipment. The technical systems required suitable support and operational access, while the scenic construction needed controlled edges, accurate openings and clean finishes. Developing both disciplines within the Evolution group allowed those interfaces to be treated as parts of the same built environment.

Constructing the Sponsor Exhibition Environment

he exhibition area was developed to accommodate six diamond sponsors and 30 additional sponsors within a shared architectural environment. The challenge was to provide individual organisations with clear presence and functional presentation space without allowing the exhibition floor to become a collection of visually unrelated stands.

Fabricated wall structures, overhead branding elements, integrated monitors, meeting counters and presentation surfaces established the individual sponsor environments. Open frontages maintained visibility and circulation through the exhibition area, while scenic structures created enough architectural definition for each organisation to establish its own presence.

Repeated details such as vertical fins, angled portals, illuminated edges and framed screen openings linked these individual areas back to the wider Make It in the Emirates identity. Sponsor graphics and digital content could vary within each space, while the physical construction retained the common geometry and material language established across the project.

The Government Hub created one of the strongest individual environments within the exhibition. Vertical illuminated features, recessed screens and a central branded header defined the area, while its curved layout created a recognisable presentation zone without disconnecting it from the angular scenic language used elsewhere.

By controlling the architecture centrally while allowing individual branding within it, Evolution Scenic was able to balance sponsor visibility with overall consistency. The result was an exhibition area in which individual identities remained clear while the physical environment continued to read as part of one event.

Installing Within Abu Dhabi Energy Centre

The scenic package was installed within the existing finished environment of Abu Dhabi Energy Centre. Protecting the venue formed an important part of the site operation, with protective measures applied to existing floors, walls and glazed surfaces during installation and subsequent dismantling.

This was particularly important given the physical extent of the project. Large scenic wall assemblies, project flooring, arches, stages, display structures and numerous sponsor environments all needed to be transported through the venue, positioned and assembled without damaging the surrounding architectural finishes.

Evolution Scenic installed the project flooring, all scenic walls and arches and most of the additional scenic elements. The two-part forced-perspective structure was assembled on site, while the main stage and exhibition environments were coordinated with both the existing venue screen and the additional display systems installed by Evolution Technical.

The scenic installation also had to respond accurately to fixed conditions within the building. Existing architecture, usable floor areas, circulation routes and technical infrastructure established physical boundaries around which the temporary environment had to be positioned.

Bringing the project together required careful coordination between flooring, large scenic structures, sponsor zones, screens, graphic finishes and supporting branded elements. The installation translated a substantial workshop-built package into the final venue environment while maintaining the consistent geometry and finish developed through the scenic concept.

Completing and Removing the Temporary Environment

Once installed, the scenic package transformed Abu Dhabi Energy Centre into a connected series of branded temporary environments. The main conference stage, breakout stages, sponsor exhibition areas, Government Hub, arrival feature and wayfinding structures all performed different functions while sharing the same architectural vocabulary.

Integrated display systems became part of the physical architecture rather than sitting independently within it. Screens were framed within scenic walls and sponsor structures, while the arrival arch combined fabricated form with dynamic content. MDF, plywood and selected metal-framed construction allowed these different elements to maintain a consistent external finish despite their varied structural and technical requirements.

The sponsor exhibition environment demonstrated the same approach at a larger scale. Six diamond sponsors and 30 additional sponsors were accommodated within individual settings while the repeated geometry, framing and illuminated detailing maintained visual consistency across the complete floor.

Following the forum, Evolution Scenic dismantled the temporary installation, completing a scope that extended from concept development and fabrication through installation and final removal. Venue protection remained part of this process as the scenic structures, flooring and technical interfaces were taken out of the finished building.

Make It in the Emirates demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to manage a substantial multi-zone scenic package combining conference staging, exhibition fabrication, sponsor environments, temporary architecture, branding and technical integration. By developing the physical environment and coordinating closely with Evolution Technical, the project could operate as one complete scenic system rather than a collection of independent production elements.

