A disused red phone box in Belfast has become an unlikely exhibition space with a powerful message.
The kiosk has been transformed by John Donnelly with three finely detailed plaster cast architectural models to highlight the ongoing risk to the city’s built heritage.
His Model Citizen project features the old Curzon Cinema that once stood on the Ormeau Road; the art deco Bank of Ireland building on Royal Avenue, which is due to be rejuvenated through the Belfast Stories initiative; and a city map highlighting the listed buildings in Belfast currently on the Heritage at Risk register.
The project was overseen by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA).
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The model of the Bank of Ireland building on Royal Avenue
The transformation of the phone box was the result of a design competition for early-career architects run in partnership with JP Corry.
Entitled ‘Please replace the handset and try again’, the competition was won by Julian Manev, James Boyd and Erl Johnston for their proposal for a micro-gallery to showcase all forms of local design.
RSUA director Ciarán Fox said: “It is wonderful to see what’s possible when creativity is put at the heart of the process of reimagining even the smallest elements of our built environment.”
RSUA acquired the telephone box as part of the BT Adopt a Kiosk scheme last year.
He added: “When we adopted this listed phone box it was completely rundown and attracting a lot of anti-social behaviour.
“Julian, James and Erl have delivered something beautiful.”
Mr Manev thanked Mark Todd Architects for supporting them in the process, working alongside Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District and Obin Specialist Joinery to bring the design to life.
“It’s been a joy 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,” he said.
The new Design Box in front of Belfast’s Assembly Rooms
Mr Fox said: “I hope the project not only shines a light on the exhibits, but also on the need for urgent action to save the historically important Assembly Rooms, which are the backdrop to the phone box.
“The building hosted the Harp Festival of 1792 at which Edward Bunting notated, and in doing so, preserved much of the ancient music of Ireland which was in danger of being lost as the aural tradition faded.
“This is a small project on the corner. But corner by corner, with a creative approach, we could make a big collective impact on the city.”
The condition of the 250-year-old Assembly Rooms on the corner of North Street and Waring Street has been described as “catastrophic”, and Belfast City Council has been urged to step in and save the listed building before it is too late.
The company behind the stalled £500m Tribeca project in that part of the city had earmarked the former Northern Bank as a potential boutique hotel.
But campaigners are calling on the council to refuse planning permission and make public use of the space instead.
The Design Box gives a new lease of life to the disused phone kiosk while also paying homage to its original function of communication.
As the exhibition changes regularly, members of the public will have the opportunity to engage with the Design Box’s content around-the-clock.