Dudley, United Kingdom
Designer: Tecton
Contributed by: davidb
In 1935 the Earl of Dudley proposed building a zoo within the grounds of Dudley Castle. Following advice from London Zoo, Tecton was appointed to design 13 buildings for the project, which have become the largest extant group of the practice's buildings in the UK. Built around the limestone hill below the medieval castle, this was the largest structure that Tecton designed for the zoo and is built into a natural ravine. At the heart of the complex is the circular polar bear pit featuring a number of curving viewing galleries. Originally water filled, at its centre a large skewed concrete structure can still be made out which was intended by the designers to be a concrete "iceberg" from where the bears could dive into the water below. Large enclosures for big cats are located on either side. A toilet block, also by Tecton can be found nearby, at a lower level. The Grade II* listed structure is no longer considered suitable for polar bears.
Address
Castle Hill
DY1 4QF Dudley
United Kingdom