ENGINEERING PERFORMANCE SCENERY FOR TERHAL BY DRAGONE

In 2023, Evolution Scenic was selected by Dragone to fabricate custom scenic elements for Terhal in Diriyah, Riyadh. The commission required visually authentic scenery that could also perform reliably within a demanding live-production environment.

The creative concepts were supplied by the client, with Evolution Scenic responsible for translating them into practical, production-ready scenic pieces. This involved developing the construction, structural approach and operational details needed for repeated use during rehearsals and performances.

The scope included six Saudi street-market carts and a traditional Arabian land-abra. The market carts were designed to function as parkour obstacles, requiring sufficient strength, stability and mobility for direct performer interaction.

The land-abra was engineered to move under its own power while maintaining the appearance of a traditional Arabian boat. Across the scope, structural engineering, mobility, performer interaction and scenic authenticity were central to the fabrication process.

BUILDING SIX STEEL-FRAMED PARKOUR CARTS

The six market carts were developed to preserve the visual character and traditional appearance of Saudi street-market furniture while also providing the structural strength required for demanding live performance use. Their construction needed to support repeated performer interaction and physical movement without affecting the overall scenic look of the finished pieces.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the primary internal frameworks using 48 mm diameter mild-steel pipe, creating a strong and reliable structural core for each cart. This steel framework carried the required performance loads while allowing the decorative scenic surfaces to be developed independently around the supporting structure.

Plywood, MDF and timber were applied over the steel framework to establish the external profiles, panels and recognisable market-cart forms. Fibreglass, foam, fabric and acrylic were also incorporated where appropriate to create shaped details, lightweight decorative components and additional scenic features required by the supplied concepts.

This combination of metalwork, carpentry, composite materials and scenic fabrication allowed each material to serve a specific structural or visual purpose. The completed carts retained the appearance of traditional timber-built market objects while incorporating a substantially reinforced internal construction suitable for parkour performance and repeated use within the production environment.

DESIGNING FOR PERFORMER LOADS

The distinctive feature of the market carts was their role as active parkour obstacles within the performance. Performers were expected to climb, jump, land and interact directly with the structures, creating significantly different demands compared with conventional decorative scenic furniture.

To support this level of physical interaction, the carts required a strong and stable internal construction capable of handling the intended performance loads. At the same time, they needed to remain mobile and practical for movement within the production environment without losing their traditional scenic appearance.

Evolution Scenic used 48 mm diameter mild-steel pipe as the main structural framework, providing the reinforced core required for the carts' performance function. Load limits formed part of the technical considerations, ensuring that the scenic elements were approached as functional performance structures rather than lightweight decorative props.

This combination of scenic appearance and engineered strength demonstrates the difference between conventional scenic fabrication and performance-focused scenic engineering. What appeared on stage as a traditional market cart incorporated a more substantial internal structure, allowing it to function reliably as part of the performers' physical environment.

DEVELOPING THE SCENIC SURFACES

With the structural framework completed, Evolution Scenic developed the visible forms of the scenic elements using plywood, MDF and timber. These materials were shaped and applied around the engineered structures to establish the required profiles, panels and traditional visual character of the finished pieces.

Fibreglass, foam, fabric and acrylic were incorporated where the scenic design required more detailed, lightweight or shaped decorative components. Combining these materials allowed the fabrication team to create varied forms and textures while maintaining a consistent overall appearance across the scenic elements.

Scenic painting, distressing, textured coatings and timber staining were then used to visually unify the different construction materials. These finishing techniques helped create depth, variation and a more authentic aged appearance rather than allowing the newly fabricated surfaces to appear overly clean or factory-produced.

Careful variations in colour, timber tone, texture and surface treatment helped reinforce the traditional character required by the supplied creative concepts. The completed scenic surfaces therefore combined a strong engineered construction beneath with a detailed, deliberately aged exterior suitable for close performer interaction and live theatrical presentation.

TURNING A GOLF BUGGY INTO AN ARABIAN BOAT

The second major fabrication challenge was the creation of the land-abra, which needed to operate as a moving scenic element rather than a static boat prop. Evolution Scenic transformed an existing golf buggy into a traditional Arabian boat capable of travelling through the performance environment under its own power.

The golf buggy provided the underlying vehicle platform, including the basic propulsion, steering and braking functions required for controlled movement. Around this operational base, Evolution Scenic fabricated the boat structure using a combination of mild-steel framing, timber, plywood and fibreglass.

A key part of the fabrication process was integrating the vehicle and the scenic boat body as one functional assembly. The finished scenic shell needed to conceal the recognisable golf-buggy form while maintaining access to the operating components and allowing the steering and braking systems to function effectively.

