DESIGNING THE ICE FUTURES SCENIC ENVIRONMENT AT ADGM

ICE Futures Abu Dhabi launched at ADGM on 29 March 2021.

Evolution Scenic developed the scenic design and delivered the complete scenic environment, taking responsibility for the physical integration of the stage architecture, scenic walls, screen surrounds, lecterns, branded structures and flooring. The completed scope included the main stage deck, curved steps, curved backdrop and screen surround, front branded fascia, lecterns, side scenic walls, additional branded scenic structures and flooring.

The environment was developed as a coordinated temporary architectural system rather than a series of independent event components. This required the stage geometry, scenic wall profiles, technical screen openings, branding positions, material transitions and floor finishes to operate as one continuous composition. The project programme was one month, covering the development and delivery of the scenic package at the ADGM venue in Abu Dhabi.

FABRICATING THE CURVED BACKDROP AND SCREEN SURROUNDS

Evolution Scenic fabricated the principal curved scenic backdrop and screen-surround structures using a combination of MDF, plywood, timber framing and metal framing. Timber framing provided the structural basis for much of the scenic construction, while MDF and plywood created the visible architectural surfaces required for paint, laminate and graphic finishes.

Metal framing was incorporated where additional rigidity or structural support was required within the scenic assembly. Producing the curved backdrop required the framing and surface layers to remain dimensionally coordinated. The supporting structure had to maintain the intended scenic profile while providing sufficiently stable surfaces for the final finish.

The large screen openings introduced additional interface requirements. Scenic edges around technical equipment must remain visually clean while allowing the technical systems to sit correctly within the surrounding architecture. The resulting construction combined conventional scenic carpentry with structural support, curved fabrication and accurate finishing around integrated audiovisual elements.

PU PAINT, GRAPHICS AND FINISHING

PU paint provided the principal high-quality scenic finish across the fabricated environment. Large scenic surfaces require careful substrate preparation before painting. Panel joints, fixing points, edge conditions and transitions between individual fabricated sections must be prepared so that they do not remain visible through the final coating. The quality of the painted finish therefore depends heavily on the accuracy of the underlying scenic carpentry.

Vinyl graphics and printed panels were applied to selected surfaces to introduce project identity and detailed branding. Laminate provided an alternative decorative surface where required, introducing additional material variation within the overall scenic package. Illuminated branding added a further layer of fabrication by incorporating light directly into selected branded elements.

These finishes were coordinated across the backdrop, stage fascia, lecterns, side walls and supporting scenic structures to maintain a consistent visual language. The finished result depended on control at every stage, from framing and sheeting through surface preparation, paint application, graphic positioning and final installation.

FABRICATING LECTERNS, SIDE WALLS AND BRANDED ELEMENTS

The main stage environment was supported by a wider package of custom scenic elements. Evolution Scenic fabricated lecterns that followed the same material and branding language as the principal stage. Because lecterns are positioned close to presenters and cameras, their visible faces, joints, graphic alignment and finished edges form an important part of the overall scenic quality.

Side scenic walls extended the architectural language beyond the central backdrop and helped define the boundaries of the presentation environment. Additional branded structures allowed project identity to be incorporated throughout the physical setting rather than being concentrated only around the central screens. Flooring completed the lower visual plane of the environment and helped connect the audience-facing floor treatment with the stage, steps and surrounding scenic structures.

Together, these elements created continuity across the full scenic package.

FABRICATING THE SUPPORTING SCENIC ELEMENTS

The main backdrop was supported by a broader group of fabricated elements. Custom lecterns provided dedicated presentation positions while retaining the same visual identity as the stage. Side scenic walls extended the architecture beyond the principal screen area and helped establish the boundaries of the environment.

Additional branded scenic structures provided further opportunities to integrate identity into the physical space. Flooring completed the composition at ground level, allowing the scenic environment to read continuously from the audience-facing floor through to the raised stage and backdrop.

The project used a broad scenic material palette.MDF and plywood formed the principal sheet materials, supported by timber and metal framing. Acrylic, fabric and laminate were incorporated within the wider scenic package. Selecting the appropriate material for each component allowed Evolution Scenic to combine large architectural surfaces with smaller fabricated details and branded elements. The finished environment therefore depended not on one construction method but on the controlled integration of several scenic disciplines.

