Notes/ research on Dudley zoo

Basic research i have gathered/ notes i made to gain an initial overview of the Tecton architects and history of Dudley zoo..

The zoo opened to the public May 18th 1937

A group of modernist architects, led by Russian-born Berthold Lubetkin, ddesigned the zoos structures- using reinforced concrete to create a revolutionary new design of buildings- Tectons.

Still standing (just) at 75yrs old the structures are the worlds largest single collection of tectons.

Tecton group were vital in bringing modernist architecture to UK - only collection of interrelated tecton designs in Britain.

Dudley zoological society founded in 1935

Berthold Lubetkin
Born 14/12/1901 - 23/10/1990
A russian architect who pioneered modernist design in Britains 1930's

The name tecton originated from..
Tectonics- meaning the science of architecture..the art or science of construction, especially of large buildings. Tecton- abbreviation of architecton (greek word for architecture)

Lubetkin joined forces with a number of young architects- Francis Skinner, Denys Lasdun, Godfrey Samuel and Lindsey Drake to form the group 'Tecton'

The first Tecton commisioned was the Gorilla House at London Zoo, he also worked on th zoo at Whipsnade- Bedfordshire and obviously Dudley zoo in Warwickshire. In 1935-38 Tecton began a 2yr project to design the new zoo in Dudley.

Key example of Lubetkins work:
1932- cofounds Tecton/ Tecton wins first commission to design 1932-34 Gorilla House at London zoo, Regents Park. This marks the start of Lubetkins collaboration with structural engineer OveArup.

1933 work starts on second london zoo commission
33-34 Penguin Pool
33-35 Apartment block, Highgate
1934 Appointed is architect of new Whipsnade zoo
1935-38 Finsbury Council, to design health centre

Bear Ravine- Dudley Zoo
Its features included a shaped retaining wall and cantilevered terrace which allowed views into the enclosure. Also elevated viewing platforms, enclosure walls, steps, ramps and platforms within enclosure.When digging to cretae the foundations a 15 metre deep cavity was discovered- prompting radical amendments to the original design.

HLF- annonced a repair, renovation and new interpretation of just for of the Tecton structures;
Bear Ravine, Front entrance, Safari shop and Kiosk one.

The Tecton structures were designed and constructed 1935-37

The structure was Grade II listed 20/08/1970
English Heritage ID- 217914
Listed because of the architectural interest..one of 12 surviving structures at the zoo designed by Lubetkin and Tecton, with engineering by Ove Arup.

Design interest- strong geometric forms and multi-levelarrangement of viewing platforms
Group Value- demonstrates strong group identity through sharing of form, scale, materials etc
Setting- designed to sit on steeply terraced slopes below ruins of the castle

'designing architecturalsettings for the animals in such a way as to present them dramatically to the public,in an atmosphere comparable to that of a circus'