I first became interested in architecture, particularly modernist architecture in 2015 after I discovered Berthold Lubetkin Tectons whilst visiting Dudley Zoo for a photography project. After years of thinking the zoo was merely outdated, I began a journey of research. However, I was bewildered by the lack of any comprehensive record of his career. The story of Lubetkin is undoubtedly complex; there weren’t only architectural aspects and interest, but aspects of art, philosophy, European history and politics that made up the man we know so little about today. There is much to be learned on Berthold Lubetkin and his contribution to architecture and social change. Nonetheless, in my opinion, he remains the most notable architect of his generation in Britain.
In the 1930s, the nature of reinforced concrete was not understood completely meaning the Tectons at Dudley Zoo have not fared well over the decades. Poor upkeep and maintenance over the years sadly added to the deterioration of the buildings. Unfortunately, some of the enclosures are now unused or aren’t used as they were initially intended for, serving only as monuments. In this publication, I focus on his architectural practice at ZSL Lonon Zoo and Dudley Zoological Gardens in its purest form. The questions I would like you to consider while reading is, what should we do? A subject which is heavily discussed when concerning building conservation. Do we keep the historic importance alive for future generations, as well as serving as a memoir to the architect? Or simply let them fall? It’s not always easy and maybe even right in some cases to rebuild exhausted buildings, however, is this altered when there is economic gain?
Cover illustration and design by Rebecca Apryl Beckett. Book design by Rebecca Apryl Beckett. Written and illustrationed by Rebecca Apryl Beckett. Photographs by Rebecca Apryl Beckett, unless stated.
a Brief History of
Born in Tiflis (Tbilisi), Georgia on the 14th December 1901 to parents Roman Arononvich Lubetkin and Fenya (Hassya) Menin.
1901
1922-23
Leaves Russia to accompany the First Exhibition of Russian Art in Berlin at Gallerie Van Diemen. He enrols at Hohere Fachschule fur Textil und Bekleidungsindustrie in Berlin. He also attends classes for buiding technology and reinforced concrete at Bauschule, Technische Hochschule, Charlottenberg.
1914
Travelled with his family through Europe.
1923-25
Passes all subjects after entering the Architectural School at Warsaw Polytechnic. Poland also provided Lubetkin with his first experience of formal architectural training.
1917
Enrolled at Stroganov School of Art in Moscow.
1932
Froms the Tecton Group with Drake, Chitty, Dugdale. Skinner, Samuel and Harding.
Meets Ove Arup and is commisioned for the Gorilla House from Zoological Society.
1918-1920
Participates in SVOMAS Workshops in Petrograd and Moscow. He is also a cadet in the military and stand-by order for the Red Army.
1934
1935
Elephant House at Whipsnade Zoo is completed.
Is commissioned for Dudley Zoo and Finsbury Heath Centre.
Gorilla House completed and recieves commissions for Penguin Pool.
Project begins at Whipsnade Zoo.
1933
1936-37
The Bungalows at Whipsnade are completed.
Dudley Zoo opens in May 1937.
Recieves a commission for Elephant House at London Zoo.
1953 Returns to the USSR for a trip.
1970
DOE gives statutory listing protection to Gorilla House, Penguin Pool and Tecton buildings at Dudley Zoo.
1982
Awarded The Royal Gold Medal for Architecture.
1938-39
Finsbury Health Centre is completed.
Marries Margaret Church.
Elephant House plans at London Zoo are halted.
Dies 23rd October 1990 in Bristol, UK.
1990
Berthold Lubetkin
Penguin Pool opens.
London Zoo London Zoo London zoo London zoo
ZSL London Zoo, situated in Regent’s Park opened on the 27th April 1828 and is the world’s oldest scientific zoo founded by Sir Stamford Raffles. Originally built as a scientific collection for research. In 1847 it was then opened to the general public. London Zoo wasn’t the first to display animals. However, it was the first designed exhibition for wild animals.
Since opening, London Zoo has had some remarkable milestones which are vital in zoological history. From opening the world’s first reptile house in 1849 and public aquarium in 1853 and then later opening the world’s first insect house in 1881. It has also been home to many famous animals throughout its time, from Obaysch - Europe’s first hippo since Roman times and Guy the gorilla, named after Guy Fawkes because he arrived at the zoo on Bonfire Night.
London Zoo was Tectons debut, with their first contribution being the Gorilla House that opened on 28th April 1933, it was the newest building the zoo had erected in 21 years, and unlike anything, anyone had seen before. These, and other Tecton structures at London Zoo, are still considered iconic early modernist architecture.
