Swiss made and patented: aluminium sheet metal elements 1940–1960

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Swiss aluminium sheets burgeoned on the international market. Switzerland’s largest aluminium company, Aluminium Industry Corporation, used its innovative alloys in the form of flat and corrugated sheets to gain a foothold in the construction industry—a growing market that had remained stable despite the numerous economic and social crises between 1920 and 1950. In this context, patents and licences increasingly affected the production and international trade of building components. Apart from big companies, craftsmen and architects developed and patented innovative ways of using the metal sheets to meet requirements in new construction methods. At the same time, the Alpine nation took an interest in fostering its image as a centre of industry and technology. Aluminium proved to be a suitable choice as a symbol of these ambitions with its material properties, increasing production volumes and wide range of applications. By scrutinising the commercialisation of Swiss aluminium sheet elements, this paper elucidates the interconnections between the metal industry, material sciences and local crafts and their effects on Swiss architectural practice and expression. In doing so, it offers a new perspective on a so far little-noticed aspect of architectural history in Switzerland and beyond.