ABSTRACT
The introduction of reinforced concrete in Switzerland and in Germany was a broad and multifaceted process. Recent studies have covered many aspects of this process, mainly examining local developments of a technical, architectural or, more broadly, cultural nature. In the early years of the 20th century, reinforced concrete established itself as a new alternative construction material through its comprehensive technical and architectural application. During that period, the institutions involved in the design and construction process also established themselves and found their particular roles. This essay discusses the characteristics of the major institutions and their interactions or entanglement. By tracing the people involved in the critical decision-making processes and the way they were connected, often in multiple roles, the formation of an early concrete culture will be sketched as a network of numerous agents who created specific conditions, allowing or suppressing particular constructional applications as branches of possibilities. The geographical focus of this study is, mostly for practical reasons, constrained to Switzerland. Several aspects were linked to construction practice in Germany, with which developments in Switzerland show similarities and divergencies. Based on the network of agents presented, it will become clear how interests were pursued by different institutions, often represented by individuals actively involved in different roles and circles. Switzerland has a highly corporative system where decision-making processes are determined by several interest groups, which generally allows development paths for industry framed by self-regulation or differentiated control mechanisms in a highly pragmatic manner. At the end of this essay, beyond the interconnection and multiple roles of agents, extra-institutional spaces will be discussed as contact zones where specific knowledge can be produced.
