Skyline

Lorraine Kibblewhite from Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Canada brings us this nighttime masterpiece.

Each set piece was made from 2″ thick Styrofoam. 6 buildings were 4′ wide and 6 buildings were 2′ wide. The windows were backed with Velum or black paper to allow the lights to shine. There were 12 separate buildings in the entire set.

They borrowed this set from their sister church, Gateway. When Gateway used this set, they glued the sytrofoam pieces to plywood bases. Lorraine’s team created reusable stands from 2 – 2×4 pieces on either side of the styrofoam and screwed together. Supports were made for the back (again reusable). The supports were triangler in shape and 2×4 blocks were used to hold the 2 pieces together.

The city scape was lit with 6 Martin LED stage bars.

The total cost for the materials (minus the lights) is about $250.

The Styrofoam construction technique offers several advantages for church stage design. The material is lightweight, easy to cut, and surprisingly durable when properly supported. By using 2-inch thick foam, the buildings maintain their rigidity while remaining light enough for a single person to move. The key to success with this method is creating sturdy bases that won’t tip during services or rehearsals.

The window treatment using velum paper creates a beautiful diffused glow when backlit. Velum is an excellent choice because it’s translucent enough to let light through but opaque enough to hide the LED fixtures from view. Black paper was used on some windows to create variation in the lighting pattern, simulating the look of an actual city skyline where not every window is illuminated.

The triangular support system described here is a time-tested method for keeping tall, lightweight set pieces upright. By creating a wide base that extends behind the scenic element, you achieve stability without visible support from the audience’s perspective. This approach also makes storage easier since the supports can be detached and stacked flat.

Related Designs

• New York Skyline – NYC skyline created with insulation foam and duct tape windows for a Christmas musical
• Christmas in the City – Buckhead Church’s foam-core city skyline with over 12,000 CNC-cut windows
• Light Boxes – Custom-built illuminated panels using LED technology for versatile stage backdrops
• Tilted Light – LED panel design with string light curtains for dynamic stage lighting effects
• White on White – Clean contemporary design featuring LED accent lighting for modern worship spaces

Pro Tips for City Skyline Stage Design

Styrofoam Cutting: Use a hot wire cutter for clean, smooth edges on your foam pieces. A serrated knife or box cutter can work but tends to tear the foam and create jagged edges. Always cut foam in a well-ventilated area as the melting material releases fumes.

Window Patterns: Plan your window layout before cutting. Random patterns look more realistic than uniform grids. Use graph paper to sketch the design first, then transfer measurements to the foam. Leave at least 2 inches between windows to maintain structural integrity.

Lighting Position: Place LED bars at varying distances behind the buildings to create depth. Buildings closer to the lights will glow brighter, while those further back create a sense of distance. Use color temperature variations—warm white for residential areas, cool white for commercial buildings.

Storage Solutions: Since this set was designed to be borrowed between churches, proper storage is essential. Wrap each building in plastic sheeting to protect the foam, and store standing upright rather than stacked flat to prevent warping. Label each piece with its position in the overall skyline for easier setup.