High-profile financial launches require event environments that communicate authority, clarity and international significance without distracting from the importance of the occasion. For the launch of ICE Futures Abu Dhabi at ADGM on 29 March 2021, Evolution Scenic delivered a refined scenic environment centred around a bespoke stage, branded backdrop and premium finishes.

The launch marked a significant milestone in crude oil futures trading based on ADNOC’s flagship Murban crude and brought together ADNOC, ICE, ADGM and nine global energy partners. Evolution Scenic’s role was to ensure the physical event setting reflected the scale and importance of the launch through precise scenic fabrication and a cohesive branded treatment.

The Challenge

The event required a visually strong but highly professional setting suitable for an international financial and energy-sector audience.

The scenic environment needed to align with the identities of both ICE and ADNOC while also complementing the architecture of the ADGM venue.

Because the launch represented an important commercial milestone, the stage, backdrop and surrounding scenic components needed to feel polished, precise and premium, with no visual inconsistency between branding, materials or finishes.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated a custom stage and backdrop tailored to the event branding and the surrounding venue environment.

The scenic treatment incorporated ICE and ADNOC branding prominently while maintaining a clean and sophisticated visual language appropriate to the nature of the launch.

Premium materials and finishes were applied across the fabricated elements to create a refined and professional appearance.

The stage and backdrop were developed as a coordinated composition so that branding, proportions and scenic finishes worked together as one visual environment rather than as separate components.

Through careful fabrication and detailing, Evolution Scenic created a setting that supported the formal nature of the event while reinforcing the importance of the ICE Futures Abu Dhabi launch.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the ICE Futures Abu Dhabi launch.

• Event held at ADGM in Abu Dhabi.

• Launch date: 29 March 2021.

• Bespoke stage design and fabrication.

• Custom branded backdrop.

• ICE branding integration.

• ADNOC branding integration.

• Premium scenic materials and finishes.

• Scenic treatment coordinated with the venue architecture.

• Polished corporate event environment.

• Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed scenic environment provided a refined setting for the launch of ICE Futures Abu Dhabi and helped reinforce the significance of the occasion.

The custom stage, branded backdrop and premium finishes created a cohesive visual environment that supported the formal programme and represented the participating organisations clearly.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver high-profile corporate and financial event environments where brand alignment, finish quality and visual precision are critical to the overall presentation.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic design, stage fabrication, branded backdrop production, premium finishes, branding integration, delivery and installation.

Urban planning forums need environments that can support strategic discussion, collaborative problem-solving and future-focused thinking across multiple programme formats. For the Plan Capital Plenary Session and Workshop in Abu Dhabi, Evolution Scenic delivered scenic and technical solutions designed to transform several venue spaces into functional and visually connected environments.

Hosted by the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities, the event focused on urban innovation and long-term strategies for the next 10–15 years. Evolution Scenic’s scope included a main plenary stage, a dedicated Innovation Hub, 14 customised workshop setups, scenic backdrops, modular partitions, workshop furniture and AVL support.

The Challenge

The event required several different programme environments to operate within one coordinated venue.

The primary ballroom needed to support plenary sessions and large-format presentations, while also incorporating an Innovation Hub for collaborative brainstorming and ideation.

A second ballroom required 14 separate workshop environments capable of supporting smaller group discussions and solution-focused activity.

The challenge was to create clear functional zones without making the overall event feel fragmented, while also integrating scenic, furniture and technical requirements across the different spaces.

The delivery programme was tight, placing additional pressure on fabrication, fit-out and installation sequencing.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic developed a coordinated multi-zone scenic package tailored to the event programme.

A visually dynamic main stage was fabricated within the primary ballroom, incorporating custom scenic elements aligned with the future-focused character of the event.

The same space also included an Innovation Hub designed to support collaborative thinking, brainstorming and group interaction.

In the secondary ballroom, 14 customised workshop setups were constructed and installed to provide dedicated environments for smaller group sessions.

Stage backdrops, modular partition walls and workshop furnishings were incorporated across the venue to help define the individual programme zones while maintaining a consistent visual language.

