Mainz Customs Harbour – Chipped clinker bricks as a design element
The architecture of the Mainz Customs Harbour reflects the turbulent history of the harbour area – and it is precisely this authenticity that blrm architekten have drawn upon in their façade design. Instead of flawless surfaces, they have opted for chipped clinker bricks. Each brick has a unique texture created by deliberate chipping. This traditional craftsmanship gives the material a powerful, raw appearance that reveals the original texture of the fired clay.
In combination with the architecture, this creates a dynamic interplay between materiality and form. Whilst the clean lines of the building speak a modern, minimalist language, the chipped clinker deliberately has an archaic feel. It tells of the past, of craftsmanship and of the patina that buildings only develop over time.
The irregular surface refracts light in a way that no smooth surface could ever achieve. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, the chiselled edges shift between deep shadows and shimmering reflections. This dynamic effect brings the façade to life and lends it an unmistakable identity.
With this deliberate choice of material, blrm architekten make a powerful statement in favour of architectural authenticity. The broken clinker bricks not only embody a rough, primal aesthetic, but also allude to the material’s artisanal heritage and origins. Every building in Mainz’s Zollhafen thus carries a piece of history within it – a contrast to the smoothness and uniformity of modern architecture.
