KX Telephone Boxes: From Original Designs to Modern Developments

The KX telephone box is a design that's been around since the 1930s, and it's still recognizable today. Its original design was created by architect Giles Gilbert Scott, who also designed the iconic red telephone box.

The KX design was first introduced in 1935 and was meant to be a more modern take on the traditional telephone box. It featured a distinctive hexagonal shape and a door that opened from the side.

The KX design was widely adopted across the UK and became a familiar sight in towns and cities. Its compact size and easy-to-use design made it a practical choice for rural areas where phone lines were scarce.

One of the key features of the KX design is its durability, which has allowed it to withstand the test of time. Many original KX boxes are still in use today, a testament to their enduring design.

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The original KX telephone booths were designed by DCA and re-engineered by GKN after an initial batch of pre-production models from America proved flimsy.

They are of light-weight construction using stainless steel struts affixed to a stainless steel rear panel and roof, into which anodised aluminum components formed frames around glass/acrylic windows.

The original KX telephone booths also featured sound proofing back boards and a windswept gap at the base to prevent litter from accumulating, as well as "better lighting".

The KX100 is a remarkable original model. It was released in 1997.

This motorcycle was a significant upgrade from its predecessor, featuring a more powerful engine and improved handling. The KX100's engine produced 24 horsepower.

Its lightweight frame and sleek design made it a favorite among young riders. The KX100 weighed around 165 pounds.

The KX100 was known for its reliability and durability, making it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced riders.

The KX200 is a hooded unit designed for street sites and indoor locations where acoustic protection is needed.

It's available as a single pedestal version, the KX200, or a double pedestal version, the KX200D.

The KX200D model takes up less space than a pair of units placed back to back in confined spaces.

A KX200 consists of a back panel and a flat roof that supports two glass or acrylic panels.

These glazing panels originally displayed a BT logo, but over the years, they evolved with the company's corporate identity.

The glazing panels stop short of the ground at around knee level.

The KX Series was a line of telephone boxes designed by British Telecom (BT) for various locations. They were created to meet specific needs and circumstances.

The KX410 and KX420 were two hooded phone booths on posts, ideal for sites with little ground space or prone to vandalism, featuring a simple telephone and BT logo on both sides of the structure. These booths were also considerably shorter than other designs.

The KX520 was introduced for indoor use, such as shopping centres, and featured a telephone mounted to a post with two small windows and a hood with an extending tab displaying the BT logo.

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The KX300 is a triangular unit designed for flexibility in siting and to enable full use of available floor space.

It was designed to be used in groups, although many were erected alone, and its triangular shape provides acoustic and weather protection.

The KX300 has raised sides to prevent litter accumulation, a feature also found in the KX100.

There are two versions of the KX300: a pillar-mount assembly with two windowed sides, and a panel mount assembly where one of the windowed sides is omitted.

Doors became more common in the post 1991 livery era, and initially, KX300 units were door-free, but a standard KX100 door could be fitted by removing the transom sign.

The KX520 is a design suitable for use indoors, often found in shopping centres. It's essentially a telephone mounted to a post.

This design features two small windows joined at the top of the booth to the left and right. The windows are topped by a hood.

Underneath the hood is an extending tab that features the BT logo.

The KX Series is a great choice for many users, offering a range of benefits that make it a standout product.

One of the key advantages of the KX Series is its high-performance capabilities, which are made possible by its advanced technology and powerful hardware.

With the KX Series, you can expect fast processing speeds and efficient performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks and applications.

The KX Series also offers a range of customization options, allowing users to tailor their experience to their specific needs and preferences.

This level of flexibility is a major plus, as it enables users to get the most out of their product and achieve their goals more effectively.

In the 1990s, KX telephone boxes started to be replaced with new designs.

The new designs were more modern and sleek, but they didn't have the same charm as the original KX boxes.

The classic KX design was phased out in favor of the new ones, but many people still preferred the original.

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By the early 2000s, most KX telephone boxes had been replaced, and the classic design was largely gone.

However, some KX boxes still remain in use, particularly in rural areas where the new designs haven't been installed yet.

The KX telephone boxes that remain in use are often refurbished to keep them in good condition.

The KX telephone boxes are getting a new lease on life. The Phonebox Campaign Revived is a great example of how these iconic structures are being repurposed.

In 2017, the KX telephone box was voted the UK's favourite phone box, beating out the classic red phone box. This recognition is a testament to the KX's unique design and functionality.

The KX telephone box was designed to be a more modern and secure alternative to the classic red phone box. It features a sleek, stainless steel design and a secure door that can be locked when not in use.

The KX telephone box was originally intended to be used as a public phone, but it's also being repurposed as a mini post office and a secure location for the public to access vital services.

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