Watching yesterday’s Opening Ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a significant moment for a number of our colleagues. Our structural engineers from London and Doha designed the cable structures spanning the roof of the Al Bayt Stadium and supporting the ceremony’s aerial flying system, which was used to fly performers and scenic pieces across the stadium, including the Qatar World Cup mascot La’eeb and the official emblem.

Our innovative team was also involved in delivering the structural design for a 30-metre art installation of a whale shark, called ‘Al Nehem.’ The large-scale art installation is gently hovering above the Lusail Plaza suspended from the four iconic Lusail Towers. Our electrical engineers were also involved with this artwork, reviewing the electrical design and providing a local sign off.

Last but not least, our engineers performed a third-party structural engineering review of the Icon - a large scenic piece embedded in the seabed and which forms part of the World Cup Water Show at Doha-Corniche.

This has been a fantastic collaboration between our London and Doha teams. Well done to all involved!

Thank you to our client Balich Wonder Studio for involving us and to all the contractors who fabricated and executed the show elements and the artwork including Stage One, Fab Pub, Y-Lines, Absen Optoelectronic, Creative Technologies, Elegancia, Hyundai and Midmac.