History of Dudley Zoo

Dudley Zoological Gardens opened in the spring of 1937. In a bold move, the architectural practice Tecton, led by russian-born Berthold Lubetkin, were commissioned to design thirteen structures which abstained from the notion of naturalistic environments. Tecton created a series of 13 concrete modernist structures that housed the animals and the public facilities.
The Zoo Entrance, Bear Ravine, Polar Bear Complex, Elephant House, Penguin Pool, Sealion Pool, 2 cafes, restaurant, 2 kiosks, Reptiliary and Birdhouse.

It was constructed on 30 acres of a 200-acre wooded site, owned by the Earl of Dudley, which included the 11th century Dudley castle.

They viewed the zoo as a microcosm of society, and aimed to protect the welfare of the animals while meeting visitors' demands for a clear view from a safe position.

Using reinforced concrete Luetkin's team created a revolutionary new design of building:  Tectons.
The design of Dudley zoo was structurally daring and made use of a new material, pre-stressed concrete.  Reinforced with steel rods inserted under tensions, the concrete could be bent into curves and forms impossible to achieve with other materials.

Eye-catching curving lines and projecting floors could be constructed which did not resemble any previous architectural style.

Dudley Zoo was described as 'the most modern in Europe, a zoo without bars' which it opened to the public in May 1937.  At the time, there was no television, hardly any pictures in the papers and people were not used to seeing live exotic animals.  On its opening day, over 250,000 people descended upon Dudley, and only 50,000 people were allowed in to the zoo.

The group of 12 Tecton buildings remaining (The Penguin Pool unfortunately had to be demolished in 1979) were granted World Monuments Fund status in 2009, ranked alongside such iconic landmarks as Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.
Photographs of Dudley Zoo in 1937: