Innovation competitions need event environments that can present complex ideas clearly while encouraging interaction between finalists, judges, industry leaders and visitors. For the FoodTech Challenge 2023 at ADNEC during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Evolution Scenic delivered a coordinated scenic environment for a global competition focused on advancing food technology solutions.

Launched under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organised by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen, the 2023 edition brought together 12 finalist teams selected from 667 submissions across 79 countries. Evolution Scenic’s scope included a bespoke exhibition showcase, interactive engagement zones, themed branding, a dedicated finalist presentation stage and sustainable scenic fabrication.

The Challenge

The FoodTech Challenge needed to support both exhibition and competition functions within one cohesive environment.

The 12 finalist teams required dedicated spaces to present their food technology innovations, while visitors needed clear opportunities to explore and engage with the solutions on display.

The event also required a formal presentation environment for finalist pitches and an awards ceremony, meaning the scenic package had to move between exhibition, interaction and high-profile stage content without losing visual consistency.

Sustainability was another important consideration, with the material approach needing to reflect the objectives of the wider competition.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated a bespoke exhibition environment tailored to the finalist showcase.

Custom exhibition structures were created to provide each team with a clear and professional platform for presenting its innovation.

Interactive zones were integrated into the wider layout, giving guests opportunities to engage more directly with the technologies and concepts on display.

Themed scenic elements and branding were developed across the event environment to reinforce the FoodTech Challenge identity and connect the exhibition, interaction areas and presentation spaces.

A dedicated awards stage and finalist presentation area were also designed and installed to support live pitches and the closing awards ceremony.

Eco-friendly materials were incorporated into the scenic construction to align the physical environment more closely with the event’s sustainability objectives.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the FoodTech Challenge 2023.

• Event held at ADNEC during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

• 12 finalist teams.

• Finalists selected from 667 submissions.

• Entries from 79 countries.

• Bespoke exhibition showcase.

• Custom finalist display environments.

• Interactive guest engagement zones.

• Themed event branding.

• Sustainability-led scenic treatment.

• Dedicated finalist presentation stage.

• Awards ceremony environment.

• Sustainable scenic fabrication.

• Eco-friendly material use.

• Exhibition, presentation and interaction zones.

• Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed FoodTech Challenge environment created a clear and engaging platform for the 12 finalists to present innovative food technology solutions to an international audience.

The exhibition structures gave each team a defined presentation space, while the interactive zones encouraged greater visitor engagement with the technologies on display. The dedicated presentation and awards stage supported the competitive programme and gave the event a strong central focal point.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver innovation-focused event environments where exhibition fabrication, interactive engagement, stage presentation and sustainability considerations all need to work together within one coordinated scenic package.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Exhibition fabrication, finalist showcase environments, interactive zones, themed scenic branding, presentation stage, awards setup, sustainable material integration, delivery and installation.

Why A Great Render Doesn't Always Make A Great Scenic Build

Renders are incredibly useful. They help communicate ideas, establish visual direction and allow clients, designers and fabrication teams to understand an environment before anything is manufactured. A strong render can explain scale, composition, colour, branding, lighting and atmosphere more effectively than pages of written description.

It can also create the impression that the project has already been resolved. That is where problems can begin. A render only needs to look convincing from a chosen viewpoint. A scenic structure must be engineered, fabricated, transported, installed and operated safely in the real world. It has to stand correctly, fit through the available access routes, respond to the venue conditions and perform reliably throughout its intended use.

The difference between those two requirements matters. A beautifully rendered structure may contain large unsupported elements, extremely slender profiles or apparently seamless surfaces. Materials with completely different weights and structural properties may look identical on screen. Connections, access panels, lifting points, base plates, ballast, service routes and installation tolerances are often invisible.

This does not make the render inaccurate. It simply means the render represents the visual intention of the project rather than the complete solution. 

