2025
Belgium
Going Like the Wind was an interactive exhibition at Fort Napoleon in Ostend that enabled children and families to explore how offshore wind energy is generated and transmitted to the mainland. Through storytelling, play frames, and digital displays, it explained the Princess Elisabeth Island and Belgium’s leadership in the blue economy. Its success led to an extension, a national award, and plans for a permanent exhibition.
Highlights
01
Over 11,300 visitors by mid-August 2024 led to an extended exhibition run.
02
Multilingual and inclusive design with English, French, Dutch, and German audio guides.
03
Winner of the 2024 Belgian Event Awards (B2C category).
Main Information
Going Like the Wind (GLTW) was an immersive exhibition designed to help children aged 6–12 and their families understand how offshore wind energy is generated, transmitted, and used. Hosted at Fort Napoleon in Ostend, it focused on the Princess Elisabeth Island, the world’s first energy island, as an engaging entry point to Belgium’s blue economy and leadership in offshore renewable energy.
Developed by Elia Transmission Belgium in collaboration with Toerisme Ostend, DEME, Jan De Nul, Stratier, and Little Harry, the exhibition blended storytelling, physical play frames, 3D models, and digital displays. Visitors followed a seagull narrator through interactive installations and could purchase an illustrated companion book.
The exhibition turned complex technical concepts into an accessible, playful, and family-friendly experience that inspired curiosity and learning. By mid-August 2024, it had attracted over 11,300 visitors, leading to its extension until December and the receipt of the B2C award at the 2024 Belgian Event Awards.Its creative, multilingual, and inclusive design has proven highly transferable, inspiring Elia and Toerisme Ostend to explore a permanent blue economy exhibition hosted by Technopolis and reuse interactive elements at events such as Nerdland.
other practices
