Penguin Pool

The Penguin Pool, located in the Zoological Gardens of Regent's Park, was built in 1934 by architects Lubetkin and Tecton, with Ove Arup as the structural engineer and Felix Samuely as the engineer for the contractors, J.L. Kier. This pool was the second project commissioned by the Zoological Society from Lubetkin and Tecton, following work at Whipsnade in the same year.

Constructed from reinforced concrete, the pool features slate-paved steps, "plastic rubber" (a mixture of cork chippings, rubber, and cement) around the flat pool edges, and an exposed concrete finish on the ramps. The elliptical pool is designed with cantilevered interlocking spiral ramps and an elliptical enclosure that includes a parapet, which rises to create a framed viewing aperture, canopied at one end. The two interlocking ramps, which are independent of each other, extend 14.021 meters without any intermediate support, with depths varying from 152 mm to just 76 mm. At the top of one ramp, there is a glass-fronted diving tank. The ramps are designed to remain continuously wet due to a revolving fountain.

The Penguin Pool is a significant example of British and International Modern Movement architecture, showcasing remarkable structural and technical innovation for its time. The design reflects the behaviourist and environmental research principles that also informed the Gorilla House, aiming to create a dynamic and almost abstract architectural display for observing the penguins.