Once completed, the transformed vehicle could move through the performance area as a convincing Arabian land-abra while retaining the practical control of the golf buggy beneath it. This approach combined scenic fabrication, structural integration and vehicle functionality to create a self-powered theatrical boat suitable for live performance.

INTEGRATING STRUCTURE, MOVEMENT AND FINISH

The land-abra demonstrated how the functional requirements of a moving scenic element directly influenced its construction. Unlike a static boat prop designed mainly around shape and appearance, the golf-buggy-based land-abra required careful coordination between its scenic form and its operational vehicle components.

The supporting structure was developed using mild-steel framing, while timber and plywood formed much of the visible scenic body. Fibreglass was incorporated to create additional boat profiles and shaped details without depending entirely on heavier timber construction.

Because the land-abra needed to move through the performance environment, the construction also required consideration of weight distribution, structural interfaces and access around the existing golf buggy. The supporting framework and scenic body therefore had to work together without restricting steering, braking or general vehicle operation.

Scenic paint, textured coatings, timber staining and distressing were applied to visually unify the different construction materials into one convincing traditional boat form. The final result brought structure, movement and scenic finishing together as a single functional assembly, allowing the land-abra to maintain its theatrical appearance while operating reliably during the performance.

ADAPTING THE PROPS DURING REHEARSALS

Rehearsals became an important stage in refining the performance behaviour of the scenic pieces under actual show conditions. The uneven, sand-like performance surface affected how the wheeled market carts moved, responded and stopped during repeated use within the production environment.

Evolution Scenic adjusted the carts by modifying and refining the caster wheels and manual braking arrangements. These changes improved control and allowed the carts to move more predictably across the textured floor while remaining suitable for performer interaction and carefully coordinated stage movement.

The land-abra also required adjustments to its braking behaviour during rehearsals. Because the golf buggy was being used as a theatrical stage vehicle, its stopping and manoeuvring characteristics needed to work accurately with the movement patterns and timing required by the production.

These rehearsal-based refinements helped ensure that the moving scenic elements performed reliably within the actual venue rather than only under workshop conditions. The process demonstrated the importance of testing mobility, braking and control on the final performance surface, where textured flooring, performer movement and precise stage cues could directly influence the behaviour of each scenic element.

DELIVERING WITHIN A TWENTY-DAY PROGRAMME

The Evolution Scenic scope was delivered within a confirmed 20-day programme, requiring close coordination across fabrication, finishing and production activities. Within this limited timeframe, multiple technical disciplines had to progress efficiently while maintaining the structural and scenic requirements of the Terhal performance elements.

The six market carts required the fabrication of reinforced mild-steel frameworks, followed by the construction of timber-based scenic bodies and the application of specialist scenic finishes. Metal fabrication, carpentry, composite work and surface treatment therefore had to be carefully coordinated to keep each cart progressing through the workshop without unnecessary delays.

The land-abra introduced an additional technical challenge because an operational golf buggy had to be integrated within a custom-built scenic boat structure. Steel framing, timber, plywood and fibreglass construction needed to be developed around the vehicle while maintaining its movement, steering and braking functions before the completed piece could enter rehearsals.

Once completed, the scenic elements were delivered into the production environment for movement checks, rehearsal use and final operational adjustments. Floor protection formed part of the site requirements while moving and testing the substantial steel-framed pieces, helping ensure that installation and rehearsal activities could proceed efficiently throughout the 20-day delivery programme.

PERFORMANCE SCENIC FABRICATION IN PRACTICE

The Terhal project demonstrates the technical depth required to transform traditional-looking scenic objects into fully functional performance elements. What appeared on stage as familiar market carts and an Arabian boat incorporated engineered structures, moving systems and carefully developed scenic finishes beneath their visible surfaces.

The six market carts combined mild-steel framing with plywood, MDF, timber and additional scenic materials to create strong performance structures suitable for direct physical interaction. Fibreglass, foam, fabric and acrylic were incorporated where required to develop shaped details while maintaining the intended visual character of the client-supplied concepts.

The land-abra followed a similar approach by combining a functioning golf buggy with a custom scenic boat structure. Its construction needed to support steering, braking and controlled movement while the scenic body concealed the vehicle beneath and maintained the appearance of a traditional Arabian boat during the performance.

Scenic painting, distressing, textured coatings and timber staining completed the visual transformation of the engineered assemblies. The finished result brought together custom scenic fabrication, structural engineering, mobility and specialist finishing, allowing the scenery to operate as an active and reliable part of the Terhal production rather than simply serving as a static background.

