An old pump house in Kent has received a welcome transformation in the form of a tile mural.
Many UK public and industrial buildings, especially those put up in the 1970s, have often been levelled as grimly functional, cheaply built and lacking any aesthetic value. While many of these rather uninspired structures have long disappeared, many remain, are still in use and are not being demolished any time soon.
Ceramic tile murals are a perfect way to bring new life into these old structures, giving them a contemporary feel, a lively attractiveness, and, importantly, a firm grounding in the local history and culture. Ceramic tiles have the sturdiness to survive British weather and the ravages of time, while retaining a fresh and invigorating appearance, drawing the eyes of those who live and work nearby.
The Chatham Pumping Station is one such structure that received the ceramic mural treatment in September 2025. A collaboration between ceramic artists Jose Den Hartog and Nicole Mollett, and supported by the Dutch Embassy UK, “The Story of Water”, draws themes from maritime history, river ecology and waterworks engineering, highlighting the powerful historical, industrial and cultural ties linking Chatham to the River Medway. The mural was commissioned by Medway Development Company, and project managed by Public Art Consultants, Francis Knight.
At Digital Ceramics Custom Tiles, we use advanced tile printing technologies to faithfully reproduce a designer’s creative vision. If you are a designer or architect working on a new venture which could include a decorative tile mural, contact us soon and we can discuss how our products could become a key element in your latest project.
Talk to us today and find out how we can transform a project of any scale into an exciting visual experience.
