Fabricating the UAE Regional Climate Dialogue environment at Emirates Palace

The UAE Regional Climate Dialogue took place at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in April 2021. The conference required a complete branded environment capable of supporting both physical and remote participation, with the scenic package creating a strong architectural setting within the room while accommodating the technical displays required for the hybrid format.

Working from a supplied design, Evolution Scenic was responsible for fabricating and installing the principal scenic elements. The confirmed scope included the main stage deck and steps, central screen surround, large angled graphic walls, a freestanding photo-op backdrop, dimensional lettering, flags, signage and wayfinding. Evolution Technical supplied the displays incorporated into the main stage and photo-op installations.

The complete fabrication and installation programme was delivered within one week, creating a significant fast-track challenge across technical development, workshop production, graphics, scenic finishing and site delivery. The scenic installation at Emirates Palace was undertaken overnight, making accurate preparation and coordination before load-in particularly important.

Developing the Scenic Architecture

Evolution Scenic translated the supplied visual design into a coordinated package of fabricated structures, finished surfaces and technical interfaces. The main stage deck and access steps created the functional raised presentation area, while the central backdrop, angled graphic walls and supporting branded structures established the wider architectural composition within the conference space.

The stage deck, steps and front-facing scenic treatments were fabricated using materials from the confirmed project palette, including MDF, plywood and internal framing. These materials provided the defined profiles and smooth finished surfaces required for the graphic and vinyl treatments while allowing the structure to be manufactured efficiently within the compressed programme.

The stage was developed as part of the complete scenic environment rather than as an isolated platform. Its geometry, fascia, finishes and adjoining elements needed to align visually with the central screen surround and surrounding scenic structures. With only one week available for fabrication and installation, buildability and workshop preparation were central to turning the supplied design into a practical installation.

Integrating the Stage and Screen

The central screen formed one of the principal visual elements within the main stage environment. Evolution Technical supplied the display, while Evolution Scenic fabricated the surrounding scenic architecture and branded backdrop, requiring accurate coordination between the screen position, fabricated opening and finished scenic edges.

The surrounding structure created a deliberate architectural frame around the technical display. Graphic panels and branded surfaces connected the screen visually with the stage deck, fascia and wider scenic composition, allowing the technical equipment to sit naturally within the temporary architecture rather than appearing as a separate element placed against the scenery.

Accurate workshop set-out was particularly important because even small differences between the display position and fabricated opening could affect the appearance of the completed backdrop. Coordinating the scenic and technical requirements during fabrication allowed the screen, structure and branding to come together as a single resolved presentation environment when installed on site.

Extending the Scenic Environment

Large angled graphic walls extended along both sides of the conference space, carrying the event identity beyond the central stage and increasing the physical scale of the scenic installation. Their changing geometry created greater depth than a conventional flat perimeter backdrop and helped connect the principal presentation area with the wider Emirates Palace interior.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the wall system using materials from the confirmed project palette, including timber and metal framing, MDF, plywood, printed panels and vinyl graphics. Accurate workshop set-out was required so that individual sections maintained the supplied angles and connected correctly when assembled within the venue.

The large-format graphics also needed to continue cleanly across the changing wall planes. Careful positioning and alignment of adjoining sections helped maintain visual continuity across the installation and reduced unnecessary breaks within the overall composition. Together, the angled walls acted as an architectural extension of the central stage and established a consistent branded environment throughout the room.

Creating the Branded Support Elements

Evolution Scenic also fabricated a separate freestanding photo-op backdrop incorporating printed graphics and a display supplied by Evolution Technical. The scenic framing, finished faces and technical opening needed to be developed as one coordinated structure so that the screen could be integrated cleanly without compromising the appearance of the branded backdrop.

The freestanding construction allowed the feature to operate independently from the existing venue walls while retaining the alignment and finish required for photography and interview use. Its construction therefore had to provide both the necessary stability and the clean front-facing appearance expected from a highly visible branded feature.

