- Dimensions
- Height: 30.0 m including an existing base
- Diameter: 7.0 m to 9.0 m
- Theater
- Capacity: 36 visitors
- Total height: 8.0m, covered by dome
- Structure
- Four levels with 32 3D-printed columns
- Double dome made of 32 branching columns
- Columns are reinforced and fully structural
- 124 3D-printed elements in total
- 3D Print
- 2500 extruded concrete layers in total
- 10 mm layer height, 15-20 mm layer width
- Total robot path length: 250 kilometers
- Total print time: 900 hours
- Ornament
- Columns each have three scales of articulation
- Each column has a unique material-driven ornament
- Façade
- Removable flouscrim membrane
- Location
- Mulegns, Switzerland; on the Julier Pass
- Architecture
- Benjamin Dillenburger (ETHZ DBT)
- Michael Hansmeyer
- Team DBT: Ana Anton (Research lead), Elena Skevaki, CheWei Lin,
- Ming-Yang Wang, Lena Kitani, Su Huang, Konrad Grasser (ZHAW)
- Supporting Structure
- Walter Kaufmann (CSBD)
- Alexandro Giraldo Soto, Lukas Gebhard; Lucia Licciardello
- Building Materials
- Robert Flatt (PCBM), Timothy Wrangler, Lex Reiter
- Geodesy
- Andreas Wieser (CSEG)
- Robotic Fabrication Laboratory
- Mike Lyrenmann, Philippe Fleischmann, Tobias Hartman,
- Lucas Petrus, Jonathan Leu
- Client
- Nova Fundaziun Origen, Giovanni Netzer
- Team Nova Fundaziun Origen
- Torry Trautmann, Rebecca Süderhauf,
- Phillip Bühler, Sandro Provino
- Site Management
- Invias AG, Diego Casparin
- Nova Fundaziun Origen: Anja Diener
- Master Builder
- Zindel+Co. AG (Zindel United), Nico Russi
- Battaglia Bau AG (Uffer Gruppe), Sascha Pittet
- Structural Engineer
- Conzett Bronzini Partner AG, Jürg Conzett
- Building Physics
- mk bauphysik, Martin Kant
- Companies Involved
- Industrial Robots: ABB
- Construction Chemistry: Sika
- Material 3D Print: BASF, Knauf
- Robotic Reinforcement: Mesh
- Printed Formwork: Saeki
- Precast Concrete Parts: Creabeton AG
- Cement 3D Printing: Aalborg
- Accelerated 3D Printing: Alamatis
- Concrete Monitoring: Duramon
- Electrical System: TGA Solutions GmbH, Markus Furer
- Electrical Installation: Elektro Savoldelli, Claudio Savoldelli
- Lighting Planning / Design: Tokyoblue GmbH, Serge Schmuki
- Lightning Protection Systems: Cavegn AG, Renzo Cavegn
- Waterproofing Work / Special Floor Covering: Bautas AG, Claudio Farrer
- Facade Construction, Membrane: Bieri Tenta AG, Richnerstutz
- Carpentry Work: Poltera Holzbau AG, Meinrad Poltera
- Restoration Work Wood & Stone: Aaron und Sabine Bellini, Rizzi Malerei GmbH
- Concrete Cosmetics: Bürgin Creations, Theo Bürgin
- Locking Systems: Weber Prevost, Andrin Riedi
- Scaffolding: Luzi Gerüste, Yannick Landolt
- Global Partners
- ETH-Foundation
- ETH Zurich
- Uffer Gruppe
- Zindel United
- Main Partners
- Municipality Surses
- Sika
- Partners
- BASF
- Knauf
- Conzett Bronzini Partner AG
- Patrons
- Renate Sick Glaser
- Spyros N. Niarchos
- Padrins von Mulegns
- N.N.
The Tor Alva / White Tower project was launched by Fundaziun Origen on June 22nd, 2021 in Mulegns, Switzerland. The launch ceremony was attended by Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Graubünden Canton President Mario Cavigelli, and Surses Municipality President Leo Thomann.
The completed White Tower was officially unveiled at a ceremony on May 20th 2025, when a helicopter dramatically lifted the protective membrane before 300 guests, revealing the 3D-printed concrete structure and opening it to the public.
| 2021 | Planning and approval of the tower | |
| 2022 | Construction of a full-scale demonstration floor | |
| 2023 | Structural tests of reinforced columns | |
| Studies of ornamental systems | ||
| 2024 | January: Start of 3D column fabrication | |
| June: Tower assembly begins | ||
| 2025 | May: Unveiling of the tower | |
| June: First performances in the theater | ||
| 2030 | Planned disassembly of the tower |
CheWei Lin
CheWei Lin
- Baublatt - Weisser Turm in Mulegns: Schauspielturm im Werden [DE]
- Blick - Ein Weisser Turm für Mulegns [DE]
- Corriere Della Sera - Costruito? No, questo palazzo è stampato [IT]
- Daily Mail - World's tallest 3D-printed Building is Unveiled in Switzerland [EN]
- Detail - Ein kleines Dorf will hoch hinaus [DE]
- Detail - White Tower at the Julier Pass [EN]
- Engadiner Post - Origens neuster Streich in Mulegns [DE]
- Espazium - Tra fabbricazione digitale e memoria storica [IT][EN]
- ETH News - Cultural site and pioneering construction from a 3D printer [EN][DE]
- EuroNews - Dying Swiss village set for revival as home to the world’s tallest 3D-printed tower [EN]
- Forbes - In a Tiny Swiss Town, a Giant 3D-Printed Tower Rises [EN]
- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Dieser Turm kommt aus dem 3D-Drucker [DE]
- Hochparterre - Druckbeginn für den Weissen Turm [DE]
- Hors Site - 29 mètres jusqu'au ciel [FR]
- Le Temps - Une tour de béton de 23 mètres [FR]
- Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Die ETH Zürich fabriziert das höchste gänzlich digital gedruckte Bauwerk der Welt... [DE]
- Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Zu viel Spektakel für das unspektuläre Dorf [DE]
- New Scientist - World's Tallest 3D-printed Tower [EN]
- New York Post - World’s Tallest 3D-printed Tower has been Unveiled [EN]
- SRF - Ein Hochhaus aus dem 3D Drucker [DE]
- SwissBau - Ein 30 Meter-Betonturm aus dem Drucker [DE]
- SwissInfo - Projet de tour de 23m... [FR][IT]
- Zeit - Dieser Turm stammt aus einem 3D-Drucker [DE]
Qiming Sun
The White Tower's theater from above
Qiming Sun