Founder’s Memorial Launch

The grand opening of The Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi required a bespoke temporary venue capable of receiving VVIP male and female guests while reflecting the legacy of Sheikh Zayed.

Evolution worked with the client and nearly 20 stakeholders to create the Sheikhat Majlis and associated guest environments. The strategic design decision was to draw from the Memorial’s cultural meaning rather than impose an unrelated event aesthetic.

Mashrabiya-inspired pattern, never-before-seen photography and controlled light connected the exterior approach with the interior majlis, giving the temporary structures a sense of permanence, dignity and place.

The Challenge

The launch required two substantial temporary venues fitted to an exceptionally high standard. They needed to accommodate separate VVIP guest requirements, preserve accessibility and withstand challenging weather conditions without appearing temporary or utilitarian.

The physical scale was significant: large structural spans, 10-metre-high branded walls and a 50-metre sloping arrival ramp all had to be resolved alongside cultural sensitivity, guest comfort and a coordinated design process involving nearly 20 stakeholders.

The Solution

Evolution installed two marquee structures, each screened by a 10-metre-high branded scaffolding wall. A custom wooden, backlit linear mashrabiya system carried across these walls and into the grand entrance, giving guests an early visual introduction to the interior language.

The principal structure used Electra’s 40-metre by 25-metre by 8-metre I-Novation aluminium truss system, providing approximately 1,000 square metres of covered floor area. Its fabric roof was engineered to drain water efficiently during heavy rain, allowing the premium environment to remain protected.

A 50-metre custom-built sloping ramp created an accessible and ceremonial arrival. Inside the majlis, freestanding CNC panels measuring 5.3 by 3.2 metres combined intricate pattern with custom white finishes and large-scale, previously unseen photographs of Sheikh Zayed.

The panels operated as generous room dividers rather than solid walls. Custom lighting cast dappled shadows across the patterns, adding depth to the white environment and drawing attention to the imagery and custom-built furniture without compromising the calm tone of the space.

Delivery Highlights

• Two premium temporary marquee structures for VVIP guest environments.
• Ten-metre-high branded walls with custom backlit mashrabiya panelling.
• Forty-metre by 25-metre I-Novation structure providing approximately 1,000 square metres of covered space.
• Fifty-metre custom sloping ramp supporting accessible ceremonial arrival.
• Freestanding 5.3-metre by 3.2-metre CNC patterned panels.
• Large-format, previously unseen photographs of Sheikh Zayed.
• Custom lighting and white furniture integrated into the majlis design.
• Collaborative design and delivery involving nearly 20 stakeholders.

Outcome

The completed venue felt culturally connected to the Memorial rather than temporarily placed beside it. Pattern, photography and light gave the VVIP environments a restrained ceremonial identity centred on Sheikh Zayed’s legacy.

The project also resolved scale and accessibility without sacrificing finish, creating an arrival and majlis experience that felt composed, dignified and appropriate to a national landmark.

Project Ecosystem

Client:

Crown Prince Court

Evolution Events: Led stakeholder coordination, VVIP guest planning, venue strategy, project management and live-event delivery.

Evolution Scenic: Designed and produced the temporary venue fit-outs, branded walls, mashrabiya panelling, CNC dividers, entrance treatment and custom ramp.

Evolution Technical: Delivered the integrated architectural and feature lighting supporting the backlit exterior and patterned interior environment.

Evolution Furniture: Provided the custom white furniture developed for the Sheikhat Majlis interior.