A new architectural landmark called Tor Alva has opened in Mulegns, Switzerland, created through advanced 3D concrete printing techniques. The white tower, designed to revive a village with only 11 residents, will be open daily for guided tours starting May 23, with performances planned beginning in July. The structure was created through collaboration between the Origen cultural foundation and ETH Zurich, and is designed to remain in place for approximately five years before potentially being relocated.
The tower features 32 sculptured white concrete columns arranged over four stories that become progressively thinner and more branched toward the top. Architects Michael Hansmeyer and ETH Professor Benjamin Dillenburger designed the structure using complex algorithms that generate both ornamental and structural elements simultaneously. The form references the emigration history of confectioners from Graubünden who exported their skills throughout Europe.
The project utilized a novel concrete mixture developed by ETH Professor Robert Flatt that could bond delicate structures while hardening quickly enough to support subsequent layers. What distinguishes this project is that the 3D-printed elements serve as load-bearing components rather than just decorative shells. This was achieved through a newly developed reinforcement concept called “reinforcement that grows,” where one robot applies concrete layers while a second places ring-shaped reinforcement every 20 centimeters.
Production of the columns took five months at the ETH Hönggerberg campus before assembly in Savognin and transportation to Mulegns. Researchers also developed new testing methods to reliably calculate the load-bearing capacity of 3D-printed concrete, addressing a key requirement for safety verification comparable to conventional reinforced concrete structures.
ETH Zurich President Joël Mesot described the tower as “a symbol of collaboration between the science community and industry” that combines research insights with industry expertise. Giovanni Netzer, founder of the Origen cultural foundation, noted that “The White Tower is more than a technical triumph — it inspires the building sector, encourages sustainable tourism and offers new cultural space.”
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin praised the project’s collaborative nature, stating: “The 3D-printed White Tower recalls the legacy of the Graubünden confectioners while showcasing innovation and collaboration. Novel ideas and technical know-how from ETH Zurich, the visionary drive of the Origen cultural foundation and support from public authorities, companies and private individuals made this exceptional project possible.”
Source: ethz.ch