Kia Forum: 64 modular artificial hedge panels for crowd control

The Kia Forum needed to direct foot traffic and block off restricted areas during events without lining the place with metal barricades. CalifauxScapes built 64 custom hedge panels, each 4x2 feet, that one person can pick up and move. Over 500 square feet of green barrier that works as crowd control and looks like it belongs there.

Overview

The Kia Forum in Los Angeles hosts concerts, sports, and special events for millions of visitors a year. Managing crowd flow at that scale requires physical barriers, but the venue didn't want the industrial look of rope stanchions and metal fencing scattered across the concourse. They wanted barriers that actually improved the space visually while doing the same job.

CalifauxScapes worked with the Forum's operations team over a two-month period to design, build, and deliver a modular hedge barrier system. Each panel is a standalone unit with a weighted base, UV-resistant foliage, and dimensions that let a single staff member carry and reposition it.

The challenge

The Forum needed barriers that could handle two opposing requirements. They had to be heavy and stable enough that people wouldn't push through them, but light and portable enough that staff could reconfigure them between events. A comedy show and a concert have different floor plans, and the turnaround between events can be tight.

The other issue was aesthetics. Metal fencing and caution tape work for construction sites, but they make an entertainment venue feel unfriendly. The Forum wanted something that created clear boundaries while making the space feel polished instead of penned-in. On top of that, everything would live outdoors under the LA sun year-round, so fading was a real concern.

Our solution

We built 64 individual panels, each 4 feet tall by 2 feet wide, totaling over 500 square feet of barrier surface. Each panel has a weighted base that keeps it stable in a crowd, but the total weight is manageable enough for one staff member to pick it up and reposition it.

The panels can be arranged in straight lines, L-shapes, or full enclosures depending on what the event calls for. We used commercial-grade UV-resistant foliage so the green stays consistent through months of direct sunlight. The connection mechanisms between panels were designed to the Forum's specifications so everything locks together cleanly and comes apart fast.

Implementation

We manufactured all 64 panels in our facility with strict quality control on dimensions, weight, and color consistency. Every panel had to match, since they'd be used side by side in long runs.

Delivery was scheduled during a planned maintenance window so we weren't working around live events. We provided the venue's operations team with a setup guide and walked them through the different configurations. Because the panels are freestanding, there was no drilling, no construction, nothing permanent. They were ready to use immediately. We followed up with a site visit after the first few events to confirm the system was performing as expected.

Results

The Forum's staff can now reconfigure the entire barrier layout between events in a fraction of the time it took with traditional barricades. The hedge panels create boundaries that people naturally respect without feeling corralled. The operations team reported better crowd flow and fewer people wandering into restricted areas compared to the old rope-and-stanchion setup.

The UV-resistant materials have held up through months of outdoor use with no noticeable fading. The hedges still look the same as they did on delivery day, which means the Forum isn't dealing with replacement costs or patchy-looking barriers. The staff has also found uses we didn't anticipate, including VIP area enclosures and backstage screening.

"CalifauxScapes' hedge barriers solved a persistent operational challenge for us. They are incredibly sturdy when we need them to be, yet our team can rearrange them in minutes. They've held up remarkably well under the LA sun and constant use, and guests consistently comment on how much nicer they look than typical event barriers." — Alex Rivera, Director of Operations, Kia Forum

Project details

Image suggestions

• Hero: Wide shot of hedge barriers in use during an event, with guests flowing around them and the Forum architecture visible.
• Before: Same area with metal fences or caution tape, showing the contrast.
• After: Hedge barriers in a clean line channeling foot traffic, green against the venue backdrop.
• Detail: Close-up of the panel connection point, weighted base, and foliage texture. Include a hand for scale.
• Wide: Elevated shot showing multiple barrier configurations deployed across a large section of the concourse.