AVL support was also coordinated as part of the wider delivery, ensuring presentations and technical content could operate effectively within the scenic environment.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the Plan Capital Plenary Session and Workshop.

• Event hosted by the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities.

• Future-focused urban planning programme.

• Main plenary stage.

• Custom scenic stage elements.

• Dedicated Innovation Hub.

• Collaborative brainstorming environment.

• 14 customised workshop setups.

• Secondary ballroom transformation.

• Stage backdrops.

• Modular partition walls.

• Workshop furnishings.

• AVL equipment support.

• Multi-zone venue fit-out.

• Fast-track production and installation.

Outcome

The completed Plan Capital environment provided a flexible setting for plenary content, collaborative ideation and focused workshop activity.

The main stage established a clear focal point for presentations, while the Innovation Hub created a more interactive space for brainstorming. The 14 workshop setups gave participants dedicated areas for smaller discussions and solution development.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver multi-zone workshop and conference environments where staging, spatial division, furniture and technical support all need to work together within one coordinated event fit-out.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Main stage fabrication, Innovation Hub development, workshop environments, scenic backdrops, modular partitions, workshop furniture, AVL coordination, delivery and installation.

Technology competitions require event environments that feel visually aligned with innovation while still supporting live presentations, participant activity and audience engagement. For the CyTaka World Cyber Championship in Dubai, Evolution Scenic delivered a futuristic scenic environment for an international live hacking competition bringing together coders from around the world.

Working on the event for the second consecutive year, Evolution Scenic delivered the stage, branded scenic elements, podiums, lightbox signage and other bespoke features within an exceptionally compressed programme. With less than one day available for build-up, the project required highly coordinated fabrication, logistics and installation to ensure the venue was fully prepared for the competition.

The Challenge

The CyTaka World Cyber Championship required a visually distinctive environment capable of reflecting the high-tech nature of the competition while supporting a demanding live event programme.

The scenic treatment needed to establish a futuristic visual identity across the stage, branding and supporting event features.

The main challenge was the installation programme. With less than one day available for build-up, scenic elements had to be prepared in advance and installed with minimal margin for delay.

The short timeframe placed particular importance on coordination, accuracy and installation sequencing, as the event environment needed to be completed rapidly without compromising presentation quality.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic fabricated a custom stage designed around a bold, futuristic aesthetic suited to the technology-focused nature of the championship.

Branded scenic backdrops and additional features were installed throughout the venue to extend the event identity beyond the principal stage.

Custom podiums were produced for the competition environment, while illuminated lightbox signage introduced further branded focal points throughout the space.

Additional bespoke scenic elements were fabricated as required to complete the event environment and create a consistent visual treatment across the venue.

Because the build period was less than one day, Evolution Scenic coordinated the installation carefully to allow the different scenic elements to be deployed rapidly and accurately within the available programme.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the CyTaka World Cyber Championship.

• Second consecutive year supporting the event.

• International live cyber competition.

• Competition prize of up to $100,000.

• Bespoke main stage.

• Futuristic scenic design.

• Custom branded backdrops.

• Bespoke scenic features.

• Custom competition podiums.

• Illuminated lightbox signage.

• Event branding integration.

• Fast-track scenic production.

• Less than one day for event build-up.

• Coordinated scenic installation.

• Delivery under significant time constraints.

Outcome

The completed environment created a strong visual setting for the CyTaka World Cyber Championship, combining futuristic stage design, branding and illuminated scenic features around the live competition.

The stage and supporting elements established a clear technology-led identity, while custom podiums, backdrops and lightbox signage extended the visual language throughout the event environment.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver high-quality event scenery under extreme time pressure, where fabrication preparation, logistics and on-site installation need to be tightly coordinated to achieve a complete venue transformation within a very limited build window.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic production, custom stage fabrication, branded backdrops, competition podiums, lightbox signage, bespoke scenic elements, fast-track delivery and installation.

