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 We Love A Client Who Says "I Don't Know"

There are two types of project briefing.

The first sounds very confident. The client knows exactly what they want. Every dimension is fixed, every material has been selected and every technical decision appears to have already been made.

The second briefing sounds very different.

The client says:

“We know what we want to achieve. We don’t know the best way to build it.”

Interestingly, the second type of briefing often produces the strongest result.

This is not because uncertainty is desirable for its own sake. It is because scenic fabrication is fundamentally a problem-solving process. A clear objective combined with an open technical discussion gives designers, engineers and fabricators the opportunity to find the most effective way of turning an idea into a physical environment.

Clients are experts in their audience, brand, event or organisation. Scenic fabricators are experts in understanding materials, structures, manufacturing processes, transport restrictions, installation sequences and operational requirements.

When those areas of expertise are brought together early, a project can become safer, more efficient and more practical without losing the original creative intent.

Starting With The Outcomes

One of the most valuable questions in scenic fabrication is:

“What are you trying to achieve?”

It sounds simple, but the answer often reveals more than a detailed material specification.

A client may initially request a solid timber wall when the real objective is to conceal a backstage area. Depending on the environment, a fabric masking system, modular graphic wall or lightweight framed partition may achieve the same result with less weight, faster installation and simpler storage.

A large sculptural feature may be specified in steel because it needs to appear substantial. However, the visible volume might be created more efficiently using an engineered steel subframe with CNC-machined timber ribs, lightweight cladding and a specialist scenic finish.

A display may be designed as one continuous structure, but dividing it into transportable modules could make it easier to manufacture, move through venue access routes and install within a restricted working period.

None of these decisions necessarily changes what the visitor sees. They change how intelligently the environment is built. The client defines the destination. The fabrication team helps establish the most practical route to reach it.

Collaboration Before Construction

Strong scenic projects are rarely developed through a simple sequence of instruction and production. They are usually shaped through discussion between the client, creative team, technical designers, engineers, project managers and workshop specialists.

Early collaboration allows potential challenges to be identified while they are still relatively easy to solve.

A concept may contain curved surfaces that require further development before they can be manufactured accurately. A suspended feature may need structural review, suitable lifting points and coordination with the venue’s rigging system. A temporary architectural structure may need to be divided into modules because of door dimensions, vehicle capacity or maximum lifting weights.

These are not reasons to reduce creative ambition. They are opportunities to develop the concept properly. At Evolution Scenic, technical development often involves reviewing the design from several perspectives at the same time:

• How will each component be manufactured?
• How will the structure be assembled?
• Can it be transported efficiently?
• What happens if the venue access is restricted?
• How will graphics, lighting or technology be integrated?
• Can the installation team reach every connection safely?
• What happens to the structure after the project finishes?

The answers influence technical drawings, engineering, material selection, workshop methodology and installation planning. When this process begins early, the final structure usually feels more resolved because its appearance and construction method have been developed together.

Turning Concepts Into Buildable Information

A strong visual concept communicates the intended experience, but it does not always explain how the structure should be fabricated.

Technical development turns the creative idea into coordinated, buildable information.

This may involve establishing accurate dimensions, connection details, structural frameworks, material build-ups, access panels, fixing methods, tolerances and assembly sequences. It may also involve coordinating carpentry, metal fabrication, CNC machining, graphics, scenic painting, lighting and integrated technology.

The purpose of this stage is not simply to produce drawings. It is to remove uncertainty before materials enter the workshop.

A carefully developed drawing package helps different departments understand how their work connects. The metalwork team can confirm where structural members and fixing plates are required. The carpentry team can coordinate cladding, reveals and removable panels. Graphics can be prepared to suit finished surfaces and panel divisions. Installation crews can understand the sequence in which modules must arrive and be assembled.

This coordination reduces rework and allows problems to be resolved digitally or through prototypes rather than during installation.

For clients, the technical development process also provides greater visibility. Decisions become easier to review, costs become easier to understand and responsibilities become clearer.

