We designed the ‘Hush Hush’ stage for the Contrair Open Air festival at Noordkasteel in Antwerp. Since the festival only runs for one night, we went with a structure made mostly from scaffolding. The stage is located near the main entrance, nestled between two rows of tall trees that form a natural roof over the dancefloor.

The U-shaped stage is based on the layout of the dry docks in the nearby port; high, sloped walls with a gate where ships and water can enter. We used that logic as a starting point for the stage: two long walkways with a wide staircase closing it off at one end. The staircase holds the DJ booth and backstage area and doubles as a meeting spot close to the entrance. The two walkways frame the dancefloor and are covered in white, translucent fabric. Together with the rooftop trees, they create a cozy, club-like vibe. At the far end, there’s an opening that serves as the main entrance. Just like water filling a dry dock, people flow through it and into the ‘Hush Hush’ stage.