Self Build Zone trade show stand

The Graphical Tree were approached by our client, Howden, with a brief to produce a bespoke built installation at the NEC Birmingham for Sennocke Insurance.

The idea was to construct a smaller-sized replica house that would serve as the focal point of the client’s trade show exhibit.

We’re not shy of fabrication projects, so we asked Howden to supply us with some initial drawing concepts and some more advanced renders to get the ball rolling.

With the roughs at hand, we set about producing a proof of concept. This was before drilling deeper into the size of the space and the logistics involved in making the final piece to install. If the mock-up worked then we could refine it when making the larger, full-size house.

Having a good overview of the NEC space and taking into account the available floor area and the height of existing fixtures at the venue was essential. After revising the artwork accordingly and developing, we believed, the most suitable production method, we decided upon 10mm foamboard that could be easily transported to Birmingham and fitted together on-site by our team.

A scale model was built to confirm the construction approach before submitting for client approval. The first version, which had a wrapped roof split into two panels, proved impractical due to the chimney feature. We developed a sturdier solution using finger (comb) joints. However, the client expressed a preference for a cleaner finish with no visible joints or edges. Following further consultation with the installation team, our designers created a new prototype that addressed both structural integrity and visual presentation.

Our R&D work is integral to our role as a large-format display specialist. It’s our job to suggest, explain, and often prototype a method before pressing the ‘go’ button. Our step-by-step approach is one of the reasons we have been awarded a SafeContractor certification. It means we’re well prepared for production and installation, having gone through a systematic and reobust process along the way.

Once approved, we supplied the client with final artwork templates for them to implement the creative from their perspective. They returned final artwork and proofs, and we moved promptly into production.

The completed structure was printed and produced in-house, delivered to the NEC Birmingham venue, and installed by the customer alongside our 2-person installation team on-site. The ease of the construction method meant that the client also had the ability to de-rig the branded house themselves after the event, saving them an extra fee at the end of the job.

The house looked great and really stood out, giving the client a striking and visually attention-grabbing stand, one that fitted perfectly with the product concept at hand – it really was a self-build zone.