INSTALLING THE ENVIRONMENT AT ADGM

The scenic package was installed at the ADGM venue in Abu Dhabi. The overall project programme was one month. During installation, protection was applied to the existing floors and walls to reduce the risk of damage while scenic sections, stage components and finished structures were moved through the venue and positioned. The stage deck, curved scenic elements, screen surrounds, steps, fascia, lecterns, walls and flooring were then brought together on site. Evolution Technical’s screen systems were coordinated with the scenic works during the installation process.

DELIVERING A COMPLETE TEMPORARY SCENIC SYSTEM

The completed ICE Futures environment demonstrates how conference scenery can be approached as temporary architecture rather than conventional event dressing. The stage deck, curved steps, screen surrounds, backdrop, front fascia, lecterns, side scenic walls, graphics, illuminated branding and flooring were developed as interconnected elements within one physical system.

The project combined scenic design development, timber fabrication, metal framing, curved scenic construction, substrate preparation, PU finishing, graphics, branded fabrication and audiovisual integration. Evolution Scenic delivered the scenic architecture, while Evolution Technical supplied the screens incorporated within the finished environment. The resulting installation depended on accurate coordination between structural framing, visible scenic surfaces, technical interfaces and final finishes.

For Evolution Scenic, ICE Futures Abu Dhabi demonstrates the technical value of controlling the complete scenic process from design development through workshop fabrication, finishing and installation within an existing venue.

Why Fabric Is Sometimes Better Than Building A Wall

Scenic fabrication companies are usually associated with timber, steel, paint, CNC machines and power tools. Sometimes, however, the smartest solution is a sewing machine.

Many scenic challenges are approached with the assumption that something solid must be built. A temporary partition becomes a timber wall. A backstage area becomes a series of framed panels. A conference perimeter becomes a substantial scenic structure.

Yet the environment may not actually require a wall. It may simply need separation, visual screening, branding or a change in atmosphere. In those situations, fabric can achieve the same objective faster, lighter and with considerably less installation complexity.

The important question is not whether fabric is better than timber or steel. It is whether a solid structure is genuinely necessary in the first place.

Starting With the Problem, Not the Material

Experienced scenic teams rarely begin a project by selecting a material. They begin by understanding what the finished environment needs to do. Does the installation need to prevent people from passing through it, or does it only need to block a sightline?

Does it need to support screens, shelving or graphics, or is it simply creating a visual boundary?

Will visitors touch the surface?

Does the partition require acoustic performance, complete privacy or impact resistance?

How long will the environment remain installed?

The answers to these questions determine whether the solution should be a timber wall, a metal-framed structure, a tensioned fabric system, traditional drapery or a combination of several methods.

A scenic wall is appropriate when rigidity, durability or load-bearing capacity is required. However, building a substantial structure simply to conceal a backstage route or divide a temporary hall can introduce unnecessary materials, labour, transport and installation time. Fabric offers an alternative that responds directly to the actual requirement.

Drape Systems as Temporary Architecture

Drapery is often treated as decoration, but professionally designed drape systems function as a form of temporary architecture.

Pipe-and-drape systems, ceiling-mounted tracks and ground-supported frames can define rooms, create corridors, conceal service areas and divide large venues without constructing conventional walls. Within an exhibition hall, hundreds of square metres can be reorganised using relatively lightweight components.

The apparent simplicity of these systems should not be confused with a lack of technical planning.

The fabric type, fullness, drop height, suspension method, support spacing and base stability must all be considered. Long fabric drops can be affected by air movement from ventilation systems, opening doors and nearby production equipment. Ground-supported systems must be appropriately weighted and positioned so that they remain stable throughout operation.

Fire performance is another essential consideration. Exhibition halls, conference venues and public environments commonly require fabrics to meet specific flame-retardancy standards, supported by valid certification. The fixing method and proximity to lighting, electrical equipment and escape routes may also influence the final specification.

When these details are resolved properly, drapery can create clean, controlled spaces with very little physical construction.

