Creative Design Review: Turning Story into Stone, Paint, and Place
Case Study: Universal Studios Beijing
Final Sign Touches - Universal Studios Beijing.
©CASTO.
In the world of themed construction, a story isn't just what you read on a script — it’s what you walk on, lean against, and see towering above you. At CASTO, our Creative Design Reviews help translate narrative concepts into durable, buildable finishes that guests can touch, feel, and experience.
Whether it's a muddy dinosaur trail or an iridescent alien crystal façade, every finish starts with a question: How do we build this — and make it last?
This month’s spotlight explores how Creative Design Review brings story-driven finishes to life through three major scopes: hardscapes, themed paint, and vertical finishes. We’ll use our work at Universal Studios Beijing to illustrate how layered planning, storytelling, and sample reviews shape the guest experience — from the ground up.
Creative Review Sample Boards Universal Studios Beijing. ©CASTO
What Is a Creative Design Review?
A Creative Design Review is the bridge between concept and constructability. It’s where a project’s artistic vision meets the practical demands of engineering, fabrication, installation, and maintenance.
In our process, this review includes:
Evaluating background story & narrative intent
Reviewing physical locations and guest perspective
Producing & analyzing reference images, models, and build specs
Creating physical mockups, vendor samples, and material tests
Coordinating finishes across trades and zones
CASTO leads and participates in these reviews to ensure each finish reflects creative intent and meets the standards of themed construction: functionality, durability, aesthetics, and guest interaction.
Themed Hardscapes: Where Story Meets Ground
One of the most immersive guest touchpoints is the themed hardscape. From the textured "Jurassic Dirt" at Jurassic World to the polished terrazzo “Walk of Fame” in Hollywood Boulevard, horizontal finishes set the tone — and the guest’s path.
Universal Studios Beijing Examples:
Jurassic World Dirt: cast-in-place, integrally colored, layered with stains and naturalistic details like rock transitions and footprint impressions.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: cementitious terrazzo finish with embedded metal grids, polished stars, and high-gloss sealers for durability and reflectivity.
In our Creative Design Reviews, we assess:
The expected guest interaction (close-up photography vs. fast-moving foot traffic)
Material limitations and local sourcing
Required slip resistance, UV stability, and weatherproofing
Color integrity across batch production
Themed Vertical Finishes: Integrated, Intentional, Immersive
Vertical finishes — façades, scenic walls, and structural storytelling — often carry the heaviest narrative load. They need to look like magic, but survive like concrete.
In the Transformers Metrobase zone, for example, vertical elements included:
Faux-metal robotic facades
Hexagonal crystal towers bursting from the ground
Reflective finishes mimicking alien technology
Through our design reviews, we analyze:
Material combinations (e.g., mortar over foam, faux metal coatings)
Color hierarchy across zones to ensure visual transitions
Integration of lighting, audio, signage, and special effects
Guest perspective: what’s seen up-close vs. from a distance or ride vehicle
Vertical Coatings & Paint: More Than Just a Brushstroke
Before paint ever hits a themed surface, preparation is critical. From sculpted facades to mock rock and tree trunks, vertical carving requires careful sequencing, skilled labor, and paint-ready surfacing.
At Universal Studios Beijing, the Whomping Willow, Energon Crystals, and Kung Fu Panda village elements required:
Planning surface contours, textures, and relief depth
Selecting appropriate substrates (foam, mesh, mortar) for carving
Ensuring adhesion and breathability of paint systems
Performing sample tests to calibrate color vibrancy under various lighting conditions (indoor LED vs. outdoor sun)
Creative Design Review is where we determine:
The number of paint layers required (primers, base coats, washes, dry brushing)
Required weathering, patinas, and durability coatings
Collaboration between carving artists and painters to preserve surface detail
Why Creative Design Review Matters
Themed construction is complex. Without a structured creative review process, you risk:
Loss of design integrity in the field
Incompatible materials and sequencing delays
Vendor confusion and inconsistent results
Costly rework or rejected mock-ups
CASTO leads Creative Design Reviews to ensure:
Story and structure stay aligned
Samples are tested, trained, and verified
Materials are constructible, repeatable, and maintainable
Whether it's a global resort or a local destination, this review process ensures you get more than a pretty picture — you get a finish that works.
Final Thought
At CASTO, we believe that every surface has a story — and every story deserves to be built with purpose. Our Creative Design Review services bring together story, science, and strategy to transform themed ideas into real-world experiences.
Stay tuned next week as we explore The Rise of Modular / Pre-Fabricated Construction in Themed Environments.