Building a Modular Forum Environment at Expo 2020 Dubai

The Qudwa–PISA Global Competence Forum took place at Expo 2020 Dubai on 19 February 2022. Developed around the theme Preparing Students to Live in an Interconnected World, the forum was delivered in collaboration with the OECD and the Bussola Institute.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for developing and delivering the physical scenic environment. The scope extended well beyond the main presentation area and included the stage deck, screen structures, Media Hub installation, partitions, branded backdrops, illuminated totems and plinths, signage, wayfinding and lounge elements.

Each part of the environment performed a different function, but the complete installation needed to operate as one coordinated piece of temporary architecture. This required the stage, technical displays, exhibition structures, branding and supporting elements to share a consistent architectural and graphic language throughout the forum.

Developing the Scenic Concept

Evolution Scenic developed the scenic design rather than working solely from a completed third-party production package. This allowed the visual concept, fabrication methodology, material choices and installation requirements to be considered together from the beginning of the project.

The forum identity was translated into a combination of solid scenic surfaces, framed technical displays, illuminated vertical elements and areas of coloured transparency. The main stage established the strongest architectural expression, with the same visual principles subsequently carried into the Media Hub, partitions, branded structures and wayfinding elements.

Maintaining this continuity was particularly important because the forum contained several distinct functional areas. Consistent proportions, framing, materials and graphics allowed each zone to retain its own purpose while still reading as part of the same temporary environment.

Constructing the Main Stage

The main stage and stage deck formed the central scenic structure within the forum. Evolution Scenic fabricated the physical stage environment, including the deck, surrounding scenic architecture and the metalwork required to integrate the LED screens supplied by Evolution Technical.

MDF, plywood and timber framing formed part of the confirmed material palette. These materials provided adaptable scenic surfaces that could be produced in modular sections and finished with the required graphics and decorative treatments, while metal framing provided additional structural support around the technical display systems.

The screens were treated as integral parts of the stage composition rather than freestanding pieces of equipment. Their positions influenced the proportions of the surrounding architecture, while the fabricated scenic elements established the visual boundaries that connected the displays to the wider stage.

The stage also needed to support practical technical operation. Scenic surrounds were therefore developed around the physical requirements of the screens and their supporting systems, allowing the visible architecture and technical installation to work together as one coordinated environment.

Integrating the LED Systems

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screen systems used within the main stage. Evolution Scenic fabricated the metal structures and scenic surrounds that incorporated those displays into the architecture of the presentation environment.

This required accurate coordination between the dimensions of the technical equipment and the fabricated scenic components. Screen position influenced the spacing, alignment and overall geometry of the surrounding structures, while the scenic architecture determined how the technical equipment was visually framed from the audience position.

The resulting stage combined two connected disciplines. Evolution Scenic created the physical architecture, while Evolution Technical delivered the display systems operating within it, allowing structural, scenic and technical elements to appear as parts of one resolved composition.

The same collaborative approach extended beyond the main auditorium into the Media Hub, where fabricated frames, graphics and technical displays again needed to operate within a shared architectural system.

Fabricating the Media Hub

The Media Hub was developed as a freestanding scenic feature within the wider forum environment. Evolution Scenic fabricated metal-framed panels incorporating coloured transparent sheet and printed graphics, creating a distinct secondary zone without requiring permanent modification to the Expo venue.

The metal frames established the geometry and structural definition of the feature, while the transparent coloured materials introduced layering and visual depth. Unlike solid scenic walls, these surfaces allowed parts of the surrounding environment and structural framing to remain visible, creating a lighter architectural treatment.

Printed graphics were incorporated within the framed composition to connect the Media Hub visually with the wider Qudwa–PISA identity. The relationship between structural frames, transparent panels and graphic surfaces allowed the installation to remain distinctive without feeling disconnected from the main stage environment.

Evolution Technical supplied the display equipment incorporated into the Media Hub. The scenic framing was therefore developed around the technical components so that screens, coloured materials and printed graphics aligned as one coordinated installation.

Producing Partitions and Branded Backdrops

Custom partitions and branded backdrops were fabricated to define different areas throughout the forum. These elements functioned as temporary spatial architecture, providing visual separation, branded surfaces and controlled backgrounds without becoming permanent interventions within the Expo venue.

The confirmed construction palette included MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic, printed fabric and vinyl graphics. Timber-framed panel construction allowed the larger elements to be manufactured as modular sections, while MDF and plywood provided smooth surfaces suitable for consistent graphic and decorative finishes.

