Saving Dudley Zoo: presented by Purcell’s Jon Wright and BNP’s Larry Priest

As part of the Twentieth Century Society’s programme, on the 10th of August, Purcell’s 20th century expert and C20 Heritage Consultant, Jon Wright and Director of BNP, Larry Priest, will discuss Dudley Zoo's Tecton structures.

Dudley Zoo features curvaceous concrete structures designed by Berthold Lubetkin and his London-based Tecton practice which was founded in 1932. Built in 1936-1937, each of the 12 Tecton structures (originally13) were designed to respond to the topography of the site - the steep series of wooded hillsides that make up Castle Hill.

Lubetkin was a renowned Modernist architect and his ‘Tecton’ structures are some of the most important Modern movement buildings in the UK. As Dudley Zoo’s architectural needs have changed to fit today’s zoological practices, Lubetkin’s structures have gained a new purpose as monuments which pay homage to the glamour and excitement of early Modernist design. Some remain in use, but others are now empty. An ongoing conservation project, supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Getty Foundation, is currently repairing the structures.

As part of the Twentieth Century Society’s programme, on the 10th of August, Purcell’s 20th century expert and C20 Heritage Consultant, Jon Wright and Architect from BNP, Larry Priest, will discuss the Tecton structures and the local and national attempts to save and conserve them. This talk is presented in association with the West Midlands Committee.

As this event has now passed, you can watch the talk on YouTube, please click here.