Summary

A K6 telephone kiosk.

Description

A K6 telephone kiosk.

MATERIALS AND PLAN
The K6 is constructed mainly of cast iron and glass, and is square on plan.

DESCRIPTION
The K6 is a standardised design, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in the door and sides, and with the crowns in the top panels being applied not perforated. There are rectangular white display signs which read TELEPHONE beneath the shallow domed roof.

This K6 appears to be in good condition, with glazing and display signs intact. It stands opposite the Claycutter's Arms (Grade II), and is near to the Chapelry (Grade II, approx. 40m to the E) and St Paul's Church (Grade II, approx. 60m to the SE). It has a good visual relationship with these listed buildings collectively.

History

The K6 telephone kiosk is a milestone of C20 industrial design. It 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 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 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 Listing

The K6 telephone kiosk opposite the Claycutter's Arms in Chudleigh Knighton is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Design Interest: the K6 is recognised as an iconic design which is of intrinsic interest;
* Degree of survival: the kiosk appears to survive well;
* Relationship with listed buildings: it has a good visual relationship with three listed buildings, particularly the Claycutter's Arms.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q66478526

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)