Metal framing was incorporated where freestanding structures required additional support or where the construction needed to relate visually to the screen surrounds and Media Hub. This created continuity between the heavier scenic walling and the lighter framed structures positioned elsewhere within the environment.

Together, the partitions and backdrops extended the architectural language beyond the main stage. They helped organise the venue spatially while providing a consistent physical framework for branding, interpretation and circulation.

Branded Totems, Plinths, Signage and Reception Counters

Evolution Scenic fabricated MDF totems and plinths finished with vinyl graphics to create smaller branded focal points throughout the forum. These elements extended the visual identity into areas where a full scenic wall or large architectural installation was unnecessary.

Reception counters, signage and wayfinding used the same coordinated approach to graphics, proportions and finishes. Their scale was smaller than the principal scenic structures, but their positioning and appearance were important to maintaining continuity through the visitor journey.

The freestanding nature of these elements allowed them to be placed according to the practical needs of each area while remaining visually connected to the wider environment. Their finishes and graphic treatment ensured that supporting functions such as reception, information and navigation became part of the overall scenic language.

By carrying the design into these smaller components, the temporary architecture extended beyond the main visual moments. The complete forum environment could therefore maintain a consistent identity from the principal stage through to the supporting circulation and reception areas.

Creating Lounge and Seating Areas

Evolution Scenic fabricated MDF totems and plinths finished with vinyl graphics to create smaller branded focal points throughout the forum. These elements extended the visual identity into areas where a full scenic wall or large architectural installation was unnecessary.

Reception counters, signage and wayfinding used the same coordinated approach to graphics, proportions and finishes. Their scale was smaller than the principal scenic structures, but their positioning and appearance were important to maintaining continuity through the visitor journey.

The freestanding nature of these elements allowed them to be placed according to the practical needs of each area while remaining visually connected to the wider environment. Their finishes and graphic treatment ensured that supporting functions such as reception, information and navigation became part of the overall scenic language.

By carrying the design into these smaller components, the temporary architecture extended beyond the main visual moments. The complete forum environment could therefore maintain a consistent identity from the principal stage through to the supporting circulation and reception areas.

Coordinating Externally Supplied Banners

Tall floor-supported graphic banners were produced by an external specialist supplier and incorporated into the wider forum layout. Evolution Scenic coordinated these elements alongside its fabricated stage, partitions, framed displays and branded structures.

Maintaining a clear distinction between packages was important. The banners formed part of the final visual environment but were not manufactured by Evolution Scenic, while the surrounding scenic architecture and fabricated elements remained within Evolution Scenic’s direct production scope.

The positioning of the banners still needed to respond to the scale and layout of the scenic installation. Their graphic presence contributed to the wider visual identity and therefore needed to sit comfortably alongside the dimensional structures, screens and branded surfaces developed elsewhere in the venue.

Large temporary environments frequently involve several specialist contractors working together. The Qudwa–PISA environment demonstrates how externally supplied elements can be incorporated into a coordinated scenic scheme while retaining clear responsibility for individual fabrication packages.

Modular Workshop Fabrication

The complete scenic environment was produced in modular sections, allowing the main stage structures, framed panels, partitions and backdrops to be manufactured away from the venue under controlled workshop conditions.

Modular construction made the larger elements more manageable for transportation and load-in. Instead of moving complete full-scale structures, the fabrication team could prepare controlled sections that were transported separately and assembled in their final positions at Expo 2020 Dubai.

This approach placed particular importance on workshop accuracy. Connections needed to align consistently, framed structures had to remain square and graphic surfaces needed to meet cleanly once individual modules were joined together on site.

The stage surrounds also had to correspond accurately with the dimensions and positions of the technical displays. Completing this coordination during fabrication reduced the amount of adjustment required within the venue and supported a more controlled installation process.

Completing the Two-Day Installation

The complete on-site scenic installation was delivered over two days. Modular construction and detailed workshop preparation allowed a substantial proportion of the physical production to be completed before the scenic package arrived at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The stage deck and modular scenic sections were assembled before the fabricated surrounds were coordinated with the LED screens supplied by Evolution Technical. The relationship between the screens and scenic architecture could then be checked as the primary presentation environment came together.

