K6 Telephone Kiosk West Of St Michael'S Church

1091/0/10005

COMPTON PAUNCEFOOT BLACKFORD K6 Telephone Kiosk west of St Michael's Church

22-JUL-08

GV II

K6 Telephone kiosk designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and made by various contractors.

MATERIALS: Cast iron and glass.

DESCRIPTION: It is constructed in cast iron, with three glazed sides in eight registers with margin lights, and a solid rear side with reeded decoration. The Soane-inspired canopy dome is placed above the four arched sides, each with a crown in relief above a glazed panel inscribed 'TELEPHONE'. The interior contains modern telecommunications equipment.

HISTORY: The archetypal K6 telephone kiosk was introduced in 1935 to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George V and is commonly known as the 'Jubilee Kiosk'. It was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott as a development of his earlier K2 kiosk design of 1924. Its design has become iconic and represents the careful adaptation of Neoclassical design, influenced by the work of the Regency architect Sir John Soane, to a mass produced object with a modern technological function.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION: The K6 telephone kiosk in Blackford is designated for the following principal reasons: * An iconic example of industrial design, showing Giles Gilbert Scott's adaptation of Neoclassical forms for a modern technological function.

• A good example of the type, situated at the heart of the Blackford Conservation Area and with visual relationships to nearby St Michael's Church (Grade II*) and Beehive Cottage (Grade II).