Temporary Partitions and Back-of-House Masking

One of the most practical uses of fabric is visual masking.

Backstage environments rarely need fully finished architectural walls. They need controlled sightlines that prevent technical equipment, storage areas, preparation zones and operational routes from being visible from public areas.

A fabric masking system can provide this separation quickly while remaining easy to adjust as the layout develops.

This flexibility is particularly useful during installation, when access requirements frequently change. A section of drape can be moved, opened or temporarily removed without dismantling an entire wall. Additional openings can be introduced for crew circulation, equipment movement or emergency access with minimal disruption.

Fabric is also valuable when working around existing venue services. Conventional scenic walls may conflict with fire equipment, access panels, columns, ventilation outlets or electrical infrastructure. Drapery can often be shaped around these elements more easily, provided that all statutory clearances remain unobstructed.

It is important, however, to understand the limitations. Standard drapery provides visual separation, not full acoustic isolation. It will not offer the security, impact resistance or load-bearing performance of a solid partition. Where those requirements exist, a different construction method—or a hybrid solution—will be needed.

Tensioned Fabric Systems

Not every fabric installation needs to look like a curtain.

Tensioned fabric systems can produce crisp, architectural surfaces with very little visible structure. Fabric can be stretched over aluminium profiles, custom frames or purpose-built scenic forms to create seamless walls, overhead features, illuminated elements and branded environments.

The tension removes folds and gives the surface a more controlled appearance. Depending on the material, the fabric may be printed, front-lit, backlit or used as a neutral scenic finish.

Silicone-edge graphic systems are commonly used where graphics need to be installed cleanly and replaced efficiently. The printed textile is tensioned into a perimeter profile, creating a flat visual surface without visible mechanical fixings. This approach is particularly useful for conference environments, exhibition displays and brand activations where messaging may change between installations.

Fabric tension systems can also create complex forms that would be comparatively heavy or time-consuming to produce using rigid sheet materials. Curved surfaces, suspended volumes and large-format illuminated features can often be fabricated using lightweight frames covered with carefully patterned textiles.

The result may appear simple, but it still requires accurate fabrication. Frame geometry, seam positioning, fabric stretch, print alignment and installation sequence must be coordinated closely. Poorly calculated tension can cause creasing, distortion or excessive loading on the supporting structure.

The Logistics Advantage

One of fabric’s greatest strengths becomes apparent before it reaches the venue.

A large scenic wall may require stacks of timber flats, metal frames, protective packaging and dedicated transport. The equivalent area of drapery can often be packed into a comparatively small volume.

This reduction in size and weight can influence the entire delivery strategy.

Fewer vehicles may be required. Loading and unloading become faster. Components are easier to move through service corridors, lifts and restricted loading areas. Installation teams may need less material-handling equipment, and fewer heavy components need to be carried across finished venue floors.

The benefits continue after dismantling. Fabric systems are relatively compact to store and can often be adapted for future projects. A neutral black masking drape, for example, may be used repeatedly in different configurations. Modular frames and tracks can also be reconfigured rather than remanufactured.

Careful handling is still necessary. Fabric must be packed to avoid damage, contamination and severe creasing. Printed textiles require particular protection to prevent scuffing or transfer between surfaces. Storage conditions should also control moisture, dust and prolonged compression.

Lightweight does not mean maintenance-free, but it can significantly simplify the logistics surrounding a temporary environment.

Transforming Conference and Exhibition Venues

Exhibition halls and conference venues are usually designed as large, flexible spaces rather than finished scenic environments. Their scale is useful operationally, but the exposed structure, services and long sightlines can make them feel visually uncontrolled.

Fabric allows scenic teams to reshape these spaces quickly.

Large drape lines can reduce the apparent size of a hall, conceal unused areas and create more deliberate boundaries. Fabric ceilings or overhead treatments can lower the perceived height of a space, while tensioned graphics can introduce colour, branding and visual hierarchy.

This does not necessarily require the venue to be filled with decorative material. Strategic fabric placement can have a greater impact than constructing numerous scenic elements.

A carefully positioned perimeter drape may remove distracting backgrounds from every camera angle. A tensioned fabric wall can establish the main visual identity of a conference environment. A lightweight textile feature can conceal venue architecture while supporting integrated lighting or graphic content.

