Summary

A K6 telephone kiosk, of 1935, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, which stands surrounded by listed heritage assets on the edge of Chenies Village Green in Buckinghamshire.

Description

The K6 is a standardised design made of cast iron, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in the 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.

The K6 kiosk stands with glazing intact and slightly faded signage in a picturesque setting on the edge of Chenies Village Green. It is located in close proximity to a C19 parish pump and shelter which is located on the green (Grade II, National Heritage List for England 1124843). The telephone kiosk stands across from the C17 timber-framed Old Well Cottage (Grade II, NHLE 1124842) and adjacent to a group of three listed mid-C19 estate cottages namely 44, 45 and 46 Chenies Village (Grade II, NHLE 1158720).

The telephone kiosk has a strong visual relationship with these listed buildings and structures collectively.

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 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 his Battersea power station. The K2 and K6 telephone kiosks can be said to represent a very thoughtful adaption of architectural tradition to contemporary technological requirements. Well over 70,000 K6s were eventually produced. In the 1960s many were replaced with a new kiosk type. But many still remain, and continue to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.

Reasons for Listing

The K6 telephone kiosk at Chenies Village Green, Buckinghamshire is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

* Historic interest: on account of its public historic associations, including the commission of the K6 from a renowned architect, in celebration of King George V's Silver Jubilee;

* Design/Aesthetic interest: the K6 is an iconic C20 industrial design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott;

* Group Value: as a K6 kiosk which has a strong visual relationship with at least three surrounding listed buildings and structures within the historic setting of Chenies Village Green.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26677631

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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