Focusing on concretes effects on culture rather than its technical properties concrete and culture examines the ways concrete has changed our understanding of nature of time and even of material adrian forty concentrates not only on architects responses to concrete but also takes into account the role concrete has played in politics . Concrete and culture a material history despite its ancient roman origins concrete is considered the ultimate sign of modernity found everywhere today second only to water in the quantities consumed we produce three tonnes of concrete for each person on the planet each year. Concrete has been used in arches vaults and domes dating as far back as the roman empire today . Focusing on concretes effects on culture rather than its technical properties concrete and culture examines the ways concrete has changed our understanding of nature of time and even of material adrian forty concentrates not only on architects responses to concrete but also takes into account the role concrete has played in politics literature cinema labor relations and arguments about sustainability