The effectiveness comes from understanding where the material will make the greatest difference.

When a Wall Is Still the Better Answer

Fabric is not a universal replacement for scenic construction.

A solid wall remains the correct choice when the structure needs to support mounted equipment, resist frequent contact, provide secure separation or achieve a specific acoustic performance. Areas exposed to public interaction may require robust surfaces that can withstand impact and repeated cleaning.

Fabric may also be unsuitable where airflow cannot be controlled, where precise physical protection is required or where the installation must perform for a long period without regular adjustment.

In many projects, the best solution is a hybrid. A rigid lower section can provide impact resistance while fabric completes the upper surface. A lightweight metal frame may carry tensioned graphics while concealed timber reinforcement supports screens or equipment. Solid scenic portals can define entrances, with drapery extending the visual boundary beyond them. The objective is not to avoid construction. It is to build only what the environment genuinely requires. 

Practical Problem Solving Through Fabrication

Good scenic fabrication is not measured by how much material is used. It is measured by how effectively the finished environment performs.

Choosing fabric instead of a wall can reduce weight, shorten installation programmes, simplify transport and make a venue easier to transform. In the right application, it can also provide a cleaner and more adaptable result.

That decision still depends on professional judgement. Fabric specification, fire certification, support systems, tension, seam placement, access and installation methodology all require proper consideration.

The most experienced scenic teams understand that practical problem solving often means challenging the most obvious construction method. Sometimes the answer is timber. Sometimes it is steel. And sometimes a few hundred metres of fabric will outperform both.

Creating an Integrated Scenic Environment for the ADNOC AI Pledge Event

The ADNOC AI Pledge Event was held at the ADNOC Energy Center in Abu Dhabi in 2024. The project was delivered as a brand launch and required a contemporary scenic environment capable of integrating staging, digital displays, branded architecture and technical production infrastructure. Evolution Scenic worked for the event producer and was responsible for design development, technical drawings, engineering, fabrication, graphics production, installation and dismantling.

Every listed scenic element was fabricated by Evolution Scenic. The scope included a large timber-built wall with vinyl branding, a custom carpeted stage, side-wing décor walls, Forex screen cladding, branding walls, an MDF-and-acrylic “Energy AI” logo and technical hider counters.

Developing the Scenic Package

The project required more than the manufacture of a single backdrop. The presentation environment extended across a central screen, side display areas, long scenic walls and a raised stage. These elements needed to appear visually connected while accommodating the dimensions and access requirements of the technical systems. Evolution Scenic developed the creative concept into a coordinated set of technical drawings. This allowed the relationship between the scenic walls, display openings, stage platform, wing structures, dimensional logo and technical hiders to be resolved before fabrication.

The completed scenic design used a series of stepped and angled upper profiles. These broke up the length of the backdrop and helped create an architectural silhouette around the display technology. Because the graphic treatment continued across multiple scenic sections, the physical construction and artwork setting out needed to be developed together. Wall dimensions, panel joints and screen openings all influenced the final position of the printed imagery.

Treating the Screens as Part of the Scenery

Large digital displays formed an important part of the presentation environment. Rather than allowing the screens to sit as exposed technical components, Evolution Scenic fabricated Forex cladding and surrounding scenic walls to integrate them into the overall branded composition.

The central and side display areas were framed by dark graphic surfaces carrying the event’s digital visual language. The screen surrounds continued the colours, patterns and angular forms of the wider scenic treatment.

This approach reduced the visual distinction between the physical scenery and the digital content. The displays became openings within a fabricated environment rather than separate items placed in front of a backdrop. Screen integration required accurate dimensional coordination. The scenic surrounds needed to fit cleanly around the installed technology while preserving access, sightlines and finished edges. The source does not confirm whether the screens or technical systems were supplied by Evolution Scenic.

Fabricating the Main Timber Wall

The large branded wall provided the principal scenic structure across the venue. Timber construction offered a flexible method for creating the extended wall runs and stepped upper profiles. It also provided a suitable base for the graphic cladding and adjoining scenic elements.

