Projecten Polem silos transform Amsterdam's Oude Kerk into an artwork

How Polem silos transformed Amsterdam's Oude Kerk into a resonant artwork

A centuries-old church building, an internationally renowned artist, and a special request: could Polem silos deliver for a unique art installation in Amsterdam's Oude Kerk? Not a standard application of our products — and that's precisely what made the project so fascinating.

The question: can industrial silos serve as sound chambers in a historic, acoustically challenging space?

Challenges and analysis

Amsterdam's Oude Kerk is the city's oldest building, with a rich history and very specific acoustics. Artist Susan Philipsz had a visionary idea: to make sound fragments resonate through specially positioned sound chambers, without compromising the monumental character of the church.

The challenge:

Delivering silos that aesthetically fit in an 800-year-old church space
Making it technically possible for the silos to function as sound chambers — without resonance problems or unwanted sound distortion
Finding solutions for hanging heavy elements in a vulnerable, protected monumental structure

After technical and artistic consultation with the client and producer Anything is Possible, we carefully analyzed what specifications were needed to make this unique concept possible.

Solution and implementation

Our solution: customized silos with completely open bottoms, so they function exactly as the desired sound chambers. The silos were designed to be lightweight, so they could be safely attached to the church's ridge without damage or structural risks.

The implementation process consisted of:

Engineering: adapting standard silos to a design that met artistic and acoustic requirements
Safety analysis: validating load capacity and hanging method together with structural engineers
Installation: precise assembly in collaboration with Anything is Possible's production team

Results

The installation, titled "The Fall," was a stunning success. The silos amplify the sound fragments subtly and atmospherically, without the industrial character overwhelming or detracting from the historic interior.

The reactions from visitors and art critics were laudatory.

The sound seems to fall from the air, amplified by an invisible source — magical and confrontational at the same time, wrote one reviewer.

The Oude Kerk itself described the installation on its website as:

After numerous visits to the church and extensive artistic research, Scottish artist Susan Philipsz presents her context-specific sound installation The Fall in the city's oldest building.

Lessons learned

This project once again confirmed how versatile our silos can be — provided there's room for creative thinking and technical collaboration.

Important lessons:

It pays to engage early with artistic and technical stakeholders
Historic buildings require maximum care and flexibility in design and execution
Especially with non-standard applications, craftsmanship and attention to detail make the difference

Conclusion

Thanks to close collaboration and technical customization, Polem has contributed to a unique, internationally acclaimed art experience in one of Amsterdam's most iconic buildings.

Even in unexpected domains like art and culture, industrial solutions can prove surprisingly valuable.

Curious how we can contribute to your project? Feel free to contact us!

FAQ

Can you deliver silos for other non-industrial applications?Absolutely. This project demonstrates that our silos are not only suitable for storage or industrial applications. With the right design, they can also fulfill functional and aesthetic roles in art, architecture, or design, for example.
How were the silos hung in the church without damage to the building? We developed a special hanging system in consultation with structural engineers and restoration specialists. This system prevented the need for major modifications to the historic building.
What's the difference between a standard silo and the customized silos for this project?The customized silos had an open bottom and were designed to be lightweight.