Aquarium and Reptile House in Turin

Abstract

The new installations at the Turin Zoo include the following. In the basement: the reservoir with sea water, the flowout arrangements for the aquarium tanks, and the biological compartments. In the semi basement there is an aquarium, which includes five biological compartments, ten water containers, and two service stairs. On ground level there is a central entrance, the management’s offices, the public entrance, the ticket office, and the washing rooms. From the entrance steps lead down to the aquarium, and other stairs take the visitors to the first floor, where the reptile house can be inspected. The latter has 16 chambers, with elevated gangways, from which the public can enjoy a good view of the animals. The crocodile house is in the centre building. Enzo Venturelli has provided an expressionist type of external design, which he terms «nuclear architecture», whilst the interiors are successful solutions to the many and difficult technical, structural and functional problems set by this very specialised building.