The exact internal framing, sheet material and module dimensions have not been supplied. However, the confirmed use of a wooden wall establishes timber scenic construction as a central part of the build. Fabrication accuracy was particularly important across the stepped profile. Adjacent wall sections needed to connect without disrupting the silhouette or the printed graphic treatment.

Producing the wall in workshop-manageable sections would normally support transport and installation, but the source does not confirm the number or dimensions of the modules. Once assembled, the wall formed a continuous visual background around the main presentation area and established the dominant scale of the temporary environment.

Manufacturing the Carpeted Stage

Evolution Scenic also fabricated the custom stage. The raised platform established the primary presentation level and created a defined foreground in front of the branded walls and display systems. Carpet provided the confirmed finish across the stage surface. This created a clean, controlled plane and separated the stage visually from the patterned venue flooring.

The stage geometry needed to coordinate with the scenic background and the practical requirements of the brand launch. Edge alignment, surface finish and the relationship with the screens were therefore part of the wider scenic development.

Producing Dimensional Brand Elements

The “Energy AI” identity was manufactured from MDF and acrylic. Using layered manufactured materials gave the logo physical depth and allowed it to function as a scenic feature rather than a flat graphic application. MDF provided a practical material for cutting and forming the required letter and logo profiles. Acrylic introduced a contrasting finished surface and supported the cleaner technical character of the event branding.

The source describes the completed element as a custom MDF-and-acrylic logo but does not confirm its dimensions, fixing system, surface finish or whether it incorporated illumination. Additional branding walls and vinyl graphics extended the identity across the environment. The visual language remained consistent across the timber construction, Forex screen cladding and supporting scenic surfaces.

Concealing Technical Equipment

A major operational requirement was the integration of technical production equipment. Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated technical hider counters to conceal equipment and reduce visual disruption within the completed environment. This was a functional part of the scenic scope. The hiders needed to screen the technical positions while allowing the production equipment to remain accessible and usable.

The counters were developed as part of the same visual system as the stage and walls, preventing the technical areas from appearing as temporary additions. Project imagery shows the scale of the control and display infrastructure positioned close to the scenic environment. The hider elements helped maintain a clear boundary between the public-facing scenic finish and the operating production areas.

Coordinating Materials and Graphic Finishes

The confirmed construction palette included timber, carpet, Forex, MDF, acrylic and vinyl graphics.

Each material served a distinct purpose within the scenic package. Timber created the principal architectural structure. Carpet finished the stage. Forex provided smooth screen cladding. MDF and acrylic produced the dimensional identity. Vinyl graphics carried the brand treatment across the scenic walls and display surrounds.

The use of applied graphics across several substrates required coordinated artwork production and installation. Graphic panels needed to align across scenic joints and respond to the openings created for screens and other technical elements. The imagery shows a dark blue and black scenic environment with fine digital patterns and brighter blue areas surrounding the displays. The treatment extended across the wide backdrop and helped connect the physical scenery with the on-screen content.

Addressing Sustainability Engineering and Technical Development

Evolution Scenic’s confirmed role included engineering as well as technical drawing production. This allowed the scenic elements to be developed with their installation, stability and technical interfaces considered from the outset. Large wall sections required stable construction and secure installation. The raised stage required a consistent and safe finished surface. Screen cladding needed to avoid interference with the display systems, while the technical hiders had to function around operating production equipment.

The source does not provide structural calculations, fixing details, loading information or formal approval records. These have therefore not been inferred. The engineering significance of the project lies primarily in coordination: resolving multiple fabricated and technical elements into one accurately installed environment within a tight programme.

Sustainability formed part of the project brief. The original project page confirms that environmentally responsible materials were selected to align with ADNOC’s sustainability objectives. Evolution Scenic’s normal methodology can include efficient material scheduling, workshop-controlled manufacturing and consideration of reuse during dismantling. Those practices should not be attributed to this project without supporting records.

Installing the Complete Environment

Installation took place at the ADNOC Energy Center. The project page describes the programme as time-critical and the logistics as complex, although no specific installation duration or venue restrictions are identified. The scenic package needed to be installed in an order that allowed the main wall structures, screens, stage, graphics and technical hiders to be positioned without obstructing one another.