Value Engineering Without Losing The Idea

Value engineering is sometimes misunderstood as a process of removing quality until a project becomes cheaper.

Good value engineering does something very different.

It protects the essential design intent while finding a more efficient way to manufacture, transport, install or operate the structure.

This might involve changing a concealed structural material while retaining the same visible finish. It could mean standardising repeated components so they can be CNC-machined more efficiently. A large feature might be divided into reusable modules, reducing future fabrication requirements. A heavy assembly might be redesigned using aluminium or a hybrid construction system to reduce lifting requirements.

Even small adjustments can have a significant effect.

Changing the position of a panel joint may reduce sheet waste. Revising a frame dimension may allow more components to fit within a vehicle. Introducing mechanical fixings instead of permanent adhesive connections may make future maintenance and reuse possible. Selecting a finish that can be repaired locally may extend the working life of an installation.

The lowest material cost does not always produce the best project value. A cheaper material that requires more labour, additional reinforcement or specialist transport may ultimately cost more than a better-suited alternative.

The objective is not to make every component cheaper. It is to ensure that the available budget is spent where it contributes most to the project.

Material Selection Is A Technical Decision

Materials are often chosen for their appearance, but scenic fabrication requires them to be considered as part of a complete construction system.

Timber offers flexibility, speed and compatibility with many scenic finishes. Steel provides strength and can support slender structural forms, although its weight must be considered. Aluminium can reduce weight and improve handling but may require different fabrication techniques. Fabric can create large surfaces with very little material mass. Composite panels, plastics and specialist boards can support complex geometry or particular finish requirements.

The correct choice depends on more than what the material looks like.

Fabricators must consider structural performance, fire requirements, surface quality, weight, transport conditions, connection methods, workshop processes, environmental exposure and expected lifespan.

A material that works well for a three-day indoor exhibition may not be appropriate for a semi-permanent visitor experience. A finish designed for close inspection requires a different preparation process from an element viewed at distance. A structure intended for repeated use needs connections and surfaces that can withstand assembly, dismantling, packing and storage.

An open brief allows these decisions to be made according to the actual project requirements rather than an assumption made at the beginning.

Designing For Installation & Operation

A scenic environment is not complete when it leaves the workshop.

It still needs to be transported, unloaded, assembled, tested, operated and eventually dismantled. Every one of these stages can influence the design.

Installation planning may determine the maximum size of a module, the location of lifting points or the type of connection used between sections. Restricted venue access may require components to be moved manually or through passenger lifts. Limited installation time may justify additional prefabrication in the workshop. Working at height may influence how graphics, lighting or finishes are completed before delivery.

Operational planning is equally important.

A reception counter may need concealed cable routes, equipment ventilation and secure storage. A display wall may require removable panels for technology maintenance. An immersive environment may need discreet access for technicians. A stage feature may need to accommodate lighting, audio equipment or performer access without compromising the visible design.

These details are not always obvious in a concept render, but they have a major influence on whether the finished environment works properly.

The best time to discuss them is before fabrication begins.

A Fabrication Partner, Not Simply A Supplier

A supplier is usually asked to manufacture something that has already been completely defined.

A fabrication partner contributes to the process of defining how the idea should become real.

That distinction matters.

Evolution Scenic’s role is not to replace the client’s creative direction. It is to support that direction with practical fabrication knowledge, engineering insight and workshop experience. Sometimes that means recommending a different material. Sometimes it means adjusting a hidden framework, introducing a removable section or revising the installation sequence.

Occasionally it means explaining that a particular detail will create unnecessary risk, cost or complexity and proposing an alternative that achieves the same visual result. Honest technical advice is most valuable before a project becomes committed to a construction method.

A client who says “I don’t know” is not arriving without direction. They are recognising that the best solution may emerge through collaboration. That creates space for meaningful technical development, practical value engineering and better-informed decision-making.

The strongest projects are rarely the result of one person having every answer at the beginning. They are usually created by people who understand their own expertise, respect the expertise of others and are willing to solve the difficult parts together.

For a scenic fabricator, that is not an incomplete brief. It is the beginning of a productive partnership.

