From Intermediary Object towards Boundary-Object

The paper intends to reconsider the concept of intermediary object, sometimes confused with boundary-border. After the presentation of the context of the formation of this concept and the knowledge issues aimed initially within the framework of the analysis of the scientific co-operative networks, the paper reconsiders in detail the successive developments of the concept of intermediary object, in particular within the framework of the ethnography of design activity. The proposed journey shows its descriptive and analytical force while being based on examples which make it possible to test its contribution. Finally, the paper shows that an intermediary object becomes a boundary-object by the work of equipment.