THEMING
Imagineering
Chocolate Nation Antwerp
Design Direction for the total project - Conceptual Design - Design team guidance - Technical Consulting & Development
In close cooperation with M.Haest
J.Jespers and M.Haest started this project in search of all the answers to the big question:
"What makes Belgian chocolate so great..?"
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Thanks to exquisite craftsmanship, 19th
century industrialisation & transportation,
Belgian chocolate as a product became truly loved and famous all across our globe.
Ever since this “golden” delicacy has been `winning hearts and sweetening our lives.
In 14 themed spaces, build by & for real
chocolate lovers, we tell you the love story!
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After stripping the old interior we started with a rough open concrete space of 4000sqm and a forest of steel columns.
Without government funding it was inevitable
to become design wise as well as budget wise
a "bittersweet" challenge.
After-all it was ALL about chocolate.
For the general design, we let ourselves be inspired by the power and craftsmanship of industrial (late 19thcentury) design vs. ‘la grandeur’, abstract geometry and also the affordable richness of the Art Deco (19th- early 20th century) thanks to the use of new materials on the market. Into the future!
This gave us the possibility to extend the "chocolate story" in combining rough existing elements with new smooth & stylish materials (similar to the contrast between edgy solidified chocolate and heated silky swirly chocolate).
Delicate but strong shapes to give peace &
character. Oriental colours with a dusty look to give it more warmth, history & soul.
Combining materials like gold copper, terrazzo, marble & walnut to make it extra fancy, stylish timeless classical, and for many a bit nostalgic.
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At the very beginning ...
A special recognition for M.Haest (one of the project iniciaters) who was present every step of the way... challenging, supporting, trusting, motivating everyone. Thank you for your remarkable approach & a precious cooperation.
Also a special thanks for a fine cooperation go's to Nils Wollaert (Architect), Ellen Van Acker & Mauranne Saelens (Interior architects - General Design team), Rob Saliën (Visual Artist - Milkmindart - General Design team), Tom Verhoeven (7t7, Marketing - Branding), True Food Agency (F&B specialists), Tinker (Imagineers/Storytellers), and professionals on site for all the extra effort to make it all happen.
Comics Station Antwerp
Development - Technical Consulting -
Allround design coöperation -
Ride & Game development
In close cooperation with J. Bertévas
Comics Station Antwerp is a brand new theme and experience park that puts our famous Belgian comic charachters in the spotlight.
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As this project is located in an active train station, within the setting of a renowed architectural environment and since it is vertically oriented, the interior design and architectural solution had to be completely different from other theme parks. This project required a far more delicate balance between Architecture and Theming.
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In other parks the mechanical rides have to deliver the thrill, but in Comics Station the themed rides help to tell the story and were specifically developed (often from scratch) to guide the visitor through the different story lines. This adventureous experience delivers quite a new kind of thrill.
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Wickieland Plopsa
Describe your image.
Plopsa Group Belgium asked me to manage the budget, development & construction of this new themed zone, based on the 3D cartoon movies & series of Studio 100.
I have enjoyed a lot of close cooperations with great people in this business, throughout this special project. Special thanks to them all.
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Some projects for Plopsa Belgium were for example, The New Plopsa Theatre, the Main Square Kiosk, and more.
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Projectmanagment - Site Coordination
Decorative Works - Technical Support -
Design coöperation
In close cooperation with P.De Koninck
Leisure & Entertainment
Leisure & Entertainment Imagineer
& Development Consultant
Throughout the years I've been designing for Private Investors & Entertainment design firms, operating on global scale.
Designing the layout of buildings, Facade decorations, Interior organisation, Interior design, Ride selection and theming, Furniture design, etc.
“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”