A Render Communicates Intent, Not Construction

A render is usually designed to answer visual questions. What will the environment look like? How will the main feature appear within the venue? Does the branding feel integrated? Are the proportions, finishes and lighting appropriate?

Those are important questions, but they are not the same questions a fabrication team must answer.

Fabricators need to understand what supports the structure, how loads travel through it, where components divide, how the finishes are applied and how the entire environment will be assembled. They also need to consider whether the structure can be transported efficiently and installed within the time, access and working restrictions of the venue.

Perspective, lighting and camera position can conceal many of these practical issues. A cantilever may look lightweight because its support is outside the rendered viewpoint. A wall may appear perfectly smooth because no joints are visible. A suspended feature may look effortless even though the venue does not permit rigging in the required location.

The render may still communicate the correct design. It simply cannot communicate every technical condition at the same time.

Technical Development Turns The Concept Into A Buildable System

Technical development is the process that connects visual ambition with physical reality. At Evolution Scenic, this stage involves examining the rendered concept and identifying how it can be divided into components that are practical to manufacture, transport and assemble. Structural grids, framing systems, connection details, access panels, service routes and installation tolerances begin to replace visual assumptions with defined construction information.

This is not about redesigning the concept unnecessarily. The objective is to preserve the qualities that make the render effective while developing a build methodology that works outside the image. The overall form, proportion and finish may remain unchanged, even though the structure behind them develops considerably.

Large scenic forms may need to be divided into transportable modules. Apparently seamless surfaces may require carefully positioned joints. Curved elements may be developed as CNC-machined ribs, rolled metal frames, laminated timber forms or lightweight composite skins, depending on the scale and performance required.

The better this technical development is resolved, the fewer surprises are likely to emerge in the workshop or during installation.

Engineering Reviews Reveal What The Image Cannot Show

Engineering reviews are particularly important for large activations, temporary public structures, parade floats and exhibition environments. A visual element that appears simple may introduce significant structural questions. Its height, weight, centre of gravity, supporting surface and exposure to movement or wind can all affect how it should be constructed.

The engineering process considers load paths, bracing, connection strength, base conditions and overall stability. It may also examine dynamic forces created by moving platforms, suspended components or interactive elements. For temporary structures, the engineering solution must often work without permanent connections to the venue. This can require carefully designed base frames, ballast systems or temporary fixings that remain concealed within the finished scenic treatment.

The most successful engineering solutions are rarely the most visible. They allow the completed structure to retain the apparent simplicity of the render while providing the support and stability that the physical environment requires. 

Material Selection Is About More Than Appearance

Materials that look similar in a render may behave very differently during fabrication.

A surface represented as a single coloured plane could potentially be manufactured from plywood, MDF, aluminium composite panel, sheet metal, fabric, acrylic, fibreglass or another specialist scenic material. Each option introduces different implications for weight, strength, finish quality, fire performance, transport and installation.

Material selection should therefore begin with the role the component needs to perform. A structural frame may require steel where rigidity is important, while aluminium may be more suitable where weight reduction and repeated handling are priorities. CNC-machined timber components may provide an efficient way to create complex geometry, while lightweight cladding can reduce pressure on supporting frames and installation crews.

The finish matters as well. High-contact areas may require greater durability than surfaces positioned beyond reach. Components intended for repeated use need finishes that can survive transportation, storage, touch-ups and multiple installation cycles. A render shows how the material should appear. Technical development determines what that material should actually be.

Venue Restrictions Shape The Build

A structure may fit comfortably within the final exhibition hall while being impossible to move through the loading bay that serves it.

This is one of the most common differences between rendered scale and installation reality.

Loading-door dimensions, goods lifts, corridors, turning circles, ceiling heights and floor loading restrictions can all influence how scenic elements must be divided. Venue rules may also restrict hot works, noisy operations, overhead lifting or the use of certain equipment.

These conditions should be reviewed before fabrication begins.

Large scenic features often need to be designed as a sequence of smaller modules that can move through the available access routes and then connect accurately on site. The location of those divisions must be coordinated with structural requirements, scenic finishes and the final viewing angles.