Corporate conferences often need to move between formal presentations, interactive workshops and evening hospitality while maintaining a consistent visual identity throughout the programme. For Roche’s two-day conference and gala dinner in Dubai on 3–4 February 2020, Evolution Scenic delivered scenic and technical solutions for an international audience of 100 representatives.

The event combined company results presentations, partner recognition, product-focused workshops and an awards gala. Evolution Scenic’s scope included a bespoke conference stage, integrated LED screens, branded scenic elements, workshop environments, modular partitions, a dedicated gala dinner stage, custom lighting and supporting furniture.

The Challenge

The event required two distinct environments to be delivered within one coordinated corporate identity.

The daytime conference needed to support presentations, workshops and product communication, while the evening gala dinner required a more formal and celebratory atmosphere for partner recognition and awards.

Workshop areas also needed to remain flexible and functional, with scenic panels, AV setups and modular partitions supporting smaller interactive sessions.

The challenge was therefore to create multiple event environments that could fulfil different programme requirements while remaining visually consistent with Roche’s brand.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic delivered a bespoke conference stage with integrated LED screens and branded scenic elements, creating a strong focal point for the presentation of Roche’s 2019 results and wider company content.

Dedicated workshop areas were fitted with custom scenic panels, AV setups and modular partitions to support smaller interactive sessions and product-focused discussions.

For the gala dinner, Evolution Scenic designed and built a separate awards stage complemented by elegant scenic backdrops, custom lighting treatments and branded elements aligned with Roche’s corporate identity.

The project also involved coordination with other Evolution departments to support technical requirements including audiovisual systems, staging and bespoke furniture.

By integrating scenic production with technical support and furniture, Evolution created a complete environment for both the daytime conference and evening gala programme.

Delivery Highlights

• • Two-day Roche conference and gala dinner.
• • Event dates: 3–4 February 2020.
• • 100 international representatives.
• • Bespoke conference stage.
• • Integrated LED screens.
• • Branded scenic elements.
• • Workshop environments.
• • Custom scenic panels.
• • AV setups.
• • Modular partitions.
• • Gala dinner awards stage.
• • Elegant scenic backdrops.
• • Custom lighting solutions.
• • Branded gala elements.
• • Bespoke furniture.
• • Coordination with other Evolution departments.
• • Audiovisual and staging support.
• • Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed event environments supported both the business and hospitality objectives of the Roche programme.

The conference stage and workshop areas provided clear settings for results presentations, product communication and interactive sessions, while the gala dinner created a more refined environment for recognising top-performing partners.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver multi-format corporate events where conference scenery, workshop infrastructure, technical integration, furniture and evening hospitality staging all need to work together within one coordinated production.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Conference scenic production, stage fabrication, LED integration, workshop scenic panels, modular partitions, gala dinner staging, scenic backdrops, custom lighting, bespoke furniture, delivery and installation.

Other Evolution Departments – Audiovisual systems, staging and technical support.

Global industry conferences require environments that support formal presentations, networking, delegate services and interactive experiences while maintaining a consistent and professional visual identity. For the 7th Marsh Biennial Conference in Dubai, Evolution delivered scenic production and event support for more than 560 participants from 50 countries.

The main conference was held at The Westin Dubai, with the gala dinner taking place at Emirates Towers. Evolution’s scope included custom stage sets, scenic backdrops, signage, event branding and a series of specialist delegate environments including Marsh’s Pop-Up Café, Cyber Lounge and Mobile App Helpdesk.

The Challenge

The conference needed to support a large international audience across two separate venues while maintaining a cohesive visual and operational experience.

The main conference environment had to feel sophisticated and professional, while also encouraging interaction between delegates. In addition to the principal stage and conference areas, several specialist zones were required to support networking, digital engagement and attendee assistance.

The event identity also needed to remain consistent across The Westin and Emirates Towers despite the different functions and architectural character of each venue.

The Solution

Evolution developed a coordinated scenic package for the conference and gala environments.

Custom stage sets, backdrops and signage were designed and fabricated to create a refined setting for the formal conference programme.