Dimensional lettering or hashtag elements positioned across the front of the main stage introduced additional depth to the branding and strengthened the visual connection between the stage and backdrop. Flags, signage and wayfinding extended the same graphic identity into the supporting areas, allowing smaller scenic elements to reinforce the visual language established by the principal structures.

Fast-Track Fabrication and Overnight Installation

The entire scenic package was fabricated and installed within one week. The programme covered the production of several large scenic structures, integrated technical interfaces, printed and applied graphics, dimensional branding and supporting elements, placing significant importance on accurate workshop coordination and preparation before the project reached site.

Installation at Emirates Palace was undertaken overnight. The available working period needed to accommodate positioning the stage deck, installing the steps and fascia, assembling the screen surround, installing the angled graphic walls and positioning the freestanding photo-op structure. Each part of the environment had to be completed in a sequence that allowed the adjoining scenic and technical elements to follow efficiently.

Evolution Technical’s displays also needed to be installed and accurately aligned with the fabricated scenic openings before the final dimensional lettering, flags, signage and wayfinding were positioned. The compressed programme demonstrates the importance of completing as much coordination, fabrication and checking as possible within the workshop before a scenic package enters a restricted overnight installation window.

Delivering a Complete Temporary Conference Environment

The finished UAE Regional Climate Dialogue environment brought stage construction, framed scenic walls, printed branding, dimensional lettering and technical displays together within one coordinated installation. The main stage established the architectural focus of the conference space, while the angled graphic walls extended the visual identity across the room and increased the perceived scale of the scenic environment.

The freestanding photo-op created an additional branded setting incorporating its own technical display, while dimensional lettering, flags, signage and wayfinding extended the same design language through the supporting areas. Although these elements varied considerably in scale and construction, they formed part of the same coordinated scenic package and needed to maintain a consistent standard of fabrication and finish.

Evolution Scenic’s role centred on translating the supplied design into a practical fabrication and installation system. Coordinating the scenic construction with Evolution Technical’s display requirements from the beginning allowed screens, branded surfaces and structural elements to operate within the same visual framework. Delivered within one week and installed overnight at Emirates Palace, the project demonstrates how technical coordination, workshop preparation and buildability can support fast-track scenic delivery for a hybrid conference environment.

Engineering the UAE Climate Tech Environment at Abu Dhabi Energy Center

The inaugural UAE Climate Tech forum was held on 10–11 May 2023 at Abu Dhabi Energy Center. It was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in partnership with ADNOC and Masdar.

Evolution Scenic was responsible for the complete scenic scope across the conference and exhibition environment. The project extended from the principal conference stage into the lobby, sponsor areas, exhibitor stands, interaction zones, registration points, breakout spaces and outdoor exhibition areas. More than 80 exhibitor stands formed part of the wider delivery, alongside sponsor booths, custom furniture and display units.

Because each space had a different function, the scenic system needed to accommodate several wall heights, flooring treatments, display configurations and graphic finishes while retaining a consistent project identity.

Evolution Technical supplied the LED screens and their supporting systems. Evolution Scenic delivered the scenic surrounds, fabricated structures, graphics, counters and specialist floor details required to integrate those technical components into the wider environment.

Building a Unified Conference and Exhibition System

The scenic package was developed as a sequence of connected environments. The main conference room established the primary architectural language through a large central display, curved side screens, illuminated floor lines and a stepped stage.

This language continued through the exhibition spaces using painted walling, printed graphics, LED skirting and integrated digital screens. Sponsor and exhibitor stands introduced reflective vinyl flooring with further LED strip details. These illuminated lines connected the stand floors visually with the stage steps and scenic outlines in the main room.

Outdoor stands used a related but simplified material combination of painted scenic walling, printed vinyl graphics, LED displays and exhibition carpet. Registration and breakout spaces were provided with custom reception counters using painted finishes. These counters supported the operational requirements of the venue while remaining visually connected to the wider scenic package.

