Philippe Ophoff – A True Yunatic
Philippe Ophoff is a visionary entrepreneur renowned for his pioneering contributions to advertising technology and sustainable transportation.
As the founder of Open, a Belgian company specializing in advertising displays, he developed and patented the innovative Open Scrolling system, revolutionizing dynamic advertising panels worldwide.
In 2008, we had the privilege of designing and constructing his company’s headquarters in Kruibeke, reflecting his forward-thinking approach and commitment to innovation. This was our very first project together, and it clicked immediately—both professionally and personally. We discovered a shared passion for bold ideas, creativity, and pushing boundaries.
Since then, we’ve remained close friends, exchanging ideas, ambitions, and inspirations. We proudly call ourselves misfits, united by a drive to explore new possibilities. Whether brainstorming new concepts or losing track of time over dinner, our conversations are so engaging that we’ve often been the last ones left in the restaurant—with the staff gently hinting it’s time to leave. (Our apologies for that!)
Under Philippe’s leadership, Open became a significant player in the advertising sector, eventually being acquired by the American group Daktronics in 2013.
A Visionary for the Future
Today, Philippe has returned to us as a client, once again demonstrating his visionary spirit as a true Yunatic—someone who dares to dream big and redefine possibilities. He is embarking on a groundbreaking project to revolutionize public water transport in Antwerp. Together with Axel Enthoven, MDK, Brabo and us, he is developing a cutting-edge transport system utilizing e-foil boats, which travel twice as fast as conventional vessels while consuming 67% less energy. This bold initiative not only addresses urban mobility challenges but also sets a new standard for sustainable transportation.
As architects, we are thrilled to collaborate with Philippe and renowned designer Axel Enthoven to create comfortable and future-ready pontoons that complement the sleek and sustainable design of the e-foil boats.
Philippe Ophoff’s ability to repeatedly transform bold ideas into reality continues to inspire us. He is a true Yunatic—an innovator who pushes boundaries and proves that visionary thinking can change the world.
His avatar : Sebastien (parmi les hommes).
Philippe Ophoff’s story takes an even more fascinating turn when viewed through the lens of synchronicity. His avatar is inspired by “Sébastien parmi les hommes”, a French series about meaningful journeys.
A scene from the show, featuring a sign reading “Service des Îles” (Island Services) with boats in the background, recently gave Philippe goosebumps. He realized it foreshadowed his latest venture—launching public water transport in Antwerp with e-foil boats.
Philippe Ophoff’s story takes an even more fascinating turn when viewed through the lens of synchronicity. His avatar is inspired by “Sébastien parmi les hommes”, a French series about meaningful journeys.
A scene from the show, featuring a sign reading “Service des Îles” (Island Services) with boats in the background, recently gave Philippe goosebumps. He realized it foreshadowed his latest venture—launching public water transport in Antwerp with e-foil boats.
This striking parallel highlights the power of avatars to reveal hidden patterns and inspire visions. Philippe’s journey proves he is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a true Yunatic—guided by intuition, purpose, and bold ideas.