The Media Hub was installed as a separate scenic feature, combining its metal frames, coloured transparent panels, printed graphics and technical displays. Partitions, branded backdrops, illuminated totems, plinths, reception elements, signage, wayfinding and lounge structures were positioned across the wider forum environment.

Externally supplied graphic banners were also incorporated into the final layout. Delivering multiple zones within the two-day installation required a controlled sequence so that structural assembly, technical installation, graphics and final scenic finishing could progress efficiently alongside one another.

Creating a Unified Temporary Environment

The completed Qudwa–PISA Global Competence Forum brought scenic fabrication, technical integration and temporary architecture together within one coordinated environment. The main stage combined a modular deck, fabricated scenic structures, metal screen surrounds and LED displays to create the principal presentation setting.

The Media Hub introduced a different architectural character through freestanding metal frames, coloured transparent materials, printed graphics and integrated technical displays. Partitions and backdrops established the surrounding spatial structure, while illuminated totems, plinths, signage and wayfinding extended the visual identity throughout the venue.

Lounge and reception elements brought the same design approach into the functional areas supporting the main programme. Externally supplied banners were coordinated within the overall layout, allowing specialist packages to contribute to the completed environment without blurring responsibility for their manufacture.

Following the forum, the installation was dismantled. From initial scenic development through workshop fabrication, technical coordination, two-day installation and final removal, the project demonstrates the operational value of connecting scenic and technical disciplines within one temporary architectural system. Evolution Scenic produced the physical environment while Evolution Technical supplied the integrated LED and Media Hub systems, with both disciplines coordinated as parts of the same finished space.

Engineering An Immersive Exhibition Environment

The Forever Valentino Exhibition at M7 Doha transformed a contemporary gallery into a sequence of immersive architectural spaces celebrating the heritage of Maison Valentino. Working alongside Kennedy London, Evolution Scenic was responsible for the technical development of the exhibition, including fabrication drawings, engineering calculations, scenic manufacturing and on-site installation.

The project required far more than the construction of conventional exhibition displays. The creative direction drew heavily on the architectural character of Rome, using monumental scenic structures, sculptural reproductions, specialist display elements and immersive environments to frame different moments within Valentino’s history.

Each gallery introduced a distinct spatial experience, requiring bespoke fabrication rather than a repeated modular system. The scenic architecture therefore became part of the storytelling itself, with every structure developed to support both the exhibition narrative and the museum-quality presentation expected within M7 Doha.

Translating Creative Design Into Fabricated Reality

One of the defining challenges was converting highly detailed conceptual designs into scenic structures that could be engineered, manufactured, transported and installed without weakening the architectural intent. Evolution Scenic developed the creative scheme into coordinated fabrication information, allowing each gallery environment to progress from concept into practical workshop production.

The exhibition incorporated architectural references to Rome alongside sculptural and display elements associated with different chapters of Valentino’s history. Among the most prominent features was a large-scale Colosseum-inspired scenic structure, supported by additional architectural environments, bespoke display elements and a recreation of a classical statue.

Unlike a conventional exhibition where the displays sit independently from the surrounding space, the scenic construction formed an active part of the visitor journey. Walls, structures, furniture and sculptural features helped establish the character of each gallery and created the architectural context in which the collection was presented.

This approach required close coordination between technical design, engineering and fabrication. Each bespoke structure needed to remain practical to manufacture in the UAE, transport internationally and assemble accurately within the galleries while maintaining the refined appearance established by Kennedy London’s design.

Engineering Monumental Scenic Structures

The exhibition required a wide range of construction methods, from precision scenic joinery and architectural walling to substantial structural steel fabrication. Each element was engineered around its own scale, form and role within the exhibition while remaining visually connected to the wider architectural language.

One of the principal engineered installations was the Gasometer-inspired steel structure. This feature required significant structural fabrication while retaining a finish suitable for a luxury cultural exhibition, demonstrating the need to balance engineering performance with close-range visual presentation.

Elsewhere, bespoke scenic environments combined structural framing, architectural detailing, display furniture and sculptural components. These elements were not treated as independent construction packages but as parts of a complete gallery composition in which proportions, finishes and interfaces needed to remain controlled.