Gorilla House 1934
Lubetkin’s first commission after arriving in Britain was the Gorilla House at London Zoo in Regents Park. Constructed between 1922-33, the original design promoted a revolving wall inside a half permeable half non-permeable semi-circle structure which controlled the environment for the gorillas. It allowed them to be outdoors in the summer, and then enclosed and protected from the elements in winter. This also provented visitors seeing an empty enclosure in winter. However, it proved to be unsuitable for large apes and conversion turned it into home to elephants in 1939. Since then it has been used for a variety of purposes since but most recently being used to house fruit bats.
Penguin Pool 1934
The Penguin Pool was completed in 1934 and was the second structure to be designed by Lubetkin and the Tecton Group for London Zoo. It was one of the first structures which proposed a new direction for architecture in Britain. As well as being one of the first to demonstrate the potential of reinforced concrete with the help of structural engineer Ove Avrup - an emerging specialist in reinforced concrete during this time. The success of the Penguin Pool established Ove as the expert in reinforced concrete and introduced the Tecton Group to be the leading architects of their generation. Sadly, the pool has been empty for 16 years after the penguins were moved due to contracting a bacterial infection called bumblefoot. An infection caused by micro-abrasions after prolonged time on abrasive surfaces and less amount of time spent swimming in water. Although the enclosure is now empty, it remains as a homage to Lubetkin’s work.
North Gate Kiosk 1936
A further commission for Tecton following the two previous. Consisting of a reinforced, continuous concrete canopy on steel columns with dark red brickwork, similar to the Entrance at Dudley Zoo. Originally the gate was built in 1926 as an open-sided, six bay range which provided shelter for the ticket sellers and turnstiles. In 1936 Lubetkin and Tecton additions were made consisting of a gatekeepers lodge, exit turnstiles and a kiosk. Proposals were made a year later in 1937 consisting of a cafe, with a cloakroom and a gatekeepers cabin overlooking turnstiles. However, with insufficient endorsement the North Gate reconstruction was never carried out, and the bar has since been removed.
Dudley Zoo Dudley Zoo Dudley Zoo Dudley Zoo
Dudley Zoo Dudley Zoo Dudley Zoo Dudley Zoo
In 1935, proposal to develop the grounds of Dudley Castle into a zoo came from the Earl of Dudley, Mr Ernest Marsh and Captain Frank Cooper. On the 5th May 1937, Dudley Zoological Gardens opened its doors to an estimated quarter of a million visitors, of which only 50,000 were allowed on the grounds due to safety. Spread across 40 acres, the grounds feature an 11th Century castle and limestone caverns – as well as 12 Tecton structures (previously 13).
It presented a range of difficulties from the start, from being given 18 months to design and construct from scratch to limitations on various structures surrounding the castle. However, unlike Tecton’s previous zoo work at London and Whipsnade Zoo, Dudley Zoo was not a flat site and experienced engineering challenges from the known, but unrecorded tunnels and mines. Due to extraction of limestone and coal since 1750. Despite all this, Dudley Zoo became unique compared to the average day-to-day zoo and is now the most sustained example of Lubetkin and Tectons work.
Today the Tectons are either unused or have become a variety of animal housing, paddocks and enclosures.
“for amusement, the choice is more or less limited to the public house, the rather rare cinema and the Saturday football match. Opportunities for outdoor recreation are almost non-existent.“
Situated in the heart of the Black Country, it was one of the most industrialised places in Britain during the Industrial Revolution. The coal mines, iron foundries, glass, steel and brickworks polluted the air with black soot and smoke.
Lubetkin first took a trip through Dudley in the 1920s, eleven years before he moved to Britain.
His first impression shown on the left, depicts truely how the Black Country was for people that lived there.
The rapid increase in workers in the industrial towns and cities of the Black Country, produced the demand for back-to-back terrace housing. These were typically constructed of the cheapest materials
with large families crammed into two or three small rooms. Such homes housed the majority of the working class. Factory owners often constructed the terraces for their workers using the homes to make even more profit. Although when the Housing Act of 1909 ruled out any more construction of back-to-back terraces due to poor sanitation and ventilation, life and health improved for the working class.
This didn’t, however, impact outdoor recreation, as there was still little or nowhere for people to go and enjoy the outdoors, and this is something Lubetkin wanted to change. He aimed to give people an escape from day-to -day working life, using architecture as a tool for social progress.
