Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Lubetkin and Tecton's buildings were also significant in that they affirmed the
importance of architecture and planning in the nurturing process. They were
biological cultivation in essential form, stripping away layers of culture and treating
the animal organism as a series of characteristics and desires. The 'scientific' nature
of the zoo projects allowed Tecton to embark on the detailed analysis and survey
that would become their hallmark. During the four-day design period for the
Gorilla House Lubetkin bombarded Zuckerman, an expert on primates, with a
series of questions about the habits and environmental needs of gorillas. Zuckerman
had already published
The Sexual Life of Primates
and published
The
Social Life of
Monkeys and Apes
in 1932 (see Haraway 1992). His research methods were
unorthodox: he placed a baboon named Betsy in the Hampstead home of the
architect Clough Williams-Ellis for several months as he wanted to see how it would
react to 'bright, intelligent young society'. The Williams-Ellises were noted for their
progressive child-rearing, it seems, and it was even thought that the baboon might
baby-sit for them. But, as Clough sadly reminisced, this was '[n]ot the social success
that we had hoped, unresponsive and dirty, we bade our disappointing little lodger
farewell without regrets' (Williams-Ellis 1980:157).
Although there was surprisingly little agreement on ideal conditions for enclosed
gorillas, Lubetkin generated a consensus based on existing research. This showed
that they were particularly prone to catching human diseases like flu and colds.
They were also sensitive to bad weather, despite coming from the Belgian Congo
with its variable climate (
The Times
1932). Lubetkin solved this problem in the
Gorilla House, opened in April 1933. Rather than attempting to reproduce their
native habitat in the Congo, he produced the pure, constructivist form of a concrete
cylinder building with a cage frontage that could be closed off by sliding screens
during inclement summer days. It could also be permanently closed during the
winter, creating an interior viewing space for visitors. This—together with a raised
stage and recreational apparatus—created a balance between care for animals and
human curiosity. There were also powerful electric lamps to simulate sunshine. In
addition, a circulation system was devised that would purify and humidify the air. As
one professional journal put it: 'The air [the gorilla] breathes is washed free from
dust and fog, heated, humidified and served up as hygienically as possible. If the
anticipations of the architects are fulfilled it is obvious that the best place in London
for a breath of fresh air will be the Gorilla House' (
Architectural Design and
Construction [ADC]
1933:317).
Considerable press attention focused on the apparent autonomy granted to the
animals. A push-button water fountain in the centre of the cage, for instance,
allowed the gorillas to drink and to bathe when they chose. This, doubtless in
concert with the apparently 'human' character of the primates (they were often
referred to as 'star comedians', 'variety performers' or 'entertainers'), stimulated an
immense amount of anthropomorphism in the press. For instance, the revolving
walls were built,