Because visitors experienced the work at close proximity, engineering accuracy alone was not enough. Fabrication tolerances, surface alignment, joinery details and finished edges all contributed directly to the visual quality of the exhibition, requiring structural and scenic disciplines to operate together throughout production.

Materials, Scenic Craftsmanship and Museum-Quality Finishes

The confirmed construction scope combined structural steelwork, timber construction and specialist scenic fabrication. These disciplines allowed Evolution Scenic to produce both monumental architectural elements and more finely detailed exhibition components within the same project, supporting the varied scale of the gallery environments.

Steel fabrication provided the structural basis for major installations such as the Gasometer-inspired feature, while timber construction and scenic joinery were used throughout the architectural walling, custom display furniture and smaller exhibition structures. Sculptural reproductions and detailed scenic elements added another layer of fabrication to the overall environment.

The close viewing distances within the galleries placed particular importance on finish quality. Surfaces needed to remain consistent, joints had to be carefully resolved and architectural details required crisp, controlled fabrication so that the physical construction could withstand the level of scrutiny expected within an international exhibition.

This balance between structural performance and scenic craftsmanship allowed large engineered forms and delicate presentation elements to coexist within the same visual language. The result was an exhibition environment in which the technical complexity of the construction remained concealed behind refined architectural surfaces.

International Fabrication and Logistics

The complete scenic package was manufactured in the United Arab Emirates before being transported to Doha for installation at M7. This added an important logistical dimension to the project because every bespoke component needed to leave the workshop prepared for international transport and subsequent installation within a cultural venue.

Many of the structures were unique architectural elements rather than interchangeable exhibition components. Large steel fabrications, scenic assemblies, sculptural pieces and specialist display structures therefore required careful handling to protect both their structural integrity and their completed finishes during transportation.

Fabrication decisions had to consider the journey from workshop to site as well as the final installed appearance. The way individual structures divided, the size of transportable sections and the protection of finished surfaces all influenced how the scenic package could move efficiently from the UAE to Qatar.

International delivery therefore became part of the wider technical development process rather than a separate activity after fabrication. The project required manufacturing, engineering, logistics and installation to remain coordinated so that bespoke scenic elements could arrive ready to be assembled accurately within the gallery sequence.

Installing the Exhibition at M7 Doha

Installation at M7 Doha required numerous bespoke scenic environments to be assembled and aligned within the existing gallery architecture. Each component needed to correspond accurately with the planned exhibition layout while maintaining the visual sequence established by Kennedy London’s creative design.

Large structural features established the primary architectural framework before the surrounding scenic elements, display structures and sculptural pieces were completed around them. This created a staged installation process in which the principal structures provided the reference points for the more detailed scenic and display components.

Dimensional coordination remained particularly important because each gallery contained unique fabricated elements. Adjacent scenery, architectural features and display structures needed to align accurately so that joints, transitions and spatial relationships appeared deliberate rather than the result of separate construction packages.

The completed installation brought together large-scale engineering and detailed scenic craftsmanship within one controlled gallery environment. Accuracy during site assembly was essential to preserving the quality established in the workshop and ensuring that the architecture maintained the refined finish expected of a luxury fashion exhibition.

Creating an Immersive Architectural Journey

The success of the Forever Valentino Exhibition depended on how the individual gallery environments worked together as a complete journey. Each space introduced a different chapter of Valentino’s story through architecture, sculpture, display furniture and scenic construction rather than relying solely on objects or graphic interpretation.

Monumental scenic features created moments of architectural scale, while more detailed environments framed individual displays and collection pieces. The Colosseum-inspired structure, Gasometer-inspired steel installation, classical sculptural recreation and bespoke exhibition elements each contributed a different layer to the visitor experience.

Although the galleries were individually designed, they shared a common fabrication philosophy. Structural engineering, scenic manufacturing, precise detailing and controlled installation were used consistently across the project, allowing the visitor to move between different environments without losing the wider architectural coherence of the exhibition.

The close relationship between architecture and exhibition content allowed the scenery itself to become part of the interpretation. Rather than functioning as a neutral backdrop, the fabricated environments created the context through which Valentino’s history, design language and connection to Rome could be experienced.