Building Santa’s Sustainable House at Expo City Dubai

Santa’s Sustainable House was created for Winter City 2023 at Expo City Dubai as a complete festive environment built around sustainable materials and immersive scenic construction. The original attraction combined Christmas storytelling with sustainability education inside a visually detailed interactive house.

Evolution Scenic designed, fabricated and installed the entire freestanding temporary structure.

The delivery extended beyond the visible front elevation. It included the primary house construction, multiple roof profiles, artificial-snow finishes, entrance architecture, windows, doors, fencing, access ramps, interior walls and ceilings, a fireplace environment, decorative timber beams, custom furniture, storage joinery, workshop tables, Christmas trees, wrapped presents, detailed props, flooring, lighting and electrical systems.

The result needed to feel like one coherent house, even though it was constructed as a temporary modular scenic installation.

Fabricating the Festive Exterior

The external façade combined a varied roofline with shaped gables, painted wall sections, framed openings and strong red and green detailing. Artificial-snow treatments were applied across the roof profiles to create the winter appearance. The snow finish also visually connected roof sections that differed in height and shape.

The entrance was developed as a principal scenic feature. Candy-cane columns framed the doorway, while the Santa’s Sustainable House sign established a clear focal point above the opening. Windows and doors were treated as architectural components within the façade rather than simply applied graphics. Contrasting surrounds, painted trims and adjacent decorative details gave the elevation additional depth.

Picket fencing enclosed the exterior areas and helped define the footprint of the attraction. Access ramps were incorporated into the installation, connecting the surrounding area to the raised temporary house.

The exterior needed to work at two scales. From a distance, the roof silhouette, entrance sign and colour palette established the identity of the building. At closer range, the layered trims, artificial snow, windows, doors, candy-cane columns and scenic decorations provided the detail expected from an immersive attraction.

Using Materials as Part of the Visual Language

The material palette included timber-based construction, OSB-style panels, painted sheet materials and applied scenic finishes. The OSB-style surfaces were not treated only as concealed structural material. Their visible texture supported the workshop character and contributed to the sustainability-led appearance of the interior.

This allowed the material choice to become part of the storytelling. Areas that required a cleaner architectural finish received painted surfaces, while selected textured panels retained a more practical fabricated appearance. Timber-based construction also provided flexibility across the complete scope. Similar workshop methods could be used for structural modules, shaped roof components, façade profiles, shelves, worktables, storage units and other custom joinery.

The project incorporated reused or recycled materials. Exact material percentages and product specifications have not been supplied, so the case study does not assign recycled content to specific components. Energy-efficient LED lighting formed the second confirmed sustainability measure. The lighting was integrated into the temporary house to support both the exterior identity and the internal scenic environment.

Creating a Complete Interior Workshop

The interior was constructed as a sequence of detailed scenic settings. Walls and ceilings enclosed the environment, while exposed timber-style beams and OSB-style surfaces established the architectural character. Painted areas, red window treatments and carefully positioned decorative elements introduced contrast across the rooms.

One of the principal spaces resembled a working office or workshop. A substantial timber worktable occupied the centre of the setting, supported by storage units, shelves, display surfaces and small scenic props. The furniture and joinery were proportioned to the room and positioned as part of the complete visual composition.

Wall-mounted materials, shelving and decorative objects created depth around the central table. Rather than leaving large areas of undecorated wall, the interior used multiple fabricated and dressed surfaces to create the appearance of an active working environment.

Evolution Furniture supported the furniture package, while Evolution Prop Shop contributed to the decorative content and detailed dressing. These specialist elements were coordinated with the scenic build rather than added without reference to the architecture. Shelves, counters and tables were positioned according to the room layout, sightlines and circulation requirements.

Constructing the Fireplace Setting

A separate interior area was organised around a brick-effect feature wall and decorative fireplace.

The brick-effect scenic treatment established a warmer domestic setting distinct from the workshop-style surfaces elsewhere in the house.

The fireplace surround provided the main fabricated focal point. Hanging stockings, framed details, wrapped presents and a decorated Christmas tree completed the setting. The surrounding window, curtain treatments, furniture and prop placement created multiple layers within the room. This ensured the area remained visually complete when viewed from different directions rather than functioning only as a front-facing photographic backdrop.

The use of scenic construction, furniture and props as one coordinated system was essential to the finished result. The fireplace wall provided the architectural context. The custom and supplied furniture established the usable room arrangement. The trees, stockings, presents and detailed props then developed the festive narrative within that structure.

