Jules Wabbes (1919–1974) is one of the most prominent Belgian furniture designers of the post-war period. He is best known for his office furniture, with which he furnished the offices of Glaverbel, Générale de Banque, and Foncolin, but he also designed lamps, school furniture, and complete private interiors. His work is timeless, solid, refined, and characterized by a sensual use of materials. Jules Wabbes did not hide the wood joints of his furniture but rather emphasized them. His work distinguishes itself through a unique style and vocabulary, far removed from the playful and flamboyant character of most furniture from the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1951, Jules Wabbes founded a design firm and entered into a partnership with architect André Jacqmain to realize large-scale design and architectural projects. They worked together for ten years and capitalized on the post-war boom in office building. In 1957, Jules Wabbes founded his own production company, "Mobilier Universel," through which he was able to sell his office furniture in Belgium and Europe. That same year, he represented Belgium at the Milan Triennale, which earned him international recognition. Subsequently, he was commissioned to design the interiors of the American embassies in The Hague, Rabat, and Dakar.

Jules Wabbes' perfectionism and unwavering dedication to quality are evident in the design of the headquarters of Générale de Banque (now BNP Paribas Fortis), where he worked on the executive offices, the reception desk, and the decoration and layout of the vault.