Summary
K6 telephone kiosk, designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Reasons for Designation
The K6 Telephone Kiosk adjacent to 32 High Street, Oxford, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as an iconic design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, one of the leading British architects of the period.
Group value:
* for its strong visual relationship with multiple listed buildings along the High Street, particularly: All Souls College, Wardens Lodging (Grade II*), University College, Gatehouse University College, North Range (Grade I), Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I), All Souls College, Gateway to High Street at Eastern End of the Frontage (Grade II), 33 & 34 High Street, Oxford (Grade II) and The Queen's College, South Range (Grade I).
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. The K6 was a development from his earlier highly successful K2 telephone kiosk design of 1924, of neoclassical 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 far plainer kiosk types. But many still remain, and continue to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.
Details
K6 telephone kiosk, designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
DESCRIPTION: the K6 is a standardised design made of cast iron sections bolted together, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in door and sides and 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.
Although there are some signs of paint flaking, the kiosk remains intact. It is generally in good condition and retains its glazing panels. The kiosk is not in operational use and the internal telephone equipment has been removed.
The K6 stands on the north side of Oxford High Street, outside All Souls College. It is situated near to many listed buildings and has a strong visual relationship with these. They include: All Souls College, Wardens Lodging (Grade II*), University College, Gatehouse University College, North Range (Grade I), Church of St Mary the Virgin (Grade I), All Souls College, Gateway to High Street at Eastern End of the Frontage (Grade II), 33 & 34 High Street, Oxford (Grade II) and The Queen's College, South Range (Grade I).
