A Shared Heritage: The “Grain Silos” Between the Countryside and the City

The Great Lakes region of North America underwent a profound economic transformation in the latter half of the 19th century, establishing itself as a significant center for grain production and distribution.2 This shift, linked to the logistical challenges of managing and storing large quantities of perishable goods, led to the introduction of new architectural typologies: silos. Unlike traditional warehouses, silos are characterized by their storage capacity and mechanized systems that facilitate the movement of bulk goods. The constant search for new technical and typological solutions underscores the relationship with the growing dynamism of the global grain market and illustrates how economic imperatives drive architectural innovation. Due to their intrinsic value, these typologies have been the subject of various multidisciplinary studies. An extensive bibliography exists,3 encompassing photographic, journalistic, and artistic works focusing on silos and grain elevators as “romantic” symbols and precursors of a new architectural language.4 The influence of railway companies in their construction was fundamental, connecting agricultural producers to port facilities and encouraging the transition from warehouses to silos and elevators to reduce costs and expedite the loading of ships. The grain cycle, particularly in the United States but also in other exporting countries (such as Argentina and South Africa) and importing hubs (such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Manchester), has thus had a significant impact on urban and regional planning, an aspect that remains relatively under-explored.