Marine & Walk Yokohama: clay tile facade case study
Marine & Walk Yokohama is a waterfront open-air shopping complex in Yokohama, Japan. This source-bounded case study preserves LOPO’s six original images and 2017 tile-development account while separating verified building facts from missing product and contract records.
A waterfront street rather than an enclosed mall
The facility’s official description presents Marine & Walk as an open mall beside the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, connecting sea and greenery along a central street of shops, restaurants and cafés. The developer’s project record identifies the Shinko waterfront location and the February 2016 completion.
The 2017 LOPO text described an intentionally aged tile appearance intended to support the warehouse-street character. That is a design account, not proof of age, weathering, durability or any other performance.
What the archived tile record says
The original article says the first test sample came from LOPO’s handmade clay tile range and was developed with an unnamed designer’s idea into the appearance shown at Marine & Walk. The official facility source identifies RIA as the building designer, but the available record does not establish who approved or specified the clay tile, so that sample-development statement is not reassigned to RIA.
| Field | Archived record | Evidence boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Product description | Clay / terracotta facade tiles; the first test sample was described as based on handmade clay tiles. | No current product data sheet, body, installation system or exact area is supplied. |
| Thickness | Two tile thicknesses were said to be used. | The actual thickness values and where each was used are not stated. |
| Surface variation | Three different quantities of a material the English source calls “black power” were used for each thickness. | The term is undefined and may be a typo; no composition, amount, colour tolerance or six-item schedule is provided. |
| Model | Not stated. | Do not derive a model from the image, related products or later catalogues. |
| Face size | Not stated. | Do not estimate dimensions from joints, doors, plans or photographs. |
| Project quantity | Not stated. | The word “quantity” in the source refers to the surface material amount, not ordered tile quantity. |
Tile variation within the architectural composition
Colour range
The source describes deliberate dark variation rather than one uniform red. Current work inspired by this precedent would need physical samples and an approved range, not colour selection from web photographs.
Module and joints
Horizontal tile courses and varied unit lengths are visible, but no module schedule is recorded. Dimensions, tolerances, corner units and joint width must not be reverse-engineered from the images.
Edges and adjacent materials
The photographs show tiled walls beside dark metalwork, glazing, signs and base zones. They do not reveal concealed supports, membranes, movement joints or interface details.
Project precedent boundary
A completed appearance can guide visual discussion; it cannot approve a new project’s structural, fire, water, thermal, acoustic, weathering or maintenance requirements.
Information to request for a comparable project
A current design discussion should identify the exact tile body, model, face size, thickness, surface recipe and accepted variation; the substrate, adhesive or mechanical support and joint strategy; corner and opening details; project exposure and applicable tests; sample and mock-up approvals; lot traceability; cleaning and replacement provisions; quantities, commercial scope and responsible parties.
Use the archived photographs to explain the intended character, then base specification and approval on current product documents, physical samples, coordinated details and project-specific evidence.
Discuss a custom clay tile facade
Send the project location, elevations, target tile character, module, preliminary quantity, substrate/system concept, performance requirements, delivery destination and programme. Request current samples, scoped technical evidence and a written commercial offer.