Origen/ETH Zürich

A milestone in 3D concrete printing: The White Tower of Mulegns

Figure: BFT International

The White Tower of Mulegns is the tallest 3D-printed building in the

Figure: BFT International

Figure: Girts Apskalns

Automated integration of reinforcing bars into the 3D-printed concrete

Figure: Girts Apskalns

The printed column is being prepared for transportation

Figure: Girts Apskalns

Figure: Benjamin Hofer

On May 19, 2025, a helicopter unveiled Tor Alva in a spectacular manner

Figure: Benjamin Hofer

Figure: BFT International

Architect Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger
explains the project

Figure: BFT International

Figure: Origen

BFT editor Karla Knitter traveled to Mulegns and is currently drafting a detailed project report for the forthcoming yearbook edition. Its current edition is available at www.beton-bauteile.de

Figure: Origen

Tor Alva (“The White Tower”) is the tallest 3D-printed building in the world. This tower was designed for the Origen cultural foundation in collaboration with ETH Zurich and has recently been inaugurated in the village of Mulegns in the Swiss Alps. Our deputy editor-in-chief, Karla Knitter, attended the opening ceremony and is currently drafting a detailed project report to be published in the forthcoming edition of our „Beton Bauteile” yearbook 2026. This article provides an abstract focusing on innovative 3D printing.

Symbiosis of art and research

The symbiosis of artistic expression, digital research, and contemporary architecture has given rise to a unique building. The tower sets a new benchmark thanks to the use of material-efficient, 3D-printed reinforced concrete, which enables a unique architectural form.

Including the existing historic base, Tor Alva is 30 m high and has a diameter of 7 to 9 m. The tower features 32 custom-designed columns and consists of 2,500 printed concrete layers, each 10 mm high and 15 to 20 mm deep. The estimated printing time was 900 hours. The White Tower will be used for...