Interactive delegate areas were also developed to add functionality and encourage engagement throughout the event.

Marsh’s Pop-Up Café was created as a dedicated hospitality and networking area incorporating a coffee bar and truck, providing a more informal setting for delegate interaction.

A Cyber Lounge was developed to support digital engagement, while a Mobile App Helpdesk provided a clearly defined location for attendee assistance.

Thematic branding and signage were applied across the wider event environment, helping maintain a consistent visual identity across guest-facing areas.

Evolution also coordinated scenic delivery across both The Westin and Emirates Towers, adapting the individual environments while maintaining continuity between the main conference and gala dinner.

Delivery Highlights

• Scenic production for the 7th Marsh Biennial Conference.

• More than 560 participants.

• Delegates from 50 countries.

• Main conference at The Westin Dubai.

• Gala dinner at Emirates Towers.

• Custom stage sets.

• Bespoke scenic backdrops.

• Event signage.

• Thematic branding.

• Marsh Pop-Up Café.

• Custom coffee bar.

• Café truck feature.

• Cyber Lounge.

• Mobile App Helpdesk.

• Delegate engagement zones.

• Multi-venue scenic coordination.

• Conference and gala environment integration.

• Delivery and installation.

Outcome

The completed Marsh Energy Industry Conference environment supported both formal programme content and a wide range of delegate interactions across two venues.

The custom staging and scenic backdrops created a professional setting for the main conference, while the Pop-Up Café, Cyber Lounge and Mobile App Helpdesk introduced more informal and functional spaces for networking, digital engagement and attendee support.

The project demonstrates Evolution Scenic’s ability to deliver complex multi-venue conference environments where staging, branding, hospitality, delegate services and event continuity all need to work together within one coordinated production.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Scenic production, stage sets, backdrops, signage, thematic branding, Pop-Up Café, Cyber Lounge, Mobile App Helpdesk, multi-venue coordination, delivery and installation.

Structural Calculations Explained

Structural calculations often sit quietly behind the scenes of scenic projects. Clients, agencies and visitors rarely see them, yet they can influence almost every significant decision made during design, fabrication and installation.

Many scenic structures appear relatively straightforward once complete. A feature wall may seem to be a simple vertical surface. A stage set may look like a collection of decorative forms, while a parade float might appear to be a lightweight scenic composition fixed to a vehicle.

Behind the finished surfaces, however, engineers, designers and fabrication teams are often resolving a far more complex set of questions. They must determine how the structure will carry its own weight, how it will respond to people, equipment and environmental forces, and how it can be transported, assembled and operated safely.

Structural calculations are therefore not simply documents produced to prove that something will remain standing. They are practical tools that help turn ambitious creative ideas into safe, efficient and buildable scenic structures.

Understanding How Forces Move Through a Structure

One of the most important principles in structural engineering is the load path. A load path describes how force travels through a structure until it reaches a stable supporting point, such as the floor, a foundation, a vehicle chassis or an approved venue connection.

For example, the weight of a large scenic feature may pass through its decorative skin into a secondary framework, then into a primary steel structure and finally down through base plates into the floor. Every connection along that route must be capable of transferring the required force safely.

This can become particularly important in scenic fabrication, where the visible shape of a structure may not follow conventional architectural forms. Curved walls, cantilevered features, suspended elements and oversized sculptural components can create unusual load paths that require careful analysis.

A structure may appear substantial from the outside while relying on a relatively lightweight internal framework. Alternatively, an apparently simple scenic wall may require significant concealed steelwork because of its height, shape or exposure to wind.

Understanding the load path early allows the engineering and fabrication teams to identify where reinforcement is genuinely required, rather than simply adding unnecessary material throughout the structure.

Dead Loads and the Weight of the Build

Dead load is the permanent weight of the structure itself. In scenic construction, this may include structural steel, timber framing, plywood, aluminium, CNC-machined components, scenic finishes, LED screens, lighting equipment, graphics, cladding and any permanently attached mechanical elements.

