Standing 30 metres tall amidst the quiet Swiss Alps, Tor Alva, or “White Tower,” has been officially unveiled as the world’s tallest 3D-printed tower. The architectural marvel, shaped like a layered cake, is the latest project to blend cutting-edge construction with cultural preservation in one of Europe’s most remote villages.
A collaboration between the cultural foundation Nova Fundaziun Origen and leading academics from ETH Zurich, Tor Alva aims to revive the near-abandoned village of Mulegns—currently home to just 11 residents—by introducing a landmark that blends heritage, design, and advanced building technology.
A Tower with Cultural Layers and Modern Technique
The four-storey tower sits atop a former blacksmith’s workshop and was revealed dramatically when a helicopter lifted the cover concealing it. Its form, inspired by ornate cakes, pays tribute to Graubünden’s historic confectioners who once emigrated across Europe, carrying their craft abroad.
“This tower is more than an artistic feat—it’s a symbol of memory and hope,” said Giovanni Netzer, founder of Nova Fundaziun Origen. “It brings new life to a fading village through architecture that inspires.”
Designed by architect Michael Hansmeyer alongside ETH Zurich professors Walter Kaufmann, Robert Flatt, and Benjamin Dillenburger, the project was executed with help from ETH Zurich’s spin-off company Mesh and construction firm Zindel United.
Engineering Innovation Without Formwork
The structure comprises prefabricated 3D-printed concrete components—each a load-bearing element—produced at ETH Zurich’s Hönggerberg campus over five months. Using an additive manufacturing process, robotic arms applied concrete in thin layers, while steel rings were inserted every 20 cm to reinforce the material. Additional longitudinal rebars were later installed to enhance structural integrity.
“Unlike traditional construction, this process eliminates the need for moulds or formwork,” the team explained. “Each piece is connected via removable screws and post-tensioning cables, making the structure fully dismantlable and reusable.”
ETH professor Robert Flatt developed a unique concrete mix that hardens rapidly. Two custom additives were added just before extrusion, allowing for a distinctive droplet texture on the tower’s intricate columns.
A spiral staircase inside the structure links its four levels, leading to a domed rooftop performance space, which will soon host cultural events and guided tours. The project marks the first time this printing method has been used for structural—not just decorative—components.
A Model for Digital Construction and Rural Revival
Tor Alva is not only a showcase of digital fabrication’s potential but also a model for sustainable, reusable construction and rural cultural revitalization. After five years in Mulegns, the tower is expected to be dismantled and reconstructed elsewhere, making it a mobile monument.
“Tor Alva stands at the intersection of digital design, cultural memory, and traditional artistry,” added Netzer. “It redefines what architecture can do for forgotten places.”
This project joins other recent 3D-printed landmarks including the world’s first 3D-printed railway station in Japan and a forthcoming 3D-printed Starbucks in Texas. It follows in the footsteps of designs like Harmonic Tides by Arthur Mamou-Mani, which explore the poetic possibilities of 3D-printed structures in contemporary architecture.