An empty pool at London Zoo tells a wider story
Jul 14th 2024
Set between the llamas and the Land of the Lions, the penguin pool in London Zoo is a mini-modernist masterpiece. Built in 1934 and designed by Berthold Lubetkin, it is sleek, swooshy and perfectly proportioned; its cantilevered concrete ramps, slender as apple peelings, were revolutionary. Its penguins looked less as though they were living in it than, as in an architect’s illustration, modelling for it. There was just one problem with this piece of modernist perfection. The penguins didn’t like it.
The refurbished concrete hurt their feet. The elegantly shallow pool was too shallow. The minimalist white walls were too white, and hurt their eyes. London Zoo’s keepers do not like to talk about penguins being “happy” or “unhappy” (it is anthropomorphising). But, says Jessica Fryer, team leader of penguins and flying birds at the zoo, some of the penguins’ feet became “so sore”. They developed a foot disease that, in its severest form, can lead to penguins being put down. It may not be possible to say whether penguins are “happy” or “unhappy”. But “dead” is definitely worse than “alive”.
The penguins were moved out in 2004. The pool has been empty ever since. Lubetkin’s daughter has suggested it is “time to blow it to smithereens” but that is not an option, for it is listed. It cannot be repurposed (and certainly not re-porpoised) as it is too shallow and not right for other animals. London Zoo is considering what to do with it but has as yet reached no decision. The penguin pool has become a white elephant.
Photograph: Getty Images