Integrating Lighting and Electrical Systems

Evolution Technical supported the lighting and electrical components of the house. Energy-efficient LED lighting was used as part of the sustainability approach. The fixtures helped establish the warmth of the interior spaces and supported the visibility of the exterior sign, façade details and decorative features.

The lighting needed to work with the selected scenic finishes. Warm internal illumination enhanced the timber and OSB-style surfaces, while the Christmas trees, fireplace environment and decorated shelving required more focused lighting to retain their detail.

Because the house was assembled from modular wall and ceiling sections, electrical routes had to remain compatible with the temporary construction. Services needed to pass through or alongside the fabricated architecture without interrupting visible surfaces.

The exact lighting fixture schedule and electrical control arrangement have not been provided. The confirmed scope is limited to Evolution Scenic’s supply of the lighting and electrical systems with support from Evolution Technical.

Engineering for Temporary Public Use

Structural stability and fire-rated materials were confirmed technical requirements. The house needed to remain stable as a freestanding temporary structure throughout its operating period. The wall modules, roof sections, entrance features and internal construction therefore had to work as one connected scenic assembly.

The external ramps and fencing were also part of the installed environment. Their connections and positioning needed to be coordinated with the house footprint rather than treated as unrelated temporary accessories. Fire-rated materials formed part of the project requirements. The supplied information does not identify the individual material classifications or certification documents, and these have not been inferred.

Temporary environments intended for interactive use normally require careful control of structural connections, projecting details, decorative fixings, electrical components and access routes. These considerations reflect Evolution Scenic’s standard methodology. Only structural stability and the requirement for fire-rated materials are presented as confirmed project facts.

A Complete Sustainable Scenic Environment

Santa’s Sustainable House demonstrated how a temporary attraction could combine structural scenic construction with detailed interior production. The exterior established a complete festive building through its roof profiles, artificial snow, shaped gables, entrance sign, candy-cane columns, windows, doors, fencing and ramps.

The interior extended the environment through scenic walls, ceilings, exposed beams, custom joinery, a brick-effect fireplace setting, furniture, trees, presents and workshop props. Reused or recycled materials and energy-efficient LED lighting supported the sustainable brief. Modular workshop construction supported the one-week programme and the later dismantling of the temporary house.

The completed project depended on more than decorative finishing. It required the coordination of temporary architecture, structural stability, scenic fabrication, interior construction, technical systems, furniture and prop dressing. That integrated approach allowed Evolution Scenic to deliver Santa’s Sustainable House as a complete immersive environment at Expo City Dubai.

Developing a Cultural Environment for the UAE Pavilion

From 30 November to 12 December 2023, the UAE Pavilion at Expo City Dubai presented an immersive cultural experience as part of COP28. The installation connected Emirati heritage, traditional craftsmanship and cultural knowledge with the wider sustainability themes of the international climate conference. Evolution Scenic was appointed by the National Projects Office to develop a client-supplied concept into a complete temporary scenic environment.

The confirmed scope included design development, scenic fabrication, printed graphics, ambient lighting and on-site installation. Rather than producing conventional enclosed exhibition stands, Evolution Scenic created an open system of timber display frames, shelves, plinths, demonstration tables, interpretive panels and scenic backdrops. Individual settings supported date-palm weaving, traditional gahwa preparation, Emirati medicine displays, marine crafts, guided storytelling and live Ayallah performances. The complete scenic package was developed as a coordinated visual and construction system that integrated with the existing UAE Pavilion architecture.

Translating the Client Concept into Buildable Scenery

The client-supplied concept established the cultural content and the intended relationship between heritage, natural materials and sustainability. Evolution Scenic developed this creative direction into scenic structures that could be manufactured efficiently, transported to Expo City Dubai and assembled within the pavilion. Each cultural subject required a different type of physical setting.

Craft demonstrations needed open working areas and practical surfaces. Interpretive displays required graphic supports, shelves and plinths. Marine heritage objects needed space for larger, irregularly shaped materials. The Ayallah performance environment needed to remain open while still being visually connected to the surrounding installation. The solution was to develop a common modular construction language that could be adapted across the different settings.

Repeated timber posts, rails, shelves and graphic-panel supports created visual continuity throughout the pavilion. The dimensions and internal arrangements of the modules could then be adjusted according to the objects, demonstrations or interpretation required in each area. This allowed the individual cultural environments to remain distinct without appearing disconnected.

Creating a Modular Scenic Display System

The principal scenic system consisted of freestanding timber-framed display structures. These frames provided the architectural foundation for the installation. They supported printed graphics, shelving, archive imagery, craft objects and cultural materials while maintaining open sightlines through the pavilion. The scenic structures were manufactured as workshop-built sections and assembled on site.