Berthold Lubetkin
Concrete Conservation
As years have past and zoological practices have developed, some of the Tecton structures at Dudley Zoo have become unused and left to serve only as monuments. Ongoing difficulties in upkeep meant the lack of use has led to inadequate maintenance and deterioration.
Leading to all 12 Tectons being Grade II and Grade II* listed and received World Monuments Fund status in 2009 after recognition for protection.
In July 2011, the Heritage Lottery Fund announced its support for a £1.15 million restoration program at Dudley Zoo. Providing restoration to 4 out of the 12 Tectons. These four being the Grade II* Bear Ravine, Entrance, Station Café and Kiosk One. The majority of the problem leading to restoration was due to corrosion of the reinforcement.
The work began in September 2013 and was completed in 2014. The four structures were then implemented with a programme which will sustain their future use if followed, consisting of fortnightly and monthly cleans as well as annual inspections.
However, the remainder of the Tectons remain untouched with little restoration, and the unintended beauty of these dilapidated structures possess is an honest representation of the tough 1930s and Lubetkins work. Furthermore, the photographs collated for this publication hold the true nature of said beauty, as even vacant structures have stood the test of time, architecturally speaking. Seemingly immortal, the ruptures in the skin of these erections show the delicacy and intricacy Soviet architecture.
Entrance 1937
With the zoo only having a few areas of the ground that have street frontage, there was only one possible space for the entrance building. Sitting at the foot of the hill, it provided eight turnstiles, to cope with the large numbers of visitors expected. The sloping site meant that the single slab roof similar to the North Gate Kiosk at London Zoo was not suitable. Instead, interlocking
S-shaped roof canopies were created to allow the roof to flow downwards. The middle three kiosks have the ‘ZOO’ lettering on the front, creating an iconic design for an entrance of a zoo. The letters are still present today. However, the Entrance is only used during quiet off-peak times. To access the zoo visitors now use the Safari Shop, previously called the Moat Café.
Station Caf é 1937
Station Café gained its name from being close to the railway station. Concrete columns held up a flat slab roof with some of it designed to be partly open air. Three sections between the doorways had unglazed timber lattice frame, identical to that used in the Queen Mary, Moat Café and the Kiosks. Internally, the building had a long curved bar that ran the entire length of the space with the front, side and rear walls being built up.
The Station Café was later enclosed fully. Until 1995 part of the building was a fish and chip shop for zoo customers, and the remainder was a nightclub, which closed in 2002. However in 1996, part of it was converted into a gift shop and entrance, the rest remaining empty. In recent years it also serves as a Tecton exhibition.
Polar Bear Pit 1937
The Polar Bear Pit consists of three separate enclosures, planned to house polar bears, lions and tigers. The geometric forms of the enclosures contrast sharply with the natural hillside background creating an eye-catching design. The complex was built into an area of previous quarrying activity, in a deep ravine similar to the Bear Ravine. The bottom of the ravine was deeply cut out to create space deep enough to build the Polar Bear Pit. The central pit had an elevated terrace, allowing a high-level view down into the three enclosures. Unfortunately, visitors are now unable to access the terraces.
Despite being renovated in 2005, the enclosure is no longer suitable for keeping polar bears. However, an Asiatic black bear called Inca occupied the centre of the ravine since 1990 until she died in 2019. Tigers and monkeys now occupy the other sides side.
Bear Ravine1937
The Bear Ravine is described as the ‘most dramatic’ buildings at the zoo. This structure also makes full use of a deep ravine to create a dramatic landscape and shares common features with the other Tecton buildings within the zoo, such as allowing visitors to see the animals from above. The railing gave adults a raised surface on which they could lean on and allowed children to view the animals without being lifted up.
The enclosure hasn’t housed bears for many years due to not meeting modern animal welfare standards. However, Dudley Zoo has plans to build a new perimeter fence and a single storey hut, hopefully being able to house three or four bears in the near future. But due to the listed status of the structure it requires special approval.
Moat Café 1937
Constructed as the Moat Café, it was one of three eating places within the zoo. Initially, the Moat Café was built on unsuitable land for building as the space would interrupt the view from the castle. However, it was accepted by the Ministry of Works in the end but to lessen its interruption; the structure was created to be as light and transparent as possible. To increase its transparency, it was designed to be partly open-air alike the Station Café.
Similar to the other large structures, it uses the natural incline to its advantage. Allowing the facade adjacent the castle to be low and single-storey inturn the rear acted as a basement level to house stores, the beer cellar and staff rooms. The single-storey front was also built on stanchions to accommodate an aquarium. However, the plans were never carried out.
