Unlocking the joy of travel
To improve traveller services at Amsterdam Central Station, NS Stations set out to transform the luggage locker facility from pure function to function with experience, and asked Silo to develop a creative concept that makes international travellers feel safe and at ease when storing their luggage.
Client
NS Stations
Partners
Illustration developed in collaboration Megan de Vos
Europe's third-best train station
With 200,000 daily travellers, Amsterdam Central Station is one of the busiest train stations in the Netherlands. In 2026, it was ranked the third-best train station in Europe by the Consumer Choice Center (CCC). Integral to the traveller experience is the quality of services like waiting areas, ticketing, shops and restaurants, restrooms, and luggage lockers.
The luggage lockers were recently relocated to a new facility, directly adjacent to the main station building. The move enables a more convenient, reliable and speedier service. Operator NS Stations chose Silo to collaborate on transforming this highly functional space into a safe, inspiring, and unexpectedly pleasant experience for the broad international target audience.
Function turned to storytelling
The spatial branding concept fully embraces the building’s function: a storage space for personal belongings. By opening up hundreds of fictional lockers, the design reveals a diverse world of travellers, destinations and memories.
References range from everyday travel items to Dutch icons like tulips and wooden shoes. Look closer, and you’ll spot Dutch art from Vermeer to Mondriaan, distinctive features of Amsterdam, and off-the-beaten-path references like Assen’s giant dog Mannes. References to cities like Berlin and London extend the story to promote international rail travel across Europe.
The concept and design were developed in close collaboration with illustrator Megan de Vos.
Impact, measured
The approach piloted in Amsterdam sets a new standard for luggage lockers at major Dutch train stations. The results speak for themselves: user ratings for the new facility have risen to an 8. Through storytelling and deliberate attention to atmosphere, the building has become worth a visit, even without luggage to store.