The result was a temporary architectural system capable of changing scale and function without losing its material or visual continuity.

Constructing the Main Stage and Stepped Deck

The main stage measured 21.5 metres long, seven metres deep and 750 millimetres high. Its surface was finished in exhibition carpet, providing a consistent presentation area across the full stage footprint.

Stepped access was incorporated at the front and sides of the platform. LED strips followed the step profiles, making the changes in level visually clear and introducing illuminated lines into the stage architecture.

The LED detailing was also extended across selected floor lines. These routes helped define the stage perimeter and connected the main platform with the curved scenic structures positioned at each side. An illuminated lightbox logo was built into the front fascia. Rather than applying branding as a flat graphic, the lightbox created a three-dimensional feature with its own internal illumination.

The stage deck, step geometry, carpet, lighting channels and fascia needed to be developed as one assembly. LED positions had to be established before the visible floor finish was completed so that the lighting appeared integrated rather than surface-mounted.

Integrating the Main Screen and Curved Side Displays

The principal LED display was an existing screen measuring 18 metres wide and 7.5 metres high.

This fixed screen established the scale and centre line of the conference stage. The new scenic construction was coordinated around its position and dimensions. Curved LED displays were positioned on both sides of the central screen. Each screen measured four metres by 2.5 metres and was integrated into a scenic wall measuring four metres by 3.5 metres.

The scenic walls incorporated projecting returns. These returns enclosed the edges of the screen structures and helped connect the technical displays to the surrounding stage architecture.

Painted finishes and illuminated line details continued across the screen surrounds. This prevented the side displays from appearing as freestanding technical units disconnected from the main stage. Evolution Technical delivered the LED screens and supporting systems. Evolution Scenic coordinated the adjoining walls, returns, floor details and visible finishes.

This division of scope required accurate dimensional exchange between the scenic and technical teams. Screen supports, wall edges, floor lighting and stage geometry all needed to correspond before the final surfaces were completed.

Fabricating the Lobby Exhibition Environment

The lobby exhibition environment was developed around scenic walls reaching three metres in height, creating a consistent architectural framework across the exhibition area. The walls were finished in paint and printed vinyl graphics, allowing individual exhibitor identities to be introduced while maintaining a coordinated overall appearance. LED strips positioned along the skirting created a continuous illuminated base detail and helped visually connect the different wall sections throughout the lobby.

Digital displays were integrated directly into the scenic walls according to the individual stand designs. Their positions needed to be coordinated with the surrounding graphics, wall geometry, structural supports and visible panel joints so that the screens appeared as part of the scenic construction rather than as separate technical additions.

Curved wall sections were incorporated alongside the straighter exhibition elements, introducing changes in direction and helping shape movement through the lobby. This allowed the exhibition environment to avoid a repetitive linear booth layout while creating more varied sightlines between adjacent stands.

The combination of painted scenic surfaces, printed vinyl graphics, integrated digital displays and illuminated skirting gave each exhibitor a defined communication zone while preserving the shared architectural language of the wider UAE Climate Tech environment.

The completed lobby therefore functioned as both an exhibition setting and a coordinated scenic circulation space, with the wall geometry, digital content and lighting details working together as one temporary architectural system.

Delivering Sponsor and Exhibitor Stands

Sponsor stand walls reached 3.5 metres in height, giving the principal partners stronger visibility within the exhibition environment and creating a clear distinction from the surrounding lobby areas.

The stands used painted wall finishes, printed vinyl graphics and integrated LED screens according to the approved designs. LED strips were positioned at skirting level, continuing the illuminated detail established throughout the wider exhibition space. Reflective vinyl flooring introduced a distinctive finish within the sponsor and exhibitor areas. The surface reflected the surrounding screen content and lighting, adding visual depth while maintaining a clean and consistent scenic finish.

