In London, "the tiling of over 90 tube platforms, and associated passageways, staircases and surface-level booking halls, probably amounted to the largest single creation of decorative art on public display anywhere – and arguably the longest and thinnest art gallery in the world. Each station had a unique coloured pattern along the entire length of its platforms and some of them are reproduced here to give just a small flavour of their impact. Platform walls were tiled to over the height of a man and were up to 350 feet long – in all some six miles long”

Click here to learn more about the splendour of the original London Underground tile designs.

Thankfully, Johnson have become involved again in a restoration projects in partnership with the London Underground system.

A high profile example of Johnson's approach can be seen with its involvement at the extensive refurbishment project at Oxford Circus, one of the busiest tube stations in the London Underground network. Focusing on sustainability and the benefits of recycling, the refurbishment has seen the original tiles made by Johnson over twenty-five years ago carefully removed and sent back to the same leading tile manufacturer's factory in Stoke-on-Trent to be recycled back into the new tile body. Over 15,000 square meters of original tiling has been removed from several platforms and interconnecting corridors at the tube station, which handles up to 55,000 people per hour in peak periods and sent to H & R Johnson to be recycled back into the new tiles. Designed by Atkins Design on behalf of Metronet Rail BCV and London Underground, the new look Oxford Circus will utilise over 15,000 square meters of exclusive ceramics designed to London Underground's own specifications in Gloss White and Black, creating a modern yet durable environment.

Other Applications

The same product is marketed in the USA as a part of the Minton Hollins and Studio Minton series. Traditional white, bone and biscuit colorways and crackled white and cream colors for an aged look.