Azabudai Hills in Tokyo | GRC Claddings

Azabudai Hills in Tokyo is the result of a 30-year redevelopment effort led by Mori Building Company. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, one of its most striking features is the net-frame GRC facade, manufactured with Aalborg White cement.

White cement was key to delivering the signature grid pattern of the project. Huiliao Group manufactured 13,000 m2 of GRC curved elements, mixing white cement with 4-8 mm aggregates to achieve a tactile exposed-aggregate finish. This type of surface is particularly challenging on curved forms, where even small inconsistencies can interrupt the visual continuity.

The high whiteness and purity of Aalborg White cement provide the ideal base tone, producing a soft beige colour that brings out the grain and texture of the aggregates. The resulting facade is visually rich and refined, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship involved.

Designed under the concept of a “Modern Urban Village,” the project blends high-density urban functions with warm, human-scale environments. Azabudai Hills also stands as a strong reference for TOD development, seamlessly connecting community retail with transport links to encourage low-carbon mobility.