Switzerland started a new chapter in architectural innovation this week with the opening of Tor Alva (“White Tower”), the tallest 3D-printed building in the world. Rising at nearly 30 metres, the white structure is now the landscape-defining construction of Mulegns, a remote mountain village with just 11 residents.
A partnership between ETH Zurich and the Origen cultural foundation, the project exemplifies the digital fabrication breakthrough in construction. Utilizing a robot-assisted 3D printing process, engineers created complex load-bearing concrete elements without any traditional formwork. “The tower combines the latest insights from research with the expertise of companies and experts,” said ETH Zurich President Joël Mesot at the opening ceremony.
Designed by architect Michael Hansmeyer and ETH Professor Benjamin Dillenburger, the structure is more than just a technical miracle. Its sculpted concrete columns, resembling tiered confections, pay homage to local confectioners who once emigrated across Europe. Each column was printed layer by layer using a novel concrete mixture developed by ETH Professor Robert Flatt, bringing both fluidity and rapid setting to enable the intricate, ornamented forms.
The building illustrates a new approach to using 3D-printed concrete in structural reinforcement. A dual-robot system places both the printed concrete and reinforcing elements simultaneously. “Until now, reinforcement has been a major limitation,” explained Flatt. “We’ve developed a method that grows with the structure, opening the door to fully structural 3D-printed buildings.”
The tower’s impact extends beyond engineering. “The White Tower is more than a technical triumph,” said Origen founder Giovanni Netzer. “It inspires the building sector, offers new cultural space, and gives a fading village a new chance. That’s extraordinary.”
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin defined the project as “a cultural and touristic landmark” born of visionary thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Starting May 23, the tower opens to the public for guided tours, with performances planned from July. For now, Mulegns may be small, but its ambitions are as monumental as Tor Alva.
