From imitation to acceptance to worldwide production of Schokbeton

Wido J. Quist*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

The Dutch precast concrete company Schokbeton started activities in the early 1930’s, introducing well compacted concrete elements some of them plain, others mimicking the colour, details, and surface finishes of natural stone. Being a modern, industrially produced material with a traditional stone imitating look, Schokbeton served both traditional and modern architecture. This paper presents original research on the factories’ concrete recipes and products (1930–1970) and concludes on the development of the material from an imitation to a ‘real’ material in its own right. The paper discusses the relation between the patented production technology, the architectural products used in Modernist buildings and the concrete technology (recipes). The recipes show experiments with crushed stone and many different sands. At first, the mixtures seemed to be random, but looking closer it becomes evident that the post-war architectural developments highly relate to the use of certain aggregates in the concrete and therefore with the aesthetics. It is argued that the relation of the concrete mixture and production technology with the design of the concrete element has often been underestimated. It is clear that by the end of the nineteen fifties an International Style in precast-concrete was born. Schokbeton clearly played a role in this development, but based on recently discovered archive material it is questionable how big this influence has been.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication16th International Docomomo Conference Tokyo Japan 2020+1 Proceedings -Inheritable Resilience
Subtitle of host publicationSharing Values of Global Modernities
EditorsAna Tostoes, Yoshiyuki Yamana
PublisherDOCOMOMO
Pages540-545
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)978-490470076-1
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event16th International Docomomo Conference Tokyo Japan 2020+1 - Tokyo, Japan
Duration: 29 Aug 20212 Sept 2021

Publication series

NameInheritable Resilience: Sharing Values of Global Modernities - 16th International Docomomo Conference Tokyo Japan 2020+1 Proceedings
Volume2

Conference

Conference16th International Docomomo Conference Tokyo Japan 2020+1
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityTokyo
Period29/08/212/09/21

Keywords

  • Modern Movement
  • The Netherlands
  • Heritage
  • Precast concrete
  • Schokbeton

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