ETH sets new standards in digital architecture
An architectural and technological masterpiece is being built in remote Mulegns on the Julier Pass. The world's tallest 3D-printed tower. Developed by ETH Zurich, the project combines high-tech with culture and gives an almost extinct village new perspectives.
The Tor Alva tower, designed by the ETH team led by Benjamin Dillenburger and architect Michael Hansmeyer, is not only a technological milestone, but also a design milestone. The sculptural concrete columns branch out over four storeys to form a futuristic dome. Printing is carried out using a robot-assisted system that creates unique architecture layer by layer from fine-grain concrete – precise, efficient and ground-breaking in terms of design.
Research meets reality
What begins in the research hall with yellow waistcoats and control units is set to prove market maturity in Mulegns. The first regular day of production marks the transition from theory to practice. The ETH team, supported by civil engineers and robotics specialists, is not only testing new materials and construction processes here, it is also setting standards for the construction world of tomorrow.
A village as a laboratory for the future
Mulegns, once a centre of craftsmanship and now barely inhabited, is becoming a symbol of change. The Nova Fundaziun Origen foundation and ETH Zurich are creating more than just a building here. They are combining digital architecture with cultural revitalisation. In future, the tower dome will host events that will attract visitors from all over the world. The tower will become a beacon for regions struggling with emigration, a visionary model for sustainable location development.
Further information on Tor Alva: www.tor-alva.ch