I wish more zoos would include such exhibits. It can be so fascinating to observe colony animals at work. If only zoos would get the message that multi-million euro / pound / dollar exhibits are not the only thing that makes for a great institution. Small & humble can be beautiful too. Many non-specialist zoo visitors have fond memories of such exhibits and nevertheless are often not all that impressed by the mega-structure exhibits.Architects should never be allowed to dominate zoo development programs - the predictable result is often monolithic structures designed to generate construction business with little thought for the true value to the institution.
I agree look at the Old elephant house in London zoo, designed by Sir Hugh Casson a well known artist! now with listed status, if it was demolished along with the penguin pool, possibly brick by brick and rebuilt in a museum the space could be used for more suitable animal displays. The Hancock museum in Newcastle upon Tyne used to have a display such as this, it has been revamped since I left tyneside so I don't know if it is still there, I have pondered the idea of doing something in my own little zoo shed with Wasps or hornets, but as some one who is allergic to both I could be dicing with death if the glass container broke or fell off whilst I was in there too. Dean