Additional LED strips were incorporated into the flooring. These illuminated lines were coordinated with wall positions, screen locations and circulation edges so that the lighting detail remained continuous across each stand. The combination of painted scenic walling, printed graphics, integrated displays and illuminated flooring allowed each sponsor and exhibitor environment to retain its own identity while remaining part of the overall UAE Climate Tech scenic language.

The repeated stand delivery also required consistent fabrication across multiple individual environments. Graphic positions, screen openings, skirting details and floor junctions were carefully controlled to maintain a uniform standard throughout the exhibition.

Developing the Interaction, Registration and Breakout Areas

The Gasha interaction area incorporated scenic walls at heights of 2.5 metres and three metres, creating a varied architectural profile within the space. Using two wall heights helped establish separation and visual hierarchy without relying on one continuous wall level throughout the environment. The interaction-area walling remained connected to the wider exhibition system through coordinated scenic finishes and integrated display positions.

Registration and breakout areas were fitted with custom reception counters finished in paint, providing dedicated points for arrival, information and operational support.

The counters were developed to sit naturally within the surrounding scenic environment. Their proportions and finishes were coordinated with the exhibition walling so that the functional furniture appeared as part of the overall fabrication package rather than as separately sourced equipment.

Together, the interaction walls and reception counters extended the same construction and finishing language used across the lobby and sponsor areas while responding to the different operational requirements of each space.

Extending the Scenic Package Outdoors

Outdoor exhibition stands formed part of Evolution Scenic’s complete project scope, extending the scenic language beyond the internal exhibition areas.

These structures used painted scenic finishes, printed vinyl graphics and integrated LED screens in accordance with the individual stand designs. The same attention to wall geometry, branding and display integration used indoors was carried through to the exterior environments.

Exhibition carpet was used for the outdoor flooring rather than the reflective vinyl specified within the interior sponsor and exhibitor areas. This created a practical distinction between the two settings while maintaining continuity with the carpeted main stage.

The outdoor stands required coordinated installation of scenic walling, digital displays, graphics and floor finishes so that each element aligned correctly within the completed structure. By carrying the same fabrication and finishing principles outdoors, Evolution Scenic maintained a consistent project identity across both the internal and external exhibition environments.

Coordinating Installation, Technical Delivery and Compliance

The complete fabrication and installation programme was carried out within the dates and working periods requested by the client. Evolution Scenic followed the client’s rules, regulations and site instructions throughout the project.

The installation required close coordination between the main stage, existing venue screen, new curved displays, exhibition walls, sponsor stands, registration counters, specialist flooring and graphic applications.

Evolution Technical installed the LED screens and their supporting systems, while Evolution Scenic delivered the surrounding scenic structures, wall finishes and flooring details. This required the scenic and technical teams to work within a coordinated installation sequence.

Screen supports and technical elements needed to be positioned before adjoining scenic finishes and floor interfaces were completed, helping maintain accurate alignment between the displays and surrounding fabrication.

All client-required project documentation and technical requirements were addressed, and the complete scenic package was delivered within the approved programme without delay or extension.

Completing the Project Without Programme Extension

Evolution Scenic completed the full scenic scope within the required client timeline. The finished conference room combined a 21.5-metre stage, exhibition-carpet finish, illuminated stepped decking, lightbox fascia branding, an 18-metre main display and two curved side-screen structures.

The exhibition areas extended the same design language through three-metre lobby walls, 3.5-metre sponsor structures, varied-height interaction walls and more than 80 exhibitor stands.

Painted scenic surfaces, printed vinyl graphics, LED skirting, embedded screens, reflective vinyl flooring and illuminated floor lines were coordinated across the individual environments. Outdoor stands, registration counters, custom display units and breakout features completed the wider scenic package.

The final result demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s capacity to manage conference scenery, exhibition fabrication, digital-screen integration, specialist flooring, graphics and multi-zone installation within one controlled delivery programme. The project was delivered without delay or programme extension.