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Architect dials up Edinburgh telephone box makeover

December 15 2016

Architect dials up Edinburgh telephone box makeover
The sight of a suited office worker scurrying into a phone box may be limited to Superman films no longer after Miles Broe Architecture have thought outside the box for the conversion of two historic red telephone boxes outside the National Library of Scotland to form self-contained office pods.

Thinking outside the box M B will working within the footprint of the existing listed cubicles, leaving the exterior unaltered with the sole exception of a new key-pad operated mortice lock. Inside it will be a different matter however with a printer, scanner, water cooler, air freshener and (yes) a phone all squeezed inside.

In a statement MB said: “The concept of a public telephone box is now outdated as the majority of people own a mobile phone. The proposed new use maintains their iconic appearance but re-invents their use to suit the 21st century. The concept of adapting phone boxes to different uses has been adopted throughout the country with over 2000 to date adapted to varied uses.”

Occupants will have their own desk within the confined space which can be rented by the hour, a countdown clock indicating when the 1.2sq/m booth must be vacated.

Examples of re-use include a booth in Hexham which has been repurposed as an art gallery and a converted phonebox in Lewisham which now functions as a library.

6 Comments

Nairn's Bairn
#1 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 15 Dec 2016 at 17:41 PM
That looks bigger than the room I had at my last practice. And it has daylight. When can I move in?
Gamma Ray
#2 Posted by Gamma Ray on 16 Dec 2016 at 19:22 PM
Is this a joke? Two red shelves and a water cooler?
Bored
#3 Posted by Bored on 17 Dec 2016 at 16:38 PM
"architecture".....
Inahuf
#4 Posted by Inahuf on 22 Dec 2016 at 13:41 PM
I remember using phone boxes as a student as our flat didn't have a phone - they were freezing in the winter and stifling in the summer. Anyone who can do an hours work standing in one of them deserves a medal more than a bill. Why wouldn't you just go to a coffee shop and get your laptop out in a nice place for the price of a cuppa??
Terra
#5 Posted by Terra on 22 Dec 2016 at 22:23 PM
Repurposing into a mini-gallery? Yes, great idea, how quaint. An mini-office? When did you last take your meds?
Seriously, I think it's great these wee things are being reused as they have character but for goodness sake, an "office"?
Cadmonkey
#6 Posted by Cadmonkey on 23 Dec 2016 at 09:24 AM
Given the location is the obvious use for this not to repurpose it as student accommodation?

(By the way my eagle cadmonkey door schedule eye for detail spots a London red bus so this image is of a different site.)

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