This modular approach allowed the principal components to be fabricated and finished under controlled workshop conditions before delivery. It also reduced the amount of cutting, coating and intensive construction required within the pavilion. Individual modules could be adapted to perform several functions. Some incorporated full-height bilingual interpretation panels. Others included open shelves for baskets, tools or traditional objects. Certain modules acted as scenic backdrops, while additional units framed live demonstration areas.

The modular system also allowed the structures to remain temporary and reusable. They could be assembled around the pavilion’s existing architecture without becoming permanent interventions within the building. Accurate workshop production was important because repeated frames positioned alongside one another needed to maintain consistent heights, margins, shelf positions and finish quality.

Timber Fabrication, Scenic Joinery and Finishes

The confirmed construction materials included solid timber, plywood and MDF. Solid timber formed the principal visible framework. It was used for the posts, rails, open shelving and other exposed structural elements that established the installation’s natural material character. Plywood and MDF were used for shelves, demonstration tables, display plinths, scenic panels and enclosed joinery components.

These sheet materials allowed the workshop team to produce controlled shapes, consistent surfaces and accurate interfaces between the different scenic elements. The finish palette included laminate, timber stain, clear protective coatings and painted finishes. Stained and clear-coated timber retained the visible grain of the frames and shelves. This created a direct visual connection with the palm leaves, woven baskets, mats, timber objects and other natural cultural materials displayed throughout the installation.

Painted and laminated finishes were used where individual components required a more uniform appearance or greater visual separation from the exposed timber framework. The scenic finishes remained deliberately restrained. Their purpose was to organise and support the heritage content rather than compete with it. The supplied information does not confirm the timber species, framing dimensions, sheet thicknesses or individual paint and laminate references.

Fabricating the Traditional Craft Environments

Evolution Scenic created dedicated scenic settings for live artisan demonstrations and cultural displays, with each area developed around the practical requirements of the craft being presented. The environments provided clear working zones for the artisans while giving visitors an organised view of the associated tools, materials and finished objects. Open structures, accessible display surfaces and simple architectural framing were used instead of enclosed exhibition cases. This approach kept the demonstrations visually connected to the wider pavilion while allowing the cultural content to remain the main focus.

Date-Palm Weaving

The date-palm weaving environment used open timber frames, shelving and interpretation panels to support the demonstration of traditional palm-based craft techniques. The scenic structures established the perimeter of the display without enclosing the working area, maintaining clear sightlines between the artisan and visitors. Shelves and open bays provided space for woven baskets, mats and smaller objects, while larger materials could be arranged at floor level. This open arrangement allowed the display to accommodate the varied scale and irregular forms associated with the craft.

Gahwa Preparation

A custom demonstration setting was fabricated for traditional Emirati gahwa preparation using a timber working table, supporting shelves and framed interpretive graphics. The scenic joinery provided organised surfaces for coffee pots, cups, baskets and preparation materials while keeping the working area open and accessible. Supporting shelving helped separate displayed objects from the principal preparation surface without visually disconnecting them from the demonstration. The timber construction also maintained continuity with the surrounding craft environments and the wider pavilion design.

Traditional Medicine

The traditional medicine area used a combination of freestanding scenic plinths, low display blocks and graphic panels to create an open presentation environment. Objects and natural materials could be positioned at different heights, introducing variation while keeping individual items clearly visible. The simple geometry of the scenic elements allowed the texture, colour and natural character of the displayed materials to remain prominent. Specialist artisans worked with Evolution Scenic across these cultural environments to ensure the fabricated structures responded to the practical requirements of the demonstrations and displayed materials.

Marine Heritage and Ayallah Performance Settings

The marine craft display required a different relationship between scenic structure and cultural content. Timber-framed interpretation panels provided vertical surfaces for historical imagery and written information, while open areas at floor level accommodated nets, woven fish traps, model craft and larger maritime objects. The display frames organised the content without forcing irregular heritage materials into conventional cabinets or uniform shelving. This approach allowed the marine objects to retain their natural shapes and scale while still forming part of a controlled scenic composition.

Evolution Scenic also created a custom-built environment for live Ayallah performances. Unlike the object-based display areas, the performance setting needed to maintain an open central zone. Scenic structures were therefore positioned to define the perimeter and visual identity of the area without obstructing the performers. The same timber construction, printed graphics and restrained finishes connected the Ayallah environment with the wider cultural installation. This demonstrated the flexibility of the modular scenic system. It could support shelving and objects in one area, practical demonstration tables in another and an open performance environment elsewhere.

