In short
Fort Napoleon had a problem: nothing really happened there. Napoleon never even set foot in the place. But what it lacked in historic drama, it made up for in local charm. The solution? We hit the streets of Oostende and discovered the real stories: the ones shared by the locals. First kisses, secret rendezvous, stolen cigarettes, moments that gave the fort its emotional pulse.
Using those stories, we created “Whispering Walls,” an experience where the fort itself told these tales in hushed tones, making every visit intimate, surprising, and uniquely Ostend.
The Challenge
How do you attract visitors to a historic site without a dramatic backstory? Fort Napoleon had the architecture but not the anecdotes. We needed to craft an experience that would turn the fort’s lack of traditional history into its biggest asset.
The Insight
The real history of Fort Napoleon wasn’t about battles or emperors; it was about the memories of the people of Oostende. By giving those stories a voice (literally) we transformed the fort into a deeply personal experience for locals and tourists alike.
The Outcome
Whispering Walls turned a historical blank slate into an interactive treasure, using real-life stories to create an experience that was touching, mysterious, and family-friendly.
