Castle Restaurant At Dudley Zoo

PLAN: The main building is triangular on plan, with an elongated front range to the south. A basement-level range housing ancillary functions runs south-eastwards from the south-east corner of the building.

MATERIALS: Reinforced concrete, some stone rubble walling, and timber windows to the long, glazed elevations.

EXTERIOR: The building is a low, wide single storey to its main elevation, which faces south and is aligned on a bridge over the sea lion pools, which leads into the castle at the top of the mound beyond. The south elevation has a central entrance under round concrete arch, which continues towards the rear of the building as a barrel vault. The elevation is largely glazed, with square-framed timber windows extending floor to ceiling from under the arch to the final bay of the elevation on each side. The end bays, which house kitchens and service functions, each have a row of small, square windows above walls of rubble stone, matching the castle which the building faces. The side elevations, visible from the lower slopes, are filled floor-to-ceiling with outward leaning, horizontally-sliding timber windows.

INTERIOR: The building is divided into two main spaces: the entrance lounge, now housing the service counter; and the seating area of the restaurant to the rear. The building's structure is visible in both sections: concrete beams are carried on plain columns, and the roof slab, which is raised in a conic form, presents an arched appearance, increasing the sense of height inside the building without adding to the apparent external height. The original terrazzo floor covering has been concealed by later vinyl flooring, and the bar, which was designed by the architects to allow it to serve both the lounge and the restaurant, has been replaced with modern fittings.