■Entrance Panels with Special Metal Finishes

KIKUKAWA participated in the construction of three entrances for the commercial complex ‘SHINSUI Building’, which is directly connected to Shin-Tsunashima Station on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line.
Three types of decorative cladding panels were fabricated and installed: zinc phosphate steel wall panels, sulfurized patina-style aluminium wall panels, and wood-grain aluminium louvers. By showcasing the broad expressive potential of metal finishes, KIKUKAWA contributed to the creation of distinctive and refined entrances across the building’s elevations.

■A Randomized Aesthetic with Phosphating and Sulfurized-Coloured Coating

The wall panels flanking the east entrance are hot-dip galvanized steel with a zinc phosphate finish. Among the available finishes, PZ-02, a mid-tone color that accentuates the distinctive crystal pattern (spangle) of phosphate treatment, was selected. The panels measure up to W1,000mm × H3,000mm.
For the west entrance, aluminium panels with special coating that replicates the organic irregularities of natural sulfurized patina were installed in a randomized arrangement, with each panel exhibiting subtle tonal variations.

To accommodate the architect’s design intention to avoid uniformity in every part of the finish, the phosphate and sulfurized patina-style coatings – known for their naturally random patterns and tonal variations – were selected for the project. While these finishes offer more organic and varied aesthetic, they also present challenges in controlling colour and pattern due to their inherent irregularity.
To align with the architect’s vision, we took extra measures such as preparing multiple samples in different shapes and conducting a full-scale layout inspection at our factory.

Click here to find out more about zinc phosphate coating
Click here to find out more about sulfurization finish

■Roof Panels and Wood-Grain Louvers

Installing the aluminium rooftop and trims with a gray fluororesin paint coating on the sloped west entrance – where multiple gutters intersect – was particularly challenging due to the complex structure. We tackled this by creating 3D models and verifying the shapes on-site during installation.
The north entrance façade features wood-grain textured aluminium louvers, adding warmth to the exterior design.

■Comprehensive Metalwork Execution Utilizing Our Expertise

This project made extensive use of special metal finishes – an area in which KIKUKAWA excels. Leveraging our profound expertise, we worked closely with the client to propose effective ways to apply these technically demanding finishes within the architectural framework. Thanks to the trust placed in our capabilities, we were commissioned to handle all fabricated metalwork around the entrances, delivering a cohesive and high-quality result.