Delivering a Complex International Exhibition

The completed Forever Valentino Exhibition established a series of bespoke scenic environments combining architectural inspiration, structural engineering and museum-quality fabrication within M7 Doha. Evolution Scenic delivered the technical development, fabrication drawings, engineering calculations, scenic manufacturing and installation required to realise Kennedy London’s design.

The project brought together substantial steelwork, timber construction, scenic joinery, sculptural fabrication and specialist exhibition elements across multiple unique gallery spaces. Each construction discipline contributed to the same visitor experience, from monumental architectural features through to carefully detailed display structures and finishes.

Manufacturing the complete scenic package in the UAE and installing it in Qatar added another layer of coordination, requiring fabrication, logistics and site assembly to remain connected throughout delivery. The project demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s ability to manage complex international exhibition environments where engineering, architectural detailing and presentation quality are equally important.

Forever Valentino also illustrates how scenic fabrication can move beyond conventional event construction and operate within a museum-standard cultural environment. By combining technical development, engineered structures, bespoke manufacturing and precise installation, Evolution Scenic helped transform a creative exhibition concept into a sequence of immersive architectural spaces.

Creating a Multi-Area Scenic Environment for the Global Citizen Forum

The Global Citizen Forum took place at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah in 2021. Developed around the theme The Future in Motion, the programme included a two-day conference followed by a Gala Dinner, requiring several distinct areas of the venue to operate as parts of one connected visual environment.

Evolution Scenic was appointed to provide scenic design, fabrication and event branding across the venue. Developing the scenic design alongside the fabrication scope allowed the visual concept, construction methodology, materials and installation requirements to be considered together rather than treating production as a separate stage after the design had been completed.

The scope extended well beyond a conventional conference backdrop. It included the main stage environment, entrance architecture, exhibition displays, branded perimeter walling, presentation plinths, podiums and dedicated Gala Dinner scenery. Each area served a different function, but the complete project was developed through a consistent architectural, material and graphic language.

Building the Main Conference Stage

The main conference stage formed the principal architectural element within the auditorium. Evolution Scenic fabricated the complete stage deck and access steps together with black scenic walling, a branded lower fascia and custom podiums, creating a controlled visual setting around the principal presentation area.

The venue’s existing LED screen established a fixed technical reference for the scenic construction. The surrounding walling, stage deck and fascia therefore needed to be developed around the position and proportions of the installed display so that the complete elevation appeared balanced from the main audience viewing positions.

Black scenic surfaces created a restrained architectural frame around the screen content, while the branded fascia concealed the supporting stage structure and created a continuous graphic surface across the front elevation. The access steps and custom podiums followed the same construction and finish language, allowing the functional elements of the stage to read as parts of one coordinated environment.

Integrating Scenic Construction with Venue Technology

Working around a venue-owned LED screen required the scenic architecture to respond precisely to an existing technical installation. The screen needed to remain fully visible and operational while the surrounding walling provided a clean architectural frame that visually connected it with the stage deck and the wider conference environment.

The scenic walls could not be positioned independently of the display. Their dimensions, base positions and finished edges needed to correspond with the installed screen, while the stage deck and front fascia had to maintain a consistent relationship with its lower edge. Accurate fabrication and positioning were particularly important across the wide stage elevation, where small dimensional differences would have been visually apparent.

This coordination allowed the technical system to sit naturally within the scenic architecture rather than appearing as equipment placed against a temporary backdrop. The stage structure completed the visual composition while maintaining the separation required between the venue technology and Evolution Scenic’s fabricated scope.

Extending the Identity Beyond the Auditorium

The scenic environment continued beyond the principal conference stage into the arrival and exhibition areas. Evolution Scenic fabricated a large branded perimeter wall that established a defined architectural boundary within the venue and provided a substantial surface through which the Global Citizen Forum identity could extend into the wider space.

A circular illuminated entrance feature introduced a stronger three-dimensional arrival point. Its curved geometry contrasted with the predominantly rectilinear walling and display structures used elsewhere, while integrated illumination reinforced its outline and made the feature clearly visible within the larger exhibition environment.

Combining large-format walling with the illuminated entrance prevented the arrival area from becoming a sequence of flat graphic surfaces. The architectural wall established scale and enclosure, while the circular feature created a recognisable focal point that helped establish the transition into the forum environment.