Final graphic alignment and scenic finishing would have followed the assembly and setting out of the principal structures. This is normal scenic installation methodology and is not presented as a confirmed project sequence. The wide backdrop required careful alignment across multiple scenic sections. Screen interfaces and stepped wall profiles had to remain consistent when viewed from across the room.

The completed environment presented the ADNOC AI Pledge identity across a coherent scenic backdrop. The screen surrounds, timber wall, side wings, carpeted stage, dimensional logo, technical hiders and graphics were visually connected through their geometry and surface treatment. The finished build created an architectural setting around the event technology while concealing much of the supporting infrastructure.

This was the key outcome of the scenic fabrication process: a functional brand-launch environment in which staging, graphics and technical integration were considered together. Evolution Scenic’s involvement across design development, engineering, manufacturing, installation and dismantling ensured that the scenic package was delivered as one coordinated scope rather than through disconnected fabrication workstreams.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Evolution Scenic designed, fabricated, installed and dismantled the SES Exhibition Lounge for the Saudi Event Show 2023, delivered at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC).

The project was developed as a complete temporary exhibition environment rather than a series of individual branded elements. The scenic package combined architectural wall construction, custom joinery, furniture integration, technical displays, dimensional branding and an overhead suspended fabric treatment within one coordinated lounge.

The physical environment needed to support several functions within the same footprint. Visitors required comfortable seating areas, standing networking positions, coffee-service facilities and access to digital exhibition information, while the overall space still needed to read as one visually connected installation.

Evolution Scenic therefore approached the lounge as a piece of temporary exhibition architecture. White scenic walls established the main enclosure and visual framework. Contrasting dark joinery helped define functional areas, while the suspended blue fabric feature created a recognisable architectural layer above the lounge.

The project also brought together several Evolution disciplines. Evolution Scenic delivered the primary scenic construction and custom-fabricated elements. Evolution Furniture supplied the chairs, sofas and coffee tables, while Evolution Technical supplied the integrated display screens.

Evolution Scenic fabricated the dimensional logos used within the lounge. Wall graphics and printed fabric were produced by specialist outsourced suppliers and coordinated into the finished environment.

The confirmed overall project programme was 15 days, including the scenic delivery process. Following the Saudi Event Show, Evolution Scenic was also responsible for dismantling the temporary installation.

MODULAR SCENIC CONSTRUCTION & FABRICATION

The main SES Exhibition Lounge environment was manufactured as workshop-built modular scenic sections before being transported to RICEC for installation.

The confirmed construction materials included MDF, plywood, timber framing, metal framing, acrylic and laminate.

Using a combination of materials allowed different parts of the lounge to be fabricated according to their functional and visual requirements. MDF and plywood provided suitable substrates for scenic walls and custom joinery, while timber and metal framing supported the internal construction of the modular elements.

The scenic structures were manufactured in sections rather than constructed entirely inside the exhibition hall. This meant much of the cutting, assembly, preparation and finishing could be completed under controlled workshop conditions before delivery.

For temporary scenic construction, modular fabrication is particularly useful where site access and installation periods are restricted. The methodology allows substantial sections of an exhibition environment to arrive at the venue already manufactured and finished, reducing the amount of primary construction required on the exhibition floor.

The modular sections also needed to connect accurately once positioned on site. Alignment between scenic walls, custom counters, technical openings and neighbouring structures was therefore important to achieving the finished appearance.

The construction had to visually conceal the temporary nature of the build. Once assembled, the environment needed to appear as a continuous interior rather than a visible collection of transportable modules.

Particular attention would normally be given to junctions, panel alignment, edge conditions and connection points when producing modular scenic environments. These are normal Evolution Scenic fabrication considerations rather than confirmed project-specific technical details.

The modular methodology also supported the eventual dismantling of the lounge. Because the environment was temporary from the outset, the construction needed to be suitable for installation and subsequent removal after the exhibition.

No confirmed information has been supplied regarding exact panel thicknesses, internal framing dimensions or mechanical fixing systems, so these details are not assumed.