Good modularization should not make the completed structure look modular. Joints can be concealed within graphic lines, shadow gaps, changes in material or natural divisions in the design. When access constraints are considered early, they become part of the methodology rather than an installation-day problem.

Installation Methodology Should Influence The Design

A scenic structure is not fully resolved until there is a practical plan for assembling it.

Installation methodology considers the sequence in which components arrive, how they are unloaded, where they are temporarily stored and how they connect. It also identifies the crew, tools, access equipment and lifting methods required.

The order of assembly can influence the design itself.

Some connections must remain accessible until later stages of the installation. Electrical or lighting systems may need to be installed before cladding closes the structure. Large components may require lifting points, temporary braces or alignment features that disappear once the build is complete.

Workshop pre-assembly is often valuable because it allows modules, finishes and connection details to be tested in a controlled environment. Components can be labelled, adjusted and packed according to the installation sequence before reaching site.

This preparation is particularly important where venue access is limited or installation programmes are compressed. Every issue resolved in the workshop is one less issue competing for attention on site.

Value Engineering Should Protect The Visual Intent

Value engineering is sometimes misunderstood as a process of making the project cheaper by removing quality. Done properly, it is the process of identifying what matters most within the concept and finding the most efficient way to deliver it.

The fabrication team may determine that an expensive material is only required in high-visibility areas, while a more practical alternative can be used elsewhere. Repeated components may be standardised. Hidden framing may be simplified. A heavy construction method may be replaced with a lighter modular system that produces the same finished appearance.

The objective is not to weaken the render. It is to protect the qualities that make the render successful while reducing unnecessary cost, weight, labour or installation risk. Early value engineering also gives clients and designers more control. Decisions can be reviewed while there is still time to compare options, rather than being forced during fabrication or installation. 

Different Scenic Projects Expose Different Challenges

The gap between a render and a build appears differently depending on the project.

A large brand activation may contain dramatic cantilevers, integrated screens and complex illuminated surfaces. A public structure may need to account for weather exposure, public interaction and concealed ballast. An exhibition environment may be governed by strict loading schedules, limited access and venue regulations.

Parade floats introduce another layer of complexity. The scenic structure must respond to acceleration, braking, vibration, cornering and changing wind conditions while remaining within the limits of the vehicle platform.

In each case, the render remains an essential communication tool. It establishes the ambition. The fabrication process determines how that ambition can perform safely and successfully.

Collaboration Produces Better Builds

The strongest projects are rarely those where nothing changes after the render.

They are the projects where designers, engineers and scenic fabricators work together to understand which parts of the concept are essential and which details can be refined.

Early collaboration creates space for better decisions. Materials can be tested. Structural assumptions can be reviewed. Access constraints can be incorporated. Prototypes and mock-ups can confirm finishes, geometry and assembly details before full production begins.

Evolution Scenic’s role is not to reduce the ambition of a render. It is to help turn that ambition into an engineered, manufacturable and installable environment.

A successful scenic build should still feel like the original concept.

It should simply contain far more intelligence than the final image could ever show.

A great render is the beginning of a project.

Not the end of one.

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 & 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 & 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.

Major industry exhibitions require stands that communicate complex ideas clearly while maintaining a strong visual identity and a high standard of finish. For ADIPEC 2022 in Abu Dhabi, Evolution Scenic designed and produced the ADNOC stand within the Smart Manufacturing Zone, creating a premium exhibition environment centred on innovation, technology and sustainability.

The stand was divided into dedicated content zones focused on Offshore & Marine, Digitalization in Energy, Smart Manufacturing and Decarbonization. Across these areas, Evolution Scenic combined bespoke scenic fabrication, structural elements, premium finishes, digital displays and interactive presentation tools to create a cohesive visitor experience.

The Challenge

The ADNOC stand needed to present several technically complex subject areas within one clearly structured exhibition environment.

