Telephone Kiosk

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Freestanding cast-iron K6 Telephone kiosk, erected c. 1940, based on designs of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, located to the east side of Kings Road. Square-on-plan.

Kiosk consists of cast-iron frame containing plain glass with margin lights and horizontal glazing bars, to all but east elevation, which is blank. Entrance to north side; stainless steel handle. Kiosk surmounted by frieze, containing illuminated signage ‘TELEPHONE’ and central Tudor crown cipher; segmental-arched-headed domed roof.

Historical information

The red telephone kiosk dates from 1924, when a competition was held to design a kiosk more suitable for London than the earlier concrete boxes. The K6 (Kiosk No.6) model was released in 1936 to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George V. The Tudor crown was originally the crown used in the cipher, later changed when Elizabeth II became monarch, to the St Edwards crown, in a general move away from the widely used Tudor crown motif.

References
Secondary
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_telephone_box, accessed 15-12-08
2. http://www.redphonebox.info/history.htm, accessed 15-12-08

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
V. Authorship

Evaluation

A freestanding cast-iron K6 Telephone kiosk, erected c. 1940, based on designs of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, located to the east side of Kings Road. The telephone kiosk is an earlier K6 model, indicated by the Tudor crown cipher (later models contain the St Edwards Crown, since 1952). The kiosk retains much of its original fabric and remains in use in its town centre location, contributing positively to the Whitehead conservation area.