Covering the entire river-facing frontage of Bridge House, the Mitchell Engineering Mural was one of Peterborough’s most distinctive pieces of post-war public art. Designed and carved in situ by Arthur J. Ayres in 1955, the monumental bas-relief stretched across 51 Portland stone panels and depicted a vivid array of mythical and historical figures from science and engineering. Its flowing design combined classical symbolism with modernist abstraction, celebrating human ingenuity and the industrial achievements of Mitchell Engineering Ltd – the building’s original occupants.
Commissioned as part of Bridge House’s Scandinavian modern design by architect Howard V. Lobb, the mural became a familiar sight for anyone crossing Town Bridge, particularly local football fans heading to “Posh” home games. The building also featured an innovative drawing office with panoramic riverside windows and a reflective, wave-patterned metal ceiling to diffuse light evenly.
About the Artist:
Arthur James John Ayres was a British muralist and sculptor renowned for his large-scale architectural works. Trained at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, he specialised in integrating sculpture into building design, often using stone to create deeply incised reliefs with narrative and symbolic content. His commissions across the UK reflect the optimism and craftsmanship of mid-20th-century public art.