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Lubetkin and the 3 Bears
This book is based on the historical concrete structures ‘Tectons’
that were built for Dudley
Zoological Gardens. The Earl of Dudley and local businessman Mr E. Marsh
commissioned Russian born Architect; Berthold Lubetkin to build the Zoo.
Lubetkin worked alongside the Tecton Group to complete 13 of these structures
ready for when the Zoo opened in 1737
Once upon a time there were 3 brown bears: Mummy Bear, Daddy
Bear and Baby Bear. They all lived in a very, very small house and were really
unhappy. One day 2 men came to visit; the Earl of Dudley and Mr Marsh a local
businessman who promised to get the bears a brand new house built, big enough
for them all. The bears were so excited
they decided it would be the perfect time to go for a walk. While they were out enjoying the beautiful sunshine, a man; Berthold Lubetkin who was new to this part of town spotted the bear’s small house and decided to have a closer look. He knocked on the door but there was no answer, so he just went inside. As Mr Lubetkin went into the house he had to bend so far down he nearly fell over, the door was just too small.
When he was inside he couldn’t even stand up, so as he tried to move around the house he just kept getting stuck. Mr Lubetkin continued to look around the house trying to figure out who lived there. With no such luck he decided to leave.
As Mr Lubetkin tried to get out of the house he bumped into the three bears who were really puzzled by this strange man squeezing out of their front door. “What do you think you are doing in our house?” growled the bears.
Looking a little scared he tried to scramble out door a
faster but was slightly stuck, eventually Mr Lubetkin managed to squeeze himself
out. He told the bears how he was curious about who would live in such a small
house and that he was saddened that they had to live in such a place. Mr Lubetkin
told the bears about the big building projects he had done before and how he
was willing to help them out. The bears sent Mr Lubetkin to see The Earl of
Dudley and Mr Marsh who had already promised the bears a new home.
Mr Lubetkin told the
two men how this build would not just benefit the three bears but the whole of
Dudley Town. “Housing is so vital a need, affecting so many aspects of the life of the people that it must not be left to the vagaries of private enterprise. The provision of efficient houses must not be organised nationally through legislation designed to encourage the use of the best technique and to discourage racketeering.”
After meeting up with
the Earl of Dudley and Mr Marsh, Mr Lubetkin was ready to take on another big
project but he only had a short amount of time to do it. So he called on some
of his friends to help him out The Tecton Group. Mr Lubetkin really wanted to
give the bears the best house he could.
Mr Lubetkin visited the bears to show them the plans. They
were so excited.
“Architecture is the
tool for social progress” he told them.
“To pass from theory to action requires the conjunction of
the following factors: a political power of the kind we want – clear sighted
with firm convictions and determined to bring into being the best living
conditions that have been worked out and committed to paper."
The bears looked a little confused but still nodded and
agreed with him, as they were really excited. Baby Bear was so excited; he kept
rolling around and around, until he got very dizzy.
Mr Lubetkin and the Tecton Group got to work and a few weeks
later he brought the 3 bears to see their new house. They were so excited. They
went inside and looked around but they were still unhappy. “This house is just
too square!” they moaned,
“I won’t be able to roll around and around in a square
house!” shouted Baby Bear. Mr Lubetkin looked a little puzzled; he sat down to
think for a while and then he left.
Mr Lubetkin and the Tecton Group got to work on a new house
for the bears. A few weeks later he returned and took the bears to see their
new house. They were so excited. As the bears got to their new house they were
really puzzled by the look of it,
“This house looks
like a big chimney.” Mummy Bear said. Daddy Bear sighed, (Big Sigh) “let’s just
go inside and take a look it might be perfect.” So off they went inside the
house. Mummy Bear walked around the house and was disappointed
“This house is just too round.” Moaned Mummy Bear.
Mr Lubetkin looked a little puzzled.“You walk around and around and then end up back in the same place. Now I’m all dizzy.” she sighed and with a very sad face she sat down to rest.
Mr Lubetkin sighed (BIG SIGH),
“Man makes his environment to co-operate with
his purpose, his changing preferences and pre-occupations produce a new
environment. Yet this changed environment itself generates change since it in
turn conditions the new man with his newly acquired needs and possibilities.
And since Architecture clearly forms a substantial part of our environment, it
is logical to conclude that it influences the changed man, however
imperceptible and gradual this process might be at times.” And off he went.
Daddy Bear looked at Mummy Bear ………..
A few weeks passed by and Mr Lubetkin returned with the best
news ever. He promised the bears that he had got their house perfect this time.
As they reached the house Mr Lubetkin told them how this was
his best design. He told them how he had managed to create them a big
open-aired space, big enough for them all. They were all extremely excited and
ran straight towards their house.
“Here materials and shapes have been
introduced which seek to re-establish what may be called normal human contact.
The natural wood in which the walls are panelled has warmth, texture and
variety. The occupant of the room can lean against the walls without care, and
even plant a dirty hand against them…. These points may seem to be small
factors in interior architecture, but they are more important than their
practical expediency.” Said Mr Lubetkin
The three bears were rather puzzled and just looked at each
other, but as they were so excited the bears didn’t question Mr Lubetkin, they
just entered the house and looked around. They knew it was perfect! They all said “it’s not too square; it’s not
too round, This Is just right!”
The bears were so happy; there was so much space they
couldn’t wait to show their friends. They couldn’t believe they had been given such
a great big space to live in. As a big thank you to Mr Lubetkin and the Tecton
Group the bears announced they were going to name their house The Tecton, which
made Mr Lubetkin really happy.
As the weeks passed by more and more structures; a lot like
the bears were built, eventually there were thirteen. They were all called The
Tectons. The three Bears were even happier as now they weren’t alone and they
always had many daily visitors.
After all the structures had been finished and everyone had
moved in, Mr Lubetkin made a grand announcement
“I have the unfashionable conviction that the
proper concern of architecture is more than self-display it is a thesis, a
declaration, a statement of social aims of the age. How can one exercise a value
judgement when one is confronted with magic? Yet it is here for us to see.”
Mr Lubetkin left leaving behind his legacy and believing he
had given the three bears a paradise to live in. He truly thought they were
destined to live happily ever after, BUT DID THEY?? ‘The concrete problems of socialist building construction ought not to be limited to the mere planning of industrial and social processes in terms of space and material; form ought not to be allowed to fulfil their functions merely passively. They should, on the contrary create a powerful impression on ideology of the masses by every plastic means which the imagination can command. It does not displease, it merely lacks its full flavour until the cook explains.... Modern Architecture can get through to us in our own language.’
