K6 Telephone Kiosk

SANDWICH

752/5/401 CATTLE MARKET 20-FEB-89 SANDWICH K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK

(Formerly listed as: NEW STREET SANDWICH K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK (SANDWICH 611168))

II K6 telephone kiosk. Cast iron, glass and perspex.

DESCRIPTION: This K6 is representative of a standardised design made of cast iron, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in the door and sides, with the crowns situated on the top panels being applied not perforated. There are rectangular white display signs, reading TELEPHONE beneath the shallow-curved roof. It has modernised internal equipment. It is fairly intact, although some windows have been replaced in perspex, and it is missing a small section at the bottom right hand corner of its door. This kiosk is located between the East Kent Road Car, and St. Johns Hospital Almshouses, both listed Grade II. There are more listed buildings approximately 20m to the east of the kiosk: Nos.2, 4, 6 and 8, and also 10 and 12 Cattle Market (all listed Grade II). Additionally, approximately 20m to the north of the kiosk is listed Grade II No.12 Delfs Street. These listed buildings form a group when viewed from both the north of Delfs Street and the south of Cattle Market, and the kiosk therefore has a close visual relationship with more than one listed building.

HISTORY: The K6 telephone kiosk is a milestone of C20 industrial design. The K6 was designed by 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 telephone kiosk design of 1924, of Neo-classical inspiration. The K6 was more streamlined aesthetically, more compact and more cost-effective to mass produce. 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 far plainer kiosk types. But many still remain, and continue to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The K6 telephone kiosk at Cattle Market, Sandwich is designated at Grade II for the following prinicipal reasons: * Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935, the K6 is a major landmark of industrial design. * This telephone kiosk has a strong visual relationship with more than one listed building collectively.

Listing NGR: TR3297158183