Designing for Movement

Located on Antwerp’s Theaterplein, ibis Antwerp Centrum sits at the heart of a neighbourhood shaped by music and theatre. A hotel lobby in this setting has to offer more than a place to arrive and move on. Guests want spaces that give them a reason to linger, work, meet and experience a sense of place.

WeWantMore brought this understanding into the hotel, rethinking the lobby and breakfast area as somewhere guests would want to spend time, not simply pass through.

The starting point was simple: movement within structure. The strong architectural framework of ibis Plaza became the backdrop for a more fluid, expressive interior, creating a space that feels dynamic, adaptable and connected to Antwerp’s theatrical character.

A New Rhythm

The transformation began with the layout. The existing meeting room was removed to expand the breakfast area, while the kitchen was enlarged and a new meeting room was added behind the bar, overlooking the courtyard.

At the centre, a rounded bar connects directly to reception, creating a natural social hub. The co-working area can also open into the meeting room when needed, allowing the space to shift between different uses throughout the day. The layout is shaped around how guests want to use the hotel, rather than simply how they need to move through it.

Breaking the Frame

The main installation brings the concept overhead. Layered felt forms sweep through the exposed ceiling structure, inspired by wings and flocks of birds in motion.

Their elongated, curved shapes draw the eye through the lobby. As light and perspective change, the installation takes on different depths and shadows, bringing movement to an otherwise static framework.

The contrast is intentional. The raw ceiling and concrete surfaces anchor the space, while the installation introduces a lighter, more tactile layer, creating a visual counterpoint to the architecture below.

Finding the Balance

The existing ibis Plaza language remains visible in the black finishes, industrial materials and graphic details. But rather than leaving the space feeling purely functional, we added upholstered seating and soft lighting to create a more inviting atmosphere.

Slim-profile chairs sit alongside chunky banquettes, with featured shelving adding rhythm above the seating. Curtains bring a theatrical touch while serving a practical purpose, closing off the buffet area or separating the meeting and co-working spaces when required.

Custom carpets designed in-house by WeWantMore run through the corridors and meeting room, with the same design returning as loose rugs in the lobby.

Industrial at its core, theatrical in its details and distinctly rooted in Antwerp, the space responds to a simple shift in what guests want from a hotel: not just somewhere to arrive, but somewhere worth spending time. Bringing the concept to life was a collaborative effort with Accor, WiZiU and Rémy Merckx, with JLL leading onsite, Forum Office delivering the corridors and rooms, and Bossuyt collaborating on the kitchen.