Integrating Printed Graphics and Guided Storytelling

Evolution Scenic produced and installed the printed graphic elements used throughout the cultural route. The interpretation panels were integrated directly into the scenic structures rather than added as separate temporary signs after fabrication. Graphic dimensions, panel openings and fixing positions were coordinated with the timber frames during workshop production. This ensured that the completed panels fitted accurately between the structural rails and maintained consistent margins across the installation. The graphic system combined bilingual written interpretation, archive photography, captions and supporting imagery.

Some scenic modules carried large-format panels, while others combined graphics with shelves and displayed cultural objects. Freestanding backdrops and interpretation structures also supported guided storytelling tours through the pavilion. Because the graphics and scenic frames were developed together, the installation maintained a consistent relationship between written information, physical objects and architectural structure. The result was a guided cultural environment rather than a series of unrelated signs and display units.

Ambient Lighting and Scenic Integration

Evolution Scenic supplied the ambient lighting associated with the scenic installation. The pavilion environment changed considerably between daylight and evening conditions. The display structures, graphics and cultural materials therefore needed to remain visually legible throughout the operating period. The lighting treatment was developed to support the timber frames, shelves, graphic panels and displayed objects without overpowering the cultural content.

Open-frame construction required careful integration. Fixtures, electrical connections and cable routes needed to remain visually controlled so that the clean timber structures were not interrupted by unnecessary technical clutter. The ambient lighting enhanced the visible grain of the timber and helped define the depth of the shelving, plinths and interpretation panels after dark. It also allowed the individual cultural settings to remain connected as one complete scenic environment during evening operation.

Sustainable Construction and One-Week Delivery

Sustainability was incorporated into both the material selection and the construction methodology. The scenic package used reusable structures, recycled materials, responsibly sourced timber and low-VOC finishes. The modular frames, shelves, panels and plinths were designed as temporary scenic components rather than permanent architectural additions. Workshop-built construction supported more controlled material use and reduced the amount of on-site fabrication required within the pavilion.

The reusable approach also allowed the principal structures to be disassembled after the project rather than being fixed permanently into the existing environment. The confirmed combined fabrication and on-site installation programme was one week. This compressed delivery period required close coordination between workshop manufacturing, finishing, graphic production, lighting integration, transportation and site assembly.

The frames and joinery needed to arrive on site in a condition that allowed efficient installation. Accurate component sizing and clearly planned connection points reduced the need for extensive adjustment within the pavilion. Once the principal structures were assembled, Evolution Scenic coordinated the placement of graphics, display objects, craft materials and cultural dressing with the specialist artisans.

Delivering an Integrated Cultural Scenic Installation

The completed UAE Pavilion environment brought scenic fabrication, traditional craftsmanship, interpretation and lighting together within one coordinated temporary installation. Open timber frames maintained sightlines through the pavilion and allowed the existing architecture to remain part of the visitor experience.

Custom shelves and plinths organised heritage objects without enclosing them. Demonstration tables created functional working surfaces for live cultural activity. Integrated graphics provided the written and visual interpretation required for guided storytelling. The modular construction language connected date-palm weaving, gahwa preparation, traditional medicine, marine crafts and Ayallah performances while allowing each area to retain its individual purpose.

The project also demonstrated how temporary scenic fabrication can support authentic cultural activity rather than functioning only as decorative theming. Evolution Scenic provided the manufactured scenic framework, custom joinery, graphics, lighting and installation. Specialist artisans contributed the cultural knowledge, traditional practices and objects associated with the individual demonstrations.

Reusable structures, recycled materials, responsibly sourced timber and low-VOC finishes reinforced the sustainability objectives of the pavilion. Delivered within a combined one-week fabrication and installation programme, the project demonstrated the importance of modular scenic engineering, controlled workshop production and coordinated site assembly. The finished environment provided the UAE Pavilion with a coherent physical setting in which Emirati heritage could be demonstrated, interpreted and experienced through materials, craftsmanship, objects and live performance.

Creating Custom Learning Environments for Three Abu Dhabi Schools

In August 2023, New Century Education selected Evolution Scenic to deliver customised scenic and functional elements across three schools in Abu Dhabi. The project extended beyond conventional decoration. It brought together large-scale scenic fabrication, custom joinery, library furniture, architectural wall treatments, acoustic panels and educational graphics. Each element needed to make the school interiors more visually engaging while still supporting the practical requirements of pupils, staff and visitors.

