K6 telephone kiosk

Summary

K6 telephone kiosk, erected after 1955.

Reasons for Designation

The K6 telephone kiosk at Winfrith Newburgh is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Design interest: the K6 kiosk is recognised as an iconic design which is of intrinsic interest, and this particular example is unusual in having representations of both the Coronation crown and the Crown of Scotland to its panels;
* Historic interest: an iconic example of industrial design, showing Giles Gilbert Scott's adaptation of Neoclassical forms for a modern technological function;
* Degree of survival: it appears structurally complete.

History

The K6 telephone kiosk is a milestone of C20 industrial design. The K6 was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 for the General Post Office, on the occasion of King George V's Silver Jubilee. It was a development from his earlier highly successful K2 telephone kiosk design of 1924, of Neo-classical inspiration. The K6 was more streamlined aesthetically, more compact and more cost-effective to mass produce. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (1880-1960) was one of the most important of modern British architects; his many celebrated commissions include the Anglican cathedral of Liverpool and Battersea power station. The K2 and K6 telephone kiosks can be said to represent a very thoughtful adaptation of architectural tradition to contemporary technological requirements. Well over 70,000 K6s were eventually produced. In the 1960s many were replaced with a new kiosk type. Many still remain, however, and continue to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.

Following the accession of Elizabeth II in 1953 the General Post Office (GPO) changed the crown on the K6 from the Tudor crown to a representation of the Coronation crown (the St Edwards Crown). It was initially used in all parts of the United Kingdom, however, from 1955; a representation of the Crown of Scotland was introduced for kiosks in Scotland. From that date, K6 kiosks were subsequently manufactured with a crown slot to accommodate the different crown designs depending on the proposed location of the kiosk. One of the crowns on the kiosk at Winfrith Newburgh is a representation of the Crown of Scotland, indicating that it was erected after 1955. It is unclear why this crown is present on a K6 intended for an English location, but it may have been added by mistake when the kiosk was assembled.

Details

K6, erected after 1955.

The K6 is a standardised design made of cast-iron, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in the door and sides and with the crowns situated on the top panels being applied not perforated. The crowns on the K6 at Winfrith Newburgh not only include representations of the Coronation crown, which was used in England from 1953, but also has one depicting the Crown of Scotland; they are painted gold. There are rectangular white display signs, reading TELEPHONE beneath the shallow-curved roof. It has modernised internal equipment. The kiosk occupies a prominent position on the main road through the village, situated beside the post office (unlisted).

Sources

Websites
Phone boxes, accessed 1 December 2016 from http://www.canterbury-archaeology.org.uk/phone/4590809522

Other
Purbeck District Council, Winfrith Newburgh Conservation Area Appraisal Document (December 2014)

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