The UK's classic red phone boxes are being repurposed for a more contemporary need: mobile handset repairs. The British company Lovefone, which has repurposed thousands of phone boxes over the last few years, is opening the world's tiniest repair shops inside disused phone booths, with the first launching on London's Greenwich High Road last week. While keeping the iconic outside intact, Lovefone has retrofitted the phone booth with a workspace for a single repairperson. Designed by Battersea Power Station architect Giles Gilbert Scott, the red phone booths are internationally recognised symbols of British culture but have been rendered obsolete by the rise of mobile technology.
Lovefone CEO and Co-founder Rob Kerr described the project as a design challenge due to the structures being made of cast iron and heritage listed, but the challenge obviously didn't put him off, as in recent years, the booths (around 2000 of which are heritage listed) have been adapted for numerous new uses such micro work spaces, sandwich shops, libraries and galleries. These repair shops are just the latest example. The company worked with a designer on the retrofit, which includes a wooden workbench, and storage for tools and parts.
The design is rather clever, making the best possible use of the limited available space. A perforated screen behind the bench provides a point of interest, as well as a place to affix a magnetic tool holder at eye level. While the company initially considered open storage, the final designs feature closed cupboards and drawers for a more clean look. Kerr said of his company's latest retrofit job: “Our aim was to create an environment that didn't seem or appear crowded despite the fact that we needed to fit in all the equipment, parts and storage for what is in effect a tiny shop. We also want to keep the windows of the box as open as possible so members of the public can see inside.”
As well as operating as repair shops, the retrofitted booths will house free charging docks in keeping with the idea that these boxes did and should retain an aspect of public service. The company plans to open six of the repair shops in Greenwich and Knightsbridge initially, and aims to have 35 locations in London in 18 months' time. As impressive as the boxes are, however, the retrofit is not actually permanent. Lovefone are essentially renting the boxes through the Red Kiosk Company, which leases the boxes to small businesses.
The UK's distinctive red phone boxes originate from Gilbert Scott's 1923 design, called the K2. As well as Battersea Power Station, Gilbert Scott's contributions to British architecture include the House of Commons, Waterloo Bridge and Liverpool Cathedral. A smaller, cheaper version of the K2 was installed in the late 1920s, followed by the short-lived, concrete K3. The most successful version, the K6 model from 1939, was used across the country for decades and is included in the Design Museum's permanent collection.