The most prominent component was a tree-form library bookshelf measuring six metres high and 3.5 metres in diameter. Finished using spray-painted scenic surfaces, the structure was designed to become a central feature within the library environment.

Around this focal point, Evolution Scenic installed circular seating with integrated cushions and additional long counters. Together, these elements formed a coordinated reading and interaction area rather than a collection of unrelated furniture. The wider scope included visitor-registration counters at the main entrances, slotted wall panels, custom-shaped acoustic treatments and extensive educational graphics.

Turning a Tree Form into Functional Library Fabrication

The tree bookshelf combined the visual scale of a scenic installation with the functional requirements of library storage. At six metres high, the feature occupied a substantial volume within the interior. Its 3.5-metre diameter created a broad canopy and strong visual presence, allowing it to become an organising feature within the library.

The structure incorporated shelving directly into the central tree form, allowing books to be stored and displayed while maintaining the sculptural character of the installation. A circular canopy with shaped leaf elements extended above a central trunk-like structure, while curved shelving was arranged around the core. Rather than placing a decorative tree alongside conventional bookcases, the storage function was integrated into the scenic form itself.

This relationship between appearance and use was central to the fabrication. The bookshelf needed to be visually distinctive enough to define the room while remaining practical as part of the school’s everyday library environment.

Evolution Scenic developed the feature as a large-scale piece of functional scenic fabrication, coordinating the sculptural tree form with the shelving geometry and overall proportions required within the interior. The result was a six-metre-high scenic centrepiece that combined custom fabrication, integrated book storage and a recognisable tree-inspired form within one functional library feature.

Coordinating the Tree, Seating and Library Counters

The tree bookshelf was supported by additional custom-made library elements that extended the same design language through the surrounding space. Circular seating with integrated cushions was constructed around the tree, creating an informal reading zone while making practical use of the area immediately surrounding the central feature.

The curved seating geometry responded directly to the form of the tree. Rather than introducing straight furniture around a circular scenic element, the seating followed the same radial arrangement and helped create a more cohesive relationship between the central structure and the wider library interior. Long counters were also positioned near the tree bookshelves, providing additional working and display surfaces within the library areas.

Together, the tree, integrated shelving, circular seating and adjacent counters created a layered interior environment in which the principal scenic feature was supported by functional elements designed around its scale and geometry.

This coordinated approach allowed the central installation to operate as more than a standalone decorative feature. The surrounding seating and counters helped integrate the tree bookshelf into the everyday function and spatial organisation of the library.

Custom Counters for Visitor Registration

Evolution Scenic also fabricated and installed custom counters at the main entrances of the schools, extending the project scope beyond the library areas and into the arrival environments.

Designed for visitor registration, the counters served a clear operational purpose within each entrance. They provided a dedicated point for receiving visitors while remaining visually integrated with the surrounding interior rather than appearing as standalone furniture.

Because of their position at the main entrances, the counters also contributed to the first impression of the school environment. Their scale, placement and overall form needed to work comfortably within the available space while supporting everyday staff and visitor use.

The counters demonstrated a different aspect of Evolution Scenic’s fabrication capability. Alongside the larger sculptural tree bookshelves and curved seating features, the team also delivered more conventional functional joinery with the same attention to proportion, usability and spatial coordination.

Across the three schools, the visitor registration counters formed part of a wider package of custom-made interior elements. Together with the tree bookshelves, integrated seating and library counters, they helped create a coordinated environment combining sculptural scenic fabrication with practical everyday functions.

Adding Architectural Detail with Slotted Wall Panels

Slotted wall panels were delivered and installed across selected classrooms and circulation areas, introducing a more structured architectural finish to the school interiors.

The repeated linear slot pattern added depth, texture and visual rhythm to otherwise flat wall surfaces. The panels were integrated with geometric wall sections and continued around corners, openings and adjoining finishes to create a more coordinated treatment.

Accurate setting out was important to the installation. The vertical lines needed to remain consistent across adjoining sections, while panel edges had to align neatly with door frames, skirtings, ceilings and surrounding architectural features.

The wall treatment required careful coordination between fabrication and installation so that the repeated pattern remained visually consistent once positioned on site. Clean junctions and accurate alignment were particularly important where the panels met changes in wall direction or other interior finishes.

The completed slotted wall panels demonstrated how custom scenic fabrication could be applied directly to architectural surfaces. Rather than functioning as freestanding scenic elements, they became integrated interior features that added depth, structure and detail to the classroom and circulation environments.

Integrating Acoustic Treatments into Science Rooms

Evolution Scenic produced and installed custom-shaped acoustic panels for the science room walls, combining practical sound control with a more considered visual treatment.

