Moby Dick in the city of Turin: conservation issues of the former aquarium-reptilarium of the zoological garden

Although considered as «valuable evidence of civilisation» and expression of a specific historical-cultural period, the heritage of the twentieth century has in the past, and sometimes still does, undergone interventions that have determined its radical transformation or almost destruction. The lack of adequate recognition of its cultural value has led to the implementation of interventions irreversibly changing the original layout. This is the case of the former aquarium-reptilarium of Turin Zoological Garden, designed by architect Enzo Venturelli at the end of the 1950s; an expressionist and rationalist building connoted by particularly interesting and articulated architectural and structural solutions. The contribution intends to deepen the knowledge of the building, its specific features, and transformations, highlighting the problems related to the conservation of the contemporary architectural heritage.