05/12/2024
The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has unveiled the smallest public exhibition space in Ireland in a repurposed red telephone kiosk in the heart of Belfast.
The RSUA Design Box transformation is the result of a 2023 RSUA/JP Corry Early Career Architects Design Competition entitled ‘Please replace the handset and try again’. The winning entry, submitted by Julian Manev, James Boyd and Erl Johnston, proposed the refurbishment of the listed K6 telephone kiosk at the junction of North Street and Waring Street into a small, special gallery space, showcasing Northern Irish design.
Ciarán Fox, Director of RSUA commented, “The Design Box exemplifies the power of design to bring light back to the neglected parts of our city. Nestled beside the historic Assembly Rooms in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, and sitting at the ‘Four Corners’ junction from which all milestones out of Belfast were once measured, the Design Box honours and adds to the area’s significance to the built environment.
What was once a dilapidated phone box will now act as a beacon in the city’s artistic and cultural landscape. While other investment projects in the area have been stalled, it’s great to see what can be achieved through thoughtful intervention.”
Julian Manev, from the design team added, “To repurpose the K6 telephone kiosk into a little gallery, we introduced a new four-columned architectural display vessel within the existing structure. This simple architectural object enables a large variety of display possibilities and exhibition modes. The listed kiosk structure has been carefully restored to its original state. Whilst the K6 originally allowed people to communicate at long distances through the telephone inside, our ‘Design Box’ enables a new outward public communication of design through its iconic windowed structure. The core purpose of communication is therefore retained.
We are incredibly thankful to Mark Todd Architects for supporting us in the delivery process, and working alongside Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District and Obin Specialist Joinery to bring our design to life. We can’t wait to see members of the public engaging with the Design Box – the first of its kind, and for local talent to have such a unique space in which to display their work.”
The Design Box’s first installation is from architect John Donnelly, as part of his personal project ‘Model Citizen’. The theme for the inaugural exhibition, ‘Lost and Exposed’, focuses on our built heritage at risk. It showcases three models: one highlighting a lost building in Belfast, the Curzon Cinema that once stood on the Ormeau Road; another featuring the Bank of Ireland building on Royal Avenue which is due to be rejuvenated through the Belfast Stories project; and a city map highlighting in red all other listed buildings in Belfast city centre on the Heritage at Risk register. An illuminated point on the physical map in the ‘Design Box’ represents the location of the telephone kiosk to help orientate the visitor.
Ciaran McConnell, Managing Director, JP Corry said, “We were delighted to continue our support of the emerging generation of architects in Northern Ireland through this project. We welcome seeing exciting and innovative projects like this one in Belfast.”
The Design Box gives a new lease of life to this phone box whilst also paying homage to its original function of communication. Members of the public will have the opportunity to engage with the Design Box’s content at all hours, as it will serve as a platform for round-the-clock design communication.
