Summary
A K6 telephone kiosk.
Reasons for Designation
The K6 telephone kiosk near Old Forge Cottage, Stokeinteighnhead, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Design interest: the K6 is an iconic example of C20 British design, with intrinsic value;
* Degree of survival: the kiosk survives relatively intact;
* Relationship with listed buildings: it has a strong visual relationship with a number of listed buildings, all standing within the Stokeinteignhead Conservation Area.
History
The K6 telephone kiosk is a milestone of C20 British design. It was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 for the General Post Office, on the occasion of King George V's Silver Jubilee. The K6 was a development from his earlier, highly successful K2 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. Many were replaced from the 1960s onwards, but many remain, and continue to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.
Details
A K6 telephone kiosk. MATERIALS AND PLAN
The K6 is constructed mainly of cast iron and glass, and is square on plan. DESCRIPTION
The K6 is a standardised design, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in the door and sides, and with the crowns in the top panels being applied rather than perforated. There are rectangular white display signs which read TELEPHONE beneath the shallow domed roof. The K6 adjacent to Old Forge Cottage in Stokeinteignhead appears to survive reasonably intact. The kiosk has been adapted internally for modern use, with modern telecommunications equipment*. It stands in a central location in the village and is opposite Old Bailey Farm (Grade II) and close to Rose Cottage, the Church House Inn, Carlton House and Victoria Farm (all Grade II). It has a good visual relationship with these buildings collectively. * Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ('the Act'), it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest.
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