Dead loads can accumulate quickly. A decorative finish that appears relatively light across a small sample can add considerable weight when applied over hundreds of square metres. Screens, suspended lighting features and specialist cladding systems may also introduce concentrated loads that must be allowed for within the supporting framework.

Managing dead load is especially important for temporary structures because weight affects more than structural performance. It also influences transport, lifting operations, installation labour, vehicle capacity and the speed at which the structure can be assembled.

Reducing weight does not necessarily mean reducing strength. A well-developed design may use aluminium instead of steel in selected areas, hollow fabricated sections instead of solid forms, or CNC-cut ribs to create volume without excessive mass.

Structural calculations help the team understand where weight can be removed safely and where additional material is essential.

Live Loads and Public Interaction

Live loads are forces that may change during the use of a structure. These can include people, movable equipment, performers, furniture, temporary displays, stored materials and operational loads introduced during maintenance or installation.

For a scenic stage, live loads may come from performers, stage equipment, scenic props, cameras or mobile platforms. An exhibition pavilion may need to support visitors leaning against counters, interacting with displays or gathering within particular areas.

Public-facing scenic structures require particular care because people do not always interact with them in the way originally intended. Visitors may lean against walls, sit on plinths, climb onto low-level features or gather around popular installations.

Structural calculations allow these possibilities to be considered in advance. They help the project team determine suitable safety factors, connection details and reinforcement requirements without compromising the visual design.

This is particularly important when a scenic element looks solid or architectural. Its appearance can encourage people to treat it as a permanent structure, even when it has been designed as a temporary installation.

Wind Loading and Large Scenic Surfaces

Wind loading is one of the most influential considerations for outdoor scenic structures.

A large flat surface can behave like a sail, creating significant pressure on the supporting structure, connections and foundations. The taller and wider the surface becomes, the greater the potential force.

Wind does not only affect outdoor installations. It may also influence entrance features, structures positioned near open venue doors or temporary builds exposed during installation before the final enclosure is complete.

Parade floats present a particularly interesting example. A scenic element mounted on a moving vehicle may experience both natural wind and airflow created by the vehicle’s movement. Large decorative panels, elevated figures and lightweight cladding must therefore be designed to resist uplift, vibration and repeated movement.

Where possible, engineers and fabricators may reduce wind pressure by introducing openings, perforations or controlled airflow through the scenic form. In other cases, additional ballast, wider bases, structural outriggers or ground anchors may be required.

These decisions must be coordinated carefully with the visual concept. The aim is not to simplify the design unnecessarily, but to develop a safe structural solution that remains faithful to the creative intent.

Dynamic Loading and Moving Structures

Dynamic loads occur when forces change over time. Unlike a static load, which remains relatively constant, a dynamic load may be created by movement, acceleration, braking, vibration, impact or repeated operation.

Parade floats are a clear example. Their scenic structures must respond to cornering, changes in speed, uneven road surfaces and vibration from the vehicle platform. A component that performs well while stationary may behave very differently once the float begins moving.

Dynamic loading can also affect automated stage elements, rotating platforms, moving scenery and suspended features. Repeated movement may gradually loosen fixings or place stress on joints if the connections have not been designed appropriately.

Structural reviews for moving scenic structures therefore consider more than maximum weight. They assess how forces are introduced, how frequently the structure will move and how the build can be inspected throughout rehearsals and operation. Fabrication tolerances, locking systems, connection details and access for maintenance all become part of the engineering strategy.

Temporary and Permanent Structures

Temporary scenic structures are sometimes assumed to require less engineering than permanent construction. In practice, they can introduce a different set of challenges.

A temporary structure must often be assembled quickly, used intensively and dismantled within a short period. It may need to be installed without permanent foundations, transported in modular sections and adapted to venue restrictions.

Connections must therefore be strong but also practical to assemble. Components may need to fit within transport limits, pass through loading doors and be lifted using equipment available on site.

Temporary structures can also experience unusual conditions during installation. A tall feature wall may be stable once fully connected, but vulnerable while only partially assembled. The installation sequence must therefore be considered as part of the structural methodology.