The panels varied in both colour and size, allowing the acoustic elements to become part of the room design rather than appearing as a standard repetitive wall system. Different shapes could be arranged across the wall surfaces to create a more composed and visually engaging finish.

By integrating the acoustic treatment into the overall interior language, the panels performed both a functional and decorative role. Their customised geometry helped break up large wall areas while contributing additional colour, depth and visual structure to the science rooms.

Accurate positioning was important to maintain consistent spacing between the different panel shapes and ensure the overall composition remained balanced across each wall. The installation therefore required coordination between the individual panel sizes, their arrangement and the surrounding architectural features.

The completed treatment demonstrated how functional interior requirements could be incorporated into the wider fabrication package. Rather than treating acoustic control as a separate technical addition, Evolution Scenic developed the panels as visible design elements that contributed directly to the character of the science room interiors.

Transforming Walls into Educational Graphics

Evolution Scenic designed and installed extensive graphic wall treatments across corridors, classrooms and shared school areas, combining school branding with educational content. The illustrated subjects included mathematics, measurement, space, transportation, marine life, personal values, language, sports, the five senses, plant growth and prehistoric life.

Many of the graphics incorporated both Arabic and English content, bringing together illustrations, diagrams, labels and headings across complete wall elevations. Rather than functioning as individual signs, the treatments transformed large sections of wall into integrated educational displays.

The scale of the graphic compositions required careful coordination during installation. Long visual sequences had to remain aligned while working around doors, electrical devices, air-conditioning controls and other fixed architectural elements. Geometric branding was also applied across entrance atriums and upper-level wall surfaces to create a consistent visual language throughout the schools.

The graphic scope extended to the exterior through a large illustrated mural incorporating themes related to heritage, education, technology and Arabic calligraphy. Together, the interior graphics, branded surfaces and exterior mural formed a coordinated visual layer that complemented the wider fabrication and interior works delivered by Evolution Scenic.

Managing Finishes for a Child-Friendly Environment

The school environment placed particular importance on the preparation and finishing of fabricated elements. Evolution Scenic prioritised child-friendly finishes across the delivered components, ensuring that the completed work was suitable for spaces used regularly by young students.

Painted components were fully cured before delivery, while treated items were ventilated to reduce the presence of residual fumes before entering the school interiors. This made finishing an important part of the wider production process rather than simply a final visual treatment.

The requirement influenced the relationship between workshop fabrication, finishing and installation. Sufficient time needed to be allowed for coatings and treated surfaces to cure and ventilate properly before the completed components were transported and installed on site.

This approach reflected the different requirements of fabrication intended for an occupied educational environment. Alongside appearance and durability, the finishing process needed to consider the suitability of the completed elements for everyday use within classrooms, libraries and other student areas.

Installing the Fit-Out Across Three Schools

Evolution Scenic delivered the fit-out across three separate schools in Abu Dhabi, coordinating fabrication, transport and installation across a range of interior environments.

Each school presented different room dimensions, architectural interfaces and site conditions. The tree bookshelves, counters, seating, wall panels and graphic treatments therefore had to be installed according to their intended locations and coordinated with the surrounding architecture.

The large tree bookshelf represented the most substantial interior installation. At six metres high and 3.5 metres in diameter, its scale required careful coordination of access, assembly and working height, while the wider installation also included slotted wall panels, acoustic treatments, reception counters and educational graphics.

Delivering the complete scope across three schools required close coordination between workshop production, finishing, transport and site installation. The completed fit-out brought together large-scale scenic features, functional joinery and integrated wall treatments within one coordinated delivery package.

Delivering a Complete Educational Interior Package

The completed NCE school environments brought together large-scale scenic features, functional joinery, architectural treatments and educational graphics as one coordinated interior package across three schools.

The tree-form bookshelf created a strong focal point within the libraries, combining the scale of an architectural installation with integrated book storage. Circular cushioned seating supported the surrounding reading areas, while long library counters and entrance registration counters introduced additional functional elements for everyday use.

Slotted wall panels added texture and architectural detail across selected areas, while custom-shaped acoustic panels introduced both sound control and colour within the science rooms. Educational graphics extended the treatment across corridors and classrooms, transforming complete wall elevations into large-format learning surfaces.

Together, these elements demonstrated Evolution Scenic’s ability to combine scenic fabrication, custom manufacturing, functional joinery, graphic production and site installation within an educational environment. The full scope was completed across all three schools ahead of schedule, with painted and treated finishes fully cured and ventilated before delivery for use within spaces occupied by young students.