Adventurous encounters

Grote Kerk Veere, Veere (NL), 2020

Be suspended in a net high above the floor. Look a mummified cat in the eye. Ascend the pulpit with a loved one. Get close to history – if you dare.

A storied church

The Grote Kerk in Veere has had an eventful history. It has withstood fire and storm, it served as a military hospital in the Napoleonic Wars, and it was narrowly saved from demolition in the late 19th century. Following a full restoration, the church’s past has been brought back to life. Studio Louter and OPERA Amsterdam developed a visitor experience for this unique building.

Experiencing history

Visitors can discover six experiential installations scattered through the church where they’ll encounter episodes from its history in adventurous ways. Do they dare to look at a mummified cat? Are they brave enough to get married here, as the Scottish princess Mary Stuart did in the 15th century? Or to be suspended in a climbing net where they can hear tales of wounded soldiers who once lay here on a vanished floor? The six installations challenge visitors in every possible way.

“Really new things, with old pictures in a new form. Soooo much fun!!”

Ton Feldbrugge, visitor — 25 October 2020

Credits

Client
Grote Kerk Veere

Content Design
Studio Louter

Spatial & Graphic Design
OPERA Amsterdam

Film Production
Shosho
Mette Menting

Audio Production
KlevR sounddesign

Construction
Fiction Factory

Hardware
Walter van Peene

Awards

International Design Award 2021
Honorable Mention | Multimedia-Interactive Media