Each zone had to communicate a different focus while remaining visually consistent with ADNOC’s wider brand identity. The stand also needed to accommodate digital content, interactive presentation tools and AVL equipment without allowing the technology to dominate the physical environment.

The challenge was therefore to balance scenic fabrication, spatial organisation, branding and digital integration so that visitors could move through the stand easily and understand the different themes being presented.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated a series of dedicated exhibition zones around the key themes of Offshore & Marine, Digitalization in Energy, Smart Manufacturing and Decarbonization.

Custom scenic structures and branded architectural elements were produced to give each zone a distinct function while maintaining a consistent overall visual language across the stand.

Premium finishes were applied throughout the fabrication to align with ADNOC’s corporate identity and the high-profile nature of the exhibition.

Digital screens, AVL equipment and interactive presentation tools were integrated into the scenic environment to support visitor engagement and allow technical information to be communicated in a more dynamic format.

By coordinating physical fabrication with digital presentation infrastructure, Evolution Scenic created an exhibition stand that worked as a complete environment rather than a collection of individual displays.

Delivery Highlights

• ADNOC exhibition stand for ADIPEC 2022.
• Location within the Smart Manufacturing Zone.
• Bespoke exhibition stand design and fabrication.
• Dedicated Offshore & Marine zone.
• Digitalization in Energy zone.
• Smart Manufacturing zone.
• Decarbonization zone.
• Precision scenic fabrication.
• Custom structural components.
• Premium branded finishes.
• Integrated digital screens.
• AVL equipment integration.
• Interactive presentation tools.
• Branded scenic elements.
• Multi-zone visitor environment.
• Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed ADNOC stand created a strong and cohesive presence within the Smart Manufacturing Zone at ADIPEC 2022.

The four themed areas provided clear environments for communicating ADNOC’s activities and future-focused initiatives, while the integration of digital displays and interactive tools added depth to the visitor experience.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver high-profile exhibition environments where bespoke fabrication, branding, structural detailing and digital integration need to work together to communicate complex industry content clearly and professionally.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Exhibition design, scenic fabrication, structural components, branded environments, premium finishes, digital display integration, interactive presentation elements, delivery and installation.

Youth-focused forums need environments that feel professional enough to support serious discussion while remaining open, engaging and accessible to participants. For the ADSW Youth Circle during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018, Evolution delivered a tailored event environment designed to support dialogue around sustainability and renewable energy.

Hosted in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the Ministry of Youth Affairs at the ADSW VIP Majlis in ICC Hall, the initiative brought together students from across the Emirates. Evolution’s scope included a custom stage, branded scenic elements, tailored event furniture and scenic backdrops with integrated AV, creating a cohesive setting for keynote content, interactive discussions and video coverage.

The Challenge

The Youth Circle required an environment that could support both formal content and open discussion among young participants.

The stage needed to accommodate keynote addresses and interactive sessions, while the wider venue had to remain visually aligned with the sustainability focus of ADSW.

Furniture, branding and technical infrastructure also needed to contribute to a comfortable and professional participant experience without making the space feel overly formal.

The Solution

Evolution developed a coordinated scenic package tailored to the needs of the youth-focused programme.

A custom stage environment was designed and built to support keynote addresses and interactive discussion formats.

Branded scenic elements were fabricated and installed throughout the venue to create a consistent visual identity aligned with the wider ADSW environment and sustainability theme.

Modern seating and event furniture were supplied to support participant comfort and encourage engagement throughout the sessions.

Scenic backdrops were also developed with integrated AV elements, supporting presentations and high-quality video coverage while keeping the technical infrastructure visually connected to the event environment.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the ADSW Youth Circle.

• Part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018.

• Hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

• Event held at the ADSW VIP Majlis in ICC Hall.

• Participation by students from across the Emirates.

• Custom stage environment.

• Interactive discussion setting.

• Branded scenic elements.

• Sustainability-led event identity.

• Tailored event furniture.

• Modern seating arrangements.

