COVENTRY TILED MURAL

The Coventry tile mural was designed by architect and urban designer Gordon Cullen in 1958, Originally located at the entrance to the Lower Precinct shopping centre, the mural featured scenes of early Coventry, medieval maps, and representations of the city's industries and architecture.

In 2002, during a redevelopment of the Lower Precinct, the mural was dismantled and relocated to its current position in a nearby corridor. At the time, the restoration plan was developed in consultation with English Heritage. The relocation process involved cutting the mural into large sections to preserve its integrity. While some elements, such as the medieval maps, were lost over time, the remaining sections continue to serve as a reminder of the city's resilience and the vision of its post-war planners. The mural is composed of three steel-framed panels that artistically depict Coventry’s historical journey.

As a result of its importance, and in preparation for Coventry’s City of Culture 2021 celebrations, I was called to clean the tiles and re-repair some of the most visually aged, but structurally stable, repairs. Although conservation materials undergo scientific analysis to assess their durability and ageing properties, they are still prone to ageing, and some of the repaired areas were reaching the end of their life span.

Condition before intervention

The surface of the mural had gathered layers of dirt and dust from its public surroundings, as well as stubborn deposits left over from previous interventions. In some places, lime encrustations had formed over the tiles, particularly along cracked glaze lines. Additional issues included stained tile surfaces, chipped and broken tiles, loose mortar, corroded sections of the steel frame, and residue from public interaction such as labels or foreign materials.

The treatment aimed to clean, stabilise, and subtly restore the mural while respecting its character and historic values. The key interventions were as follows:

Surface Cleaning:General dirt and environmental build-up were removed using a mild detergent solution applied with cotton wool and brushes. Tougher residues were carefully scraped away using scalpels. Salt deposits were reduced, although some residual staining remained visible, especially on darker tiles.

Re-retouching Old Repairs:Where older repairs had become discoloured or overly prominent, surface layers were cleaned or removed. New layers of colour and glaze were applied to blend these areas more effectively with the original tiles, improving the overall aesthetic.

Minor Filling and Repainting:Small areas of damage were refilled using stable and durable materials. These fills were polished and hand-painted to match the surrounding colours and finish, helping to reduce the visual impact of earlier damage.

Stabilising Broken Tiles:At the lower left corner of the mural, two broken tiles were stabilised. Though realignment was not possible, the break edges were secured and surrounding gaps were filled and retouched to prevent further deterioration.

Re-grouting:On the right-hand side of the mural, failing grout was removed and replaced. Edges were first consolidated to ensure a firm bond, and the new grout was colour-matched to the original.

Treating the Steel Frame:Corroded areas of the steel frame were polished to remove rust. A protective wax coating was then applied to slow future corrosion and maintain its appearance.

This careful treatment has helped preserve the mural’s structure and design while ensuring its continued enjoyment by the public.