In late November, Ruud Belmans, founder of WeWantMore, took part in HIX London 2025, Europe’s only dedicated hotel design event. HIX LDN is a two-day celebration of hotel interiors, bringing together over 5,000 architects, designers, developers, investors, and hospitality professionals at London’s Business Design Centre. 

Ruud joined the panel “Expert Systems: How Technology is Transforming Hotel Design,” moderated by Sophie Harper (Hotel Designs) and alongside Mark Henderson (YOTEL) and Nelli Denisova (OBM International). The discussion explored how AI, apps, and other technology-driven tools are influencing hotel design, from workflow efficiency to guest experience.

During the panel, Ruud highlighted MONARK, WeWantMore’s sustainability software, as a concrete example of technology transforming design. Having recently been put to successful use on projects like Moxy Aarhus (Marriott International & Core Hospitality), MONARK helps interior designers track embodied carbon throughout the design process and make informed, sustainable decisions. This perfectly illustrates how technology can enhance creativity, streamline workflows, and embed sustainability at the heart of hotel design.

The conversation flowed between practical applications and big-picture ideas, with key takeaways including the need to integrate sustainability from the earliest design stages, the potential of AI-driven tools to empower designers, and the growing role of technology in creating guest-centred, environmentally conscious hotels.

To cap off an exciting few days, Ruud celebrated the winners of the AHEAD Awards at Evolution London. Earlier in the year, he had served as a judge on the Sustainability Panel, recognising some truly innovative and forward-thinking work. Looking forward to next year!