Permanent structures may be designed for long-term environmental exposure, fatigue, maintenance and durability. Temporary structures, by contrast, require careful attention to repeated assembly, transportation damage and operational handling.

Neither approach is inherently simpler. The engineering strategy must reflect how the structure will actually be fabricated, transported, installed, used and removed.

Structural Calculations in Scenic Stages and Feature Structures

Large scenic stages often combine several structural systems within a single design. A stage may include primary steel frames, raised platforms, suspended scenic elements, LED screens, decorative façades, access stairs and technical equipment. Each system may introduce different loads and connection requirements.

Large feature structures present similar challenges. Their sculptural geometry may hide complex internal frameworks that must support cladding, lighting and secondary scenic finishes while remaining accessible for fabrication and installation.

Early structural coordination helps prevent situations where scenic finishes conflict with structural members or where critical connections become impossible to access on site.

It also allows the fabrication team to design modular sections around transport and lifting requirements. Rather than engineering the structure as one continuous object, the build can be divided into manageable units with clearly defined connection points.

This often produces a safer and more efficient installation without changing the finished appearance.

Exhibition Pavilions and Temporary Architecture

Exhibition pavilions can look architectural, but they are usually designed and fabricated within compressed programmes and strict venue conditions.

Structural calculations may need to consider tall walls, overhead features, suspended signage, integrated screens, hospitality spaces and areas of concentrated visitor movement.

Venue regulations can also influence the engineering approach. Floor loading limits, restricted fixing points, fire safety requirements and maximum build heights may all affect the structural design.

Because exhibition builds are temporary, the supporting structure is often concealed within joinery, cladding and graphic finishes. The challenge is to create sufficient structural strength without making the pavilion unnecessarily heavy or difficult to install.

Well-coordinated calculations allow the engineering solution to support the visual design rather than compete with it.

Engineering Approvals and Documentation

Structural calculations often form part of the approval process for venues, local authorities, event organisers and health and safety teams.

Depending on the project, the required documentation may include calculation reports, structural drawings, connection details, material specifications, foundation or ballast information and installation methodology.

For complex public structures, the engineering package may also require independent review or approval by a licensed structural engineer.

The approval process works best when engineering is introduced early. Attempting to calculate a fully developed design at the end of the process can lead to major revisions, particularly if the structure has not allowed space for bracing, connections or suitable foundations.

Early collaboration between creative designers, structural engineers and scenic fabricators helps identify these issues before they affect programme, cost or visual quality.

Structural Engineering as Part of Scenic Fabrication

For scenic fabricators, structural calculations are rarely treated as an isolated engineering exercise. They form part of a wider process that combines creative development, material knowledge, fabrication methodology, logistics planning and operational experience.

A calculation may confirm that a steel frame is strong enough, but the fabrication team must still determine whether it can be manufactured efficiently, transported within the available vehicle limits and assembled safely within the installation programme.

Similarly, a theoretically sound connection may need to be adjusted because it is inaccessible once the scenic finish is installed. A support system may require modification because the venue does not permit floor fixings, or because the structure must be dismantled and reused.

The strongest engineering solutions are therefore developed through collaboration. Structural performance, fabrication practicality and visual quality must be considered together.

Protecting Public Safety Without Restricting Creativity

Public safety is the central purpose behind structural calculations, but safety and creativity should not be viewed as opposing forces. Good engineering does not simply remove risk by making every structure heavier or more conservative. It identifies where the real risks are, then develops focused solutions that allow the creative concept to be delivered responsibly.

This may involve refining proportions, redistributing weight, improving the load path, introducing concealed bracing or selecting a more appropriate material. In some cases, a small adjustment made during technical development can prevent a much larger compromise later in the project.

At Evolution Scenic, structural calculations are understood as part of the creative realisation process. They provide the technical confidence required to fabricate ambitious stages, exhibition pavilions, parade floats and large-scale scenic structures safely.

The calculations may remain hidden once the installation is complete, but their influence can be seen in every element that fits together correctly, travels safely, installs efficiently and performs as intended.