By: Brian Andrelczyk, EXP Arabia Director of Entertainment + Hospitality
Entertainment infrastructure is a catalyst for regional growth. Without it, areas miss out on economic and social benefits that shape communities for decades to come. EXP has a proven track record of awe-inspiring entertainment projects that provide dynamic guest experiences and yield lasting impact.
As a child, I grew up going to theme parks and losing myself in the immersive new realms. As an adult, I wanted to design those same built environments that operate as a source of creativity and joy. With 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry and a track record of 445 theme parks visited and 1518 rollercoasters ridden (and counting), I am fully invested in that mission.
Themed spaces also build connectivity for locals and tourists alike — especially in locations committed to the development of entertainment infrastructure and diversification, like Saudi Arabia. EXP is helping bridge the gap in immediate ecotourism infrastructure through efficient, unforgettable attractions.
Investment in Saudi Arabian infrastructure
EXP Arabia, a partnership between EXP and Al Suwaiket Group, has grown in accordance with the growing emphasis on tourism in the region, contributing to projects in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Asia. Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national strategic initiative for improved economic, social and cultural conditions, has ushered in a new era of leisure and public community spaces.
In partnership with Red Sea Global, EXP Arabia led all engineering disciplines and lighting design services for the new ADRENA adventure destination. The site features over 20 activities like wakeboarding, cliff diving, skateboarding and surfing in Saudi Arabia’s largest saltwater surf pool. We delivered ADRENA under an accelerated schedule, in alignment with Vision 2030 milestones and a continued push for unforgettable entertainment venues.
As a resident of Saudi Arabia during the realization of Vision 2030 initiatives, I have witnessed this evolution first-hand. Between public transportation, utility, hospitality and eco-tourism infrastructure, the area will be equipped to support the full guest experience. With over 30 years of entertainment experience and a history of accelerated project delivery, EXP is up to the task.
Invisible and effective work
Our approach to themed attractions is simple — we carefully consider and respect the guest journey and experience. It’s essential to maintain experiential integrity across all disciplines, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), fire protection and low-voltage information and communication technology (ICT) services. All these services are essential in any project, but with our disciplines it’s not about what you see, it’s what you don’t.
Picture this — you are moving through an 1800s medieval landscape, complete with wooden furniture, rusted goblets, rowdy clientele and a murky moat surrounding a castle. One look down reveals a large metal access hatch for utility access, and one look up reveals multiple security cameras blinking a slow, mindless red. Immediately, you are taken out of the immersion, imagination and exploration and are reminded that you are in an artificial world.
Instead, EXP specializes in integrated design, marrying aesthetic elements with functionalities to create a cohesive guest experience. The result is that guests only see what matters most.
We design for careful placement of advanced technologies that keep the attractions safe, operational and dynamic. Visitors don’t need to see the fire alarm devices, camera coverage, people counters, wireless access points, outlets or sprinklers — but these systems are crucial, as they help optimize traffic planning, safety and security.
As my team member Dan Christman is known to say, “In our line of work, we are successful if nobody knows that we exist.” That level of execution comes from EXP’s multi-disciplinary, collaborative process that prioritizes technical precision, cost effectiveness and the designated project timeline.
EXP’s golden rules of entertainment design
EXP maintains standard processes across our entertainment projects to ensure success for our clients.
We never design in a bubble. It’s collaboration and innovation that help us integrate complicated systems into attractions where the guest doesn’t know those systems exist. Because our work shouldn’t draw attention to itself, but rather, to the experience it supports.
Entertainment attractions are continually changing. They expand and adjust to trends, guest preferences and new additions. Our projects are designed for adaptable capacity so that spaces accommodate new clientele, phenomena and events. Rather than limit our preparation to the current project scale, we work with owners to consider what might be built in the future as well. For example, MEP work can evolve into lighting, background music, signage and audio zone considerations to create ambiance and engagement.
The MOTE Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida is an example of a project where EXP provided not just MEP and fire protection services, but also integrated technology, AV and lighting design. EXP specializes in these technical services for entertainment settings, from aquariums and water parks to museums and theme parks. Beyond 146,000 sq ft of public aquarium exhibits, the site also features laboratories, veterinary surgery and clinic areas with coordinated life support systems, a digital research library archive, gift shop and more. Our designers prioritized longevity and flexibility so this world-class space can be molded to fit the interests and needs of future generations.
This approach informs our collaboration with stakeholders, consultants and communities. As a team, we are able to anticipate needs and ask better questions to gauge the overall vision, goals and impact.
Over the past 15 years and beyond, I gained an understanding of themed attractions from both perspectives — the engineer who designs them and the guest who enjoys them. That duality fuels the successful delivery of unforgettable places.
Connect with me to learn more about our entertainment work in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Featured image courtesy of Red Sea Global