Fabricating Geometric Displays and Exhibition Features

Evolution Scenic fabricated geometric metal-framed displays, freestanding exhibition panels and presentation plinths for the exhibition area. The open metal structures introduced a lighter architectural language than the solid perimeter walling, allowing objects and graphic content to be framed while maintaining visual depth through the surrounding space.

Freestanding panels provided additional surfaces for information and branding and could be positioned according to the layout of the exhibition environment. Presentation plinths created elevated bases for individual objects, with their proportions and surface treatments developed to complement the wider material and graphic language rather than function as unrelated display furniture.

Together, the perimeter wall, illuminated circular entrance, geometric frames, exhibition panels and plinths created a layered hierarchy of scenic elements. Larger architectural forms defined the overall space, three-dimensional features created focal points and smaller structures supported individual presentation moments, giving the exhibition area greater depth and visual organisation.

Constructing the Gala Dinner Environment

The Gala Dinner required a distinct scenic treatment while remaining connected to the wider visual identity of the Global Citizen Forum. Evolution Scenic fabricated a dedicated branded stage for the evening setting together with a globe feature and a gold-framed presentation plinth.

The globe introduced a clearly sculptural object into an environment otherwise dominated by rectilinear stage, wall and display construction. Its curved three-dimensional form created a focal point within the room and provided a visual counterpoint to the more architectural scenic elements used throughout the conference and exhibition spaces.

The gold-framed plinth added another dedicated presentation feature and introduced a different material character appropriate to the evening environment. Together, the stage, globe and presentation structure gave the Gala Dinner its own identity while retaining enough visual continuity for the space to feel like an extension of the wider forum rather than a separate project.

Coordinating Graphics with Fabrication

Branding formed part of the physical construction throughout the project rather than being treated as a final decorative layer. The stage fascia, scenic walling, exhibition panels, podiums and presentation plinths were all developed as fabricated surfaces that also carried the visual identity of the Global Citizen Forum.

This required the dimensions of each scenic element to remain coordinated with the graphic layouts applied to it. Logos, text and visual motifs needed to sit correctly within the available surfaces and maintain alignment around edges, joints and adjoining components, particularly across larger scenic walls and the continuous front fascia of the main stage.

The relationship between structure and graphics created consistency across areas that performed very different functions. The black stage architecture provided a controlled frame around the technical content, while the entrance and exhibition spaces combined larger branded surfaces with illuminated and three-dimensional forms. Fabrication established the physical hierarchy, and the graphic treatment connected those elements through one shared identity.

Installing Multiple Scenic Zones

Installation at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre involved several distinct scenic zones. Within the auditorium, the stage deck, access steps, black scenic walls, fascia and podiums needed to be positioned accurately around the venue LED screen so that the completed stage maintained the proportions established during design development.

The entrance and exhibition areas required a different installation sequence, bringing together the large perimeter wall, illuminated circular entrance, metal-framed displays, freestanding panels and presentation plinths. These structures varied considerably in size and construction but needed to maintain consistent alignment, finish quality and branding once positioned within the wider environment.

The Gala Dinner stage, globe feature and gold-framed presentation element created an additional installation zone with its own spatial requirements. Coordinating these separate areas as parts of the same scenic package allowed the venue to transition between conference, exhibition and evening functions while maintaining a recognisable project identity throughout.

Delivering a Consistent Temporary Architecture

The completed Global Citizen Forum transformed several areas of the venue through purpose-built temporary scenic construction. The auditorium gained a complete architectural stage environment centred around the existing LED screen, while the arrival and exhibition areas were shaped through branded walling, illuminated entrance architecture, geometric displays and freestanding presentation structures.

The Gala Dinner extended the project into a different setting through its dedicated stage, sculptural globe and gold-framed plinth. Although every area had its own functional requirements, the use of coordinated form, materials, graphics and fabrication methods allowed the individual environments to remain visually connected.

Evolution Scenic’s combined design and fabrication scope allowed stage construction, scenic architecture, graphics, metalwork, feature fabrication and installation to develop as parts of one coordinated process. The finished project demonstrates how multiple temporary conference environments can be given a clear architectural identity through disciplined scenic design and fabrication rather than relying on branding alone.