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.

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.

Cultural exhibitions require spaces that protect and present individual objects while guiding visitors through a coherent visual and narrative journey.

From 30 September to 15 December 2023, Evolution Scenic delivered a complete exhibition fit-out for the Slovenia Pavilion at Expo City Dubai. The exhibition explored the themes One World, One Family and Soul Survivors through ideas of global connection, shared values and human resilience.

The project combined custom ceilings, gypsum walls, display plinths, high-resolution graphics, specialist lighting, zoned audio and digital displays. Every component was developed to connect the physical exhibits with the wider themes of the exhibition.

The Challenge

The pavilion needed to present cultural objects and stories from different parts of the world within one unified environment.

The abstract themes of unity, interconnectedness and resilience had to be translated into tangible spatial and visual elements that visitors could understand as they moved through the exhibition.

The fit-out required several specialist systems to work together. Custom ceilings, gypsum walls, plinths, graphics, lighting, audio and digital screens all needed to be coordinated within the installation programme.

Exhibit illumination also needed to remain operational during a loss of mains power. This required a discreet backup system capable of powering the display lights for 48 hours without disrupting the exhibition design.

The Solution

Evolution Scenic developed the exhibition hall as a connected narrative environment, using scenic architecture, graphics and lighting to distinguish individual sections while maintaining a consistent visitor journey.

High-resolution, custom-printed wallpapers were installed across the venue walls. The graphics introduced colour, depth and thematic context while connecting the exhibits to the wider stories of One World, One Family and Soul Survivors.

Durable gypsum walls were constructed to organise the exhibition and create defined display areas. Bespoke plinths provided stable and appropriately scaled platforms for individual objects and artefacts.

A custom ceiling structure was designed and fabricated to integrate the exhibition lighting. Its form helped establish the intended atmosphere while concealing and organising the technical elements above the displays.

Precision lighting was used to focus attention on significant objects and sections. Changes in colour, brightness and shadow supported transitions between different parts of the exhibition.

Localised audio zones provided individual sections with culturally relevant music, narration and ambient sound without allowing one area to interfere with another.

Magnetic LED screens were integrated to present high-resolution imagery, video and cultural narratives alongside the physical exhibits.

Evolution Scenic worked with its in-house technical team to develop battery-operated display lighting with a 48-hour backup capacity. The system ensured that key exhibits would remain illuminated during a power interruption.

Delivery Highlights

• Complete exhibition fit-out
• Installation at the Slovenia Pavilion
• Exhibition operation from September to December 2023
• Spatial interpretation of two principal themes
• Custom interior scenic elements
• High-resolution printed wallpapers
• Venue-wide graphic installation
• Durable gypsum display walls
• Bespoke exhibition plinths
• Custom fabricated ceiling
• Integrated specialist lighting
• Precision focus lighting
• Dynamic colour and shadow treatments
• Localised audio zones
• Cultural narration and ambient sound
• Magnetic LED display screens
• High-definition visual content
• Battery-operated exhibit lighting
• 48-hour lighting backup system
• Coordination of scenic and technical installation

Outcome

The completed fit-out transformed the Slovenia Pavilion into a structured exhibition environment combining physical artefacts, graphic storytelling and integrated media.

Custom walls and plinths gave each exhibit a defined setting, while the ceiling, lighting and high-resolution wallpapers connected the different sections through a consistent visual language.

Zoned audio and magnetic LED screens added contextual material without displacing the physical exhibits as the primary focus of the experience.

The 48-hour battery backup provided greater operational resilience by allowing key display lights to remain active during potential power interruptions.

Through coordinated scenic fabrication and technical integration, Evolution Scenic delivered an exhibition environment designed to support both the cultural content and the practical requirements of extended public operation.

Project Ecosystem

Evolution Scenic – Exhibition design development, custom interior fit-out, gypsum walls, display plinths, printed wallpapers, ceiling fabrication, spatial coordination and installation.

Evolution Technical – Specialist lighting, localised audio, magnetic LED screens and development of the 48-hour battery-backup system.