CUSTOM JOINERY, COFFEE BAR & FURNITURE

Custom joinery played an important role in transforming the lounge from a basic exhibition enclosure into a functional hospitality and networking environment. One of the principal fabricated elements was the custom coffee bar. Rather than placing a standard catering counter inside the lounge, the bar was developed as part of the wider scenic architecture. Its darker finish created visual contrast against the predominantly white scenic walls and helped establish a defined hospitality zone within the environment.

The coffee bar had to function operationally while maintaining the standard of finish expected from the surrounding scenic construction. This relationship between functionality and appearance is a key consideration in exhibition joinery, where counters and furniture are often highly visible components of the completed environment.

Evolution Scenic also fabricated custom standing networking tables specifically for the project.

Producing these tables as bespoke pieces allowed their appearance to remain consistent with the lounge rather than introducing unrelated off-the-shelf furniture into the scenic composition.

Their integration contributed to the overall visual language of the space while providing practical standing positions for informal discussions and networking. The wider furniture package was supplied by Evolution Furniture.

The supplied furniture was positioned within the zones created by the scenic construction, allowing the modular walls, furniture and circulation areas to function together.

This coordination between fabricated joinery and loose furniture helped maintain consistency throughout the lounge. The custom elements established the architectural character, while the furniture completed the operational seating and hospitality requirements. The project therefore involved more than manufacturing wall structures. Scenic fabrication extended into the functional components visitors physically interacted with throughout the exhibition.

SCENIC FINISHES, GRAPHICS & BRAND INTEGRATION

The fabricated scenic environment received PU-painted finishes. PU paint was used across the fabricated scenic surfaces to create the clean, controlled appearance required throughout the lounge. The predominantly white architectural treatment provided a neutral scenic background, while darker elements such as the coffee bar introduced stronger contrast between different functional areas.

A high-quality scenic finish is particularly important on exhibition projects because walls, counters and branded elements are viewed at relatively close range. Surface preparation, edge quality and consistency across adjoining fabricated sections all contribute to the final presentation. 

Evolution Scenic also fabricated the dimensional logos used within the SES Exhibition Lounge. Rather than relying entirely on printed branding, the dimensional elements introduced physical depth into the graphic treatment and allowed branding to become part of the scenic construction.

The wall graphics themselves were produced by an outsourced specialist supplier. Similarly, the printed fabric was outsourced rather than manufactured directly by Evolution Scenic. Evolution Scenic coordinated these specialist components with the workshop-built scenic package so that the printed surfaces and fabricated structures formed a consistent finished environment. This distinction is important when describing the project accurately. Evolution Scenic fabricated the physical scenic environment and logos while specialist suppliers produced the confirmed printed graphic and fabric components.

The scenic walls provided the substrates, proportions and architectural framework into which these graphic treatments were installed. The result was a layered branded environment using several methods simultaneously. dimensional fabricated logos, PU-painted scenic surfaces, applied wall graphics and printed fabric treatments. Together, these elements created a stronger visual environment than graphics alone could have achieved.

Creating the Floating Fabric Ceiling

The most visually distinctive part of the lounge was positioned overhead. Repeated blue fabric elements were suspended across the space using metal rods, creating a floating ceiling installation above the scenic walls and furniture. The individual pieces established a strong rhythm through the lounge and gave the temporary build a recognisable identity from several viewpoints within the exhibition hall.

Unlike a solid scenic ceiling, the repeated fabric elements allowed the overhead treatment to remain visually lightweight. This was particularly suited to an exhibition environment where the structure needed to define the lounge without attempting to reproduce the construction of a permanent room. The ceiling also extended the blue graphic language vertically through the installation, connecting the overhead environment with the blue accents used around the seating and display areas.

The confirmed construction information identifies fabric and metal rods. Printed fabric production was outsourced. The precise textile specification, rod sections, attachment details and suspension engineering are not available in the supplied project records and have therefore not been assumed. From a scenic perspective, the feature demonstrates how fabric can be used as an architectural material within temporary construction rather than simply as surface decoration.

SUSPENDED FABRIC CEILING FEATURE

One of the defining scenic elements of the SES Exhibition Lounge was the suspended blue fabric ceiling treatment. The feature was constructed using fabric and metal rods, creating a repeated overhead composition above the lounge. Rather than installing a conventional solid scenic ceiling, the project used individual suspended fabric elements to create a lightweight architectural layer.

