When the morning mists envelop the forests of Grisons, Tor Alva shines through them like a luminous obelisk of visionary vision. At first glance, the dreamy, white tower rises like poetry, but in reality it stands on the edge of a technological breakthrough – it is the tallest 3D-printed building in the world, at almost 30 meters high.
Alva Tor, highest 3D-printed building in the world, is designed as a thoughtful “cultural horizon” for the picturesque Swiss Alpine village of Mulegns. The project, developed in collaboration between Origen Foundation and ETH Zurich, opens a new chapter in Alpine culture and will be open for tours throughout the summer from May 20, 2025. The tower measures almost 30 m and incorporates the existing base, making it stand out even more in the Alpine setting of the Mulegns settlement.
Architectural language
The tower consists of 32 unique 3D-printed hollow concrete columns inspired by the baroque ornaments of the Graubünden region. These columns combine traditional forms with digital ornaments on multiple levels.
Technological breakthrough
The project was developed by ETH Zurich and the Origen Foundation. The soft concrete set quickly enough to support its own weight without any problems. Two robots worked in coordination during the construction: the first applied the concrete layer by layer, while the second inserted the five-axis reinforcement and reinforcement channels, ensuring the structure's full load-bearing capacity.
Spatial experience
Tor Alva has five floors, designed in a spiral. From the more tightly-formed columns on the lower floors, the structure gradually branches out into a light dome at the top. The dome offers views of the Julier Valley and seats 32 visitors, who can enjoy an intimate theater experience.
Construction and modularity
The columns were printed in separate parts in the ETH Zurich laboratory from February to June 2024, then transported to Savognin and assembled on site. Each floor was assembled in one day. The screw joints used without glue allow for easy disassembly, making the relocation of the building after five years easy and sustainable.
Cultural influence and sustainability
The project aims to culturally revitalize the village of Mulegns, which today has twenty times fewer inhabitants than in the 19th century. The tower, located along the old Julier trade route, brings life back to the village and successfully connects the past, the future and sustainable development.
Conclusion
Tor Alva sets a new standard for sustainable construction. It is an aesthetically bold, technologically pioneering and culturally thoughtful architecture that invites us to recognize the intertwining of tradition and innovation in the heart of the Alps and, together, realize a vision of a sustainable future.