• Scenic backdrops.

• Integrated AV elements.

• Video coverage support.

• Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed ADSW Youth Circle environment provided a clear and engaging setting for young participants to discuss sustainability and renewable energy.

The custom stage supported keynote and interactive content, while the branded scenic treatment gave the venue a consistent visual identity. Furniture and integrated AV helped create a comfortable and functional setting for both in-room participation and recorded content.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver youth and education-focused event environments where staging, branding, participant comfort and technical integration all need to work together within one cohesive space.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic production, custom stage, branded scenic elements, event furniture, scenic backdrops, AV integration, delivery and installation.

Waterfront sporting events require temporary environments that can support hospitality, presentations, guest movement and family engagement while responding to the character of the event itself. For Mubadala Sail GP at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, Evolution Scenic designed and built a temporary venue positioned next to the docks, creating a functional and visually cohesive setting aligned with the energy of high-performance sailing.

The scope included a 3-metre by 15-metre curved stage, twin scenic backdrops, an LED screen, ambient lighting, custom wall treatments, guest transport support and interactive family features. Together, these elements created a flexible event environment that combined presentation, hospitality and visitor engagement within a temporary waterfront setting.

The Challenge

The project required a complete temporary venue to be delivered next to the docks while supporting several different functions within one coordinated environment.

The main presentation area needed a substantial scenic stage with digital content and lighting, while the surrounding venue required custom wall finishes capable of presenting a consistent appearance internally and externally.

Guest movement also needed to be considered, particularly between parking and the event venue.

At the same time, the experience had to accommodate families and younger visitors through dedicated interactive areas, all while remaining aligned with health and safety requirements, the approved design intent and the available budget.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic developed the venue around a custom curved stage measuring 3000mm x 15000mm.

Two scenic backdrops were incorporated into the stage environment, with an LED screen positioned as the central visual feature. Ambient lighting was integrated to strengthen the atmosphere and support the wider presentation programme.

Custom walling was fabricated for the temporary venue using prefabricated plastic slotted details at the top and bottom, with vinyl graphics applied through the central sections. The same treatment was coordinated across the interior and exterior of the tent to create a consistent overall finish.

To improve guest access, a golf cart service was provided between the parking area and the event venue.

A dedicated children’s area was also created, incorporating a live water pool and a Marlin Spike knot-tying station. These features introduced an interactive maritime element that connected the family experience with the wider sailing theme.

The full scenic package was delivered in accordance with health and safety requirements while remaining aligned with the proposed design and budget.

Delivery Highlights

• Temporary waterfront venue for Mubadala Sail GP.

• Installation next to the docks at Emirates Palace.

• 3000mm x 15000mm curved stage.

• Two custom scenic backdrops.

• Central LED screen.

• Ambient stage lighting.

• Custom internal and external walling.

• Prefabricated plastic slotted wall details.

• Integrated vinyl graphics.

• Cohesive tent interior and exterior treatment.

• Golf cart guest transport service.

• Dedicated children’s play area.

• Live water pool.

• Marlin Spike knot-tying activity station.

• Family engagement features.

• Health and safety compliance.

• Delivery aligned with approved design and budget.

• Temporary venue fabrication and installation.

Outcome

The completed Mubadala Sail GP environment provided a functional and visually consistent waterfront venue that supported presentations, hospitality, guest circulation and family activity.

The curved stage, LED screen and scenic backdrops created a clear focal point for the main programme, while the custom wall treatments helped unify the temporary venue internally and externally.

Guest transport and interactive family features extended the project beyond scenic fabrication alone, helping create a more complete visitor experience.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver temporary event venues where staging, scenic finishing, guest logistics, family engagement and health and safety requirements all need to be resolved together within one coordinated build.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Temporary venue design and build, curved stage fabrication, scenic backdrops, LED integration, ambient lighting, custom walling, vinyl graphics, guest transport support, family engagement installations, health and safety coordination, delivery and installation.