Output details

Tecton structures by Lubetkin: Dudley Zoological Gardens [architectural paint research]

Context:

Twelve structures at Dudley Zoological Gardens were constructed between 1935 and 1937 by the Tecton practice, founded by Berthold Lubetkin. This complex survives as the only collection of interrelated Tecton designs in Britain and one of few remaining throughout Europe

The research resides in the following processes: -

Site visits and sampling allowed researchers to use their knowledge of historic sites to select appropriate places from which to take paint samples (Tecton report p.4)

Microscopic analysis revealed patterns in the paint stratigraphy allowing individual paints to be identified (Tecton report p. 5-13)

Collation of the paint sample analysis allowed analysis of the decorative scheme as a whole and allowed researchers to identify the nature of the original decorative scheme (report p. 4)

Insights included: -

• the identification of the earliest scheme on the ‘flying’ features: a strong mid blue cementitious limewash, which set the trend for the rest of the site where roof canopies in mid blue are a recurring feature.

• the identification of the original scheme applied to the joinery: a cream enamel paint finish, which was created by applying an off cream zinc oilpaint with a cream tinted zinc based varnish over it.

• the identification of the original scheme on the Kiosk: which used bright aluminium paint for the canopy support columns and red brick paint along the base and walls and cream zinc enamel on the shelving.

Sharing:

The research was commissioned by Dudley Zoological Gardens in order to provide them with colour references for redecoration and shared in two reports.

Contribution:

Michael Crick Smith was principal investigator for expertise of historic paint techniques, sampling strategy, interpretation of paint stratigraphy and interpretation of research findings. He was co-author of the report.