Tecton kiosks provide a window into the past

The two Tecton kiosks at Dudley Zoo are offering a fascinating window into the attractions past by displaying an archive photo of the site in their windows.

Visitors can spot a black-and-white photograph behind the framed window of Kiosk One, located near the Bear Ravine, which dates from the 1940 – 50s and shows crowds buying Teddy Gray’s confectionery and ice-cream from the Tecton.

Kiosk Two, located by the Triple Tecton complex, features a sepia coloured photograph of the nearby castle and keep and moat pool circa late 1940s. Graphic Designer, Rachel Lane, said:

“Displaying photographs this way is another method of showcasing the zoo’s rich history and allows visitors to peek through the windows and actually glimpse Dudley Zoo's past.”

The site has the world’s largest single collection of Tecton structures, designed by Russian architect Berthold Lubetkin and constructed between 1935-37 using a specialist system of reinforced concrete.

The 12, which include the two kiosks as well as the gated zoo entrance, safari shop (formerly the Station Cafe), Queen Mary Restaurant and Discovery Centre (formerly the Moat Cafe)  were granted World Monuments Fund Status ten years ago. 

A further six animal enclosures complete the list; the former polar bear triple complex (which now houses tigers and Howler monkeys), elephant house, sealion pool, reptile pit (now home to the zoo's meerkats), tropical bird house and bear ravine.

To find out more about the Tecton buildings at the Zoo, head online to tectons.dudleyzoo.org.uk.

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