This approach helped establish a strong visual boundary above the lounge while allowing the environment to remain open within the much larger volume of the RICEC exhibition hall. The repeated fabric forms introduced rhythm across the ceiling and helped visually connect different parts of the lounge beneath them. Their blue colour also provided contrast against the white scenic wall construction and reinforced the visual identity of the environment.

The overhead installation demonstrates how fabric can be used as a three-dimensional scenic construction material rather than simply as a printed graphic surface. Supported by metal rods, the fabric became part of the spatial architecture of the lounge. The feature also helped give the environment a recognisable profile when viewed from different positions within the exhibition hall. The scenic identity was therefore established not only through the walls and furniture at floor level but also through the space above them.

Printed fabric production was undertaken by an outsourced specialist supplier. The exact fabric specification, individual rod sizes, suspension points and fixing details have not been supplied. These technical details are therefore not presented as confirmed project information. From a scenic fabrication perspective, however, the feature demonstrates the importance of coordinating lightweight textile elements with fabricated architectural structures to create a complete temporary environment.

TECHNICAL INTEGRATION, SITE INSTALLATION & VENUE PROTECTION

The lounge incorporated integrated digital display screens supplied by Evolution Technical. The screens were strategically positioned throughout the environment to show exhibition information and provide an overview of Evolution's contribution as a sponsor.

Rather than treating the screens as freestanding audiovisual equipment, they were visually incorporated into the scenic wall construction. This required coordination between the scenic and technical packages.

The scenic walls needed to provide suitable locations and finished architectural surrounds for the screens, while the display technology needed to align accurately with the visible wall openings.

Integrating technical equipment into scenic fabrication helps reduce visual clutter and allows screens to appear as intentional parts of the architecture. Once workshop fabrication was complete, the modular scenic elements were transported to the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center for site installation.

Because the principal components had already been manufactured as modular sections, the venue phase focused on assembling and aligning the scenic environment and integrating the remaining packages. The site installation brought together: scenic wall sections, custom joinery, dimensional logos, outsourced graphics, suspended fabric elements, furniture and technical displays.

Floor protection was a confirmed venue requirement. This was particularly important during installation and dismantling because fabricated wall sections, metal components, tools, furniture and technical equipment needed to be moved through the exhibition space without damaging the existing venue surfaces.

On temporary exhibition projects, installation would normally also require coordination between scenic, technical, furniture and venue teams so that each package can be introduced in a controlled sequence. This represents normal project methodology and is not presented as a confirmed detailed installation sequence for the SES Exhibition Lounge. The exact installation duration, crew numbers and access schedule have not been supplied separately from the confirmed 15-day overall programme.

PROJECT DELIVERY, DISMANTLING & OUTCOME

The SES Exhibition Lounge was delivered through a confirmed 15-day overall programme. Within that programme, Evolution Scenic manufactured and delivered a temporary environment combining several different areas of scenic production.

The completed lounge incorporated modular PU-painted wall structures, custom joinery, bespoke standing tables, dimensional branding, graphic surfaces, integrated display technology, lounge furniture and the distinctive suspended fabric ceiling.

What appeared as a simple and clean exhibition lounge was therefore the result of multiple coordinated fabrication and supply packages. The modular scenic walls established the architecture.

The custom coffee bar and networking tables provided functional joinery. The suspended fabric installation defined the environment overhead. Dimensional logos and outsourced graphics provided branding.

Evolution Furniture completed the seating areas. Evolution Technical integrated the digital display package. Together, these components created one connected temporary interior rather than a collection of independent exhibition products.

The project also demonstrates the practical importance of designing scenic environments around their full lifecycle. Evolution Scenic was responsible not only for fabrication and installation but also for dismantling the lounge after the exhibition.

The environment therefore needed to perform successfully during the Saudi Event Show while remaining suitable for controlled removal once the exhibition had finished.

The final installation demonstrated Evolution Scenic's capabilities across scenic fabrication, modular exhibition construction, bespoke joinery, PU scenic finishing, dimensional branding, temporary architecture and technical integration.