In “Zoo unveils bigger and, it says, better ape house” (Page 1, June 7), staff reporter William Mullen refers to the mostly underground Great Ape House of 1976 as being designed for “hygiene and utility” that struck visitors as being “bleak.” He also mentions how successful it was for animal comfort and propagation.
My former partners, Dan Brenner, George Danforth and H.P. Davis Rockwell, were the architects for this building. If he had talked to us, he would have learned:
– The building was intentionally built into the Earth to not intrude upon, but rather conserve, the natural landscape of Lincoln Park, the opposite of more recent zoo buildings.
– The dimly lighted corridors were intended so that visitors in shadows could see well and not disturb the animals unless either or both of the cousins wished to put their noses against the glass, as they often did.
– The habitats on opening day contained tropical plantings and rain showers programmed to go off intermittently through the day. The Chicago Park District, operator of the zoo at that time, was unable to provide the budget or staff to maintain these features and the interiors suffered due to a lack of commitment rather than intent.
If ever a building has earned historic landmark status, this one did with its popularity for visitors and inhabitants. If ever a building earned merit for conserving precious parkland while successfully serving its purpose of providing habitats with unobtrusive public observation, this one did so with distinction. Our friends tell us they are sorry to see it go.