The Moat Café hasn’t served as an eating facility in years however it now serves as an indoor eating area, a Discovery Centre for education and birthday party rooms.
Queen Mary 1937
The Queen Mary was one of the buildings that design had to be sensitive due to its proximity of the castle. So it was necessary to be a single-storey structure.
The restaurant was the main space for formal eating in the zoo, with two other cafés providing drinks and snacks.
In the 1960-70s the seating at the rear was used as a venue for evening entertainment, from dancing to live acts.
Today it still remains in use as a restaurant and can also be used as a wedding venue.
Sea Lion POOL1937
The Sea Lion enclosure was designed to sit within the castle moat. The long, low profile of the pools were intended to be hidden and provide a large viewing area without jeopardising the view of the castle. To provide a visual connection with the castle and to avoid too much contrast between the old and the new, the retaining walls at the rear of the pools, and the bridge connecting the pools, were constructed in local rubble stone.
In the 1970s adaptations were made by adding to the perimeter to increase the volume of the pools to accommodate an orca named Cuddles. However, the salt used to aid the whale’s buoyancy accelerated the rapid deterioration of the structure, and repairs were made in the 1990s. Since then the pools have housed sea lions and have received restoration work again in 2015.
Tropical Bird House 1937
The Tropical Bird House was in a less sensitive site compared to the structures near the castle, and this enabled the design to be bolder without significant height restrictions. At the time, the design was remarkable for its engineering and spatial qualities.
It was initially built to house semitropical birds and incorporated a heated indoor house and an external balcony, which allowed some of the birds to be displayed outside during warmer months.
The steep site served as a link for the two levels. The upper level gave access into the Tropical Bird House and surrounding balcony, providing a wide view over the zoo grounds as well as a view down into the bison enclosure. Steps gave access to the area below the house, where the balcony doubled as a
shelter for visitors in wet weather.
Inside, a circular wire mesh cage filled the centre, creating a large aviary. The other aviaries were white-tiled and mesh-covered in a range of sizes which lined the wall of the entire structure from one side of the entrance to the other.
The Tropical Bird House has not been used for its original purpose in over 30 years and has been fully closed for ten years, having last being used as a dinosaur dig. In 2017, as it is no longer considered practical to display tropical birds within the building, plans were made to transform the Bird House into an indoor exhibit for a range of small South American species. However, plans were halted when heritage officials stated they would prefer to develop plans for all the remaining unrestored Grade II listed Tecton structures on-site, instead of focusing on just one.
Reptile Pit 1937
A small and simple structure, the Reptile Pit was built to house small, none territorial reptiles. There were, in fact, no barriers
between the visitors and animals; alternately, a small moat ran along the inside of the perimeter wall. The structure remains mostly
unchanged from its original construction and serves its current purpose to house Meerkats.
Elephant House 1937
The Elephant House was built to house elephants, as well as camels and Shetland ponies. The Elephant House had a dual purpose, both housing and exhibiting animals. It also connects the paths and roads of the zoo at different levels.
The roof of the Elephant House doubled as a viewing platform and is level with the higher terrace. Either side of the building, stairs give access to the lower terrace, where the entrance to the interior of the building is. It was designed similar to the other Tectons, so visitors could view the animals from the canopy beneath or the gallery above.
Unlike other enclosures, elephants were not separated from visitors with heavy bars. They were separated by a row of spikes and a ditch. The spikes served as a barrier, keeping the elephants inside the enclosure due to pain it would cause by stepping on them.
Since debut, the building has undergone significant alterations however it ceased to house elephants in 2003 and remains unused.
Two kiosks are located within the zoo. Simple structures, both obeying the same design comprising of an elliptical concrete roof slab supported by steel columns, beneath was a contained small storeroom whose walls do not touch the roof above. The elliptical canopy roof extends over the footprint of the Kiosks on all sides, providing shelter for queuing visitors.
In 2014, Kiosk one was restored to its original blue and red colour after stripping away 20 layers of paint spanning over seven decades.
From the day the zoo opened in 1937 until the 1980s, the Kiosks sold cigarettes and confectionary until a change in health and safety regulations provoked its closure. The Kiosks today are unused, however they provide archieved photographs of the past at Dudley Zoo and serve as a reminder of Lubetkins work for Dudley Zoological Gardens.
Berthold Lubetkin : Architecture and the Tradition of Progress
John Allan
Conservation of Tecton Buildings at Dudley Zoo, West Midlands
