Taking up residence in the remote Swiss village of Mulegns, Tor Alva evokes the Baroque master builders of old – but with one big difference: it’s constructed solely using 3D printing.

The 30-metre-high ‘white tower’ is designed by architects Benjamin Dillenburger and Michael Hansmeyer (who, back in 2013, completed the first 3D printed room) and is being built at ETH Zurich using a robotic concrete extrusion process. According to the university, this reduces materials use by half.

Printing robots are handling its construction, using nozzles to layer extremely thin layers of concrete on top of one another. When completed, Tor Alva will be one of the world’s tallest 3D-printed structures.

The tower is set to be transported to Mulegns in modular pieces. Once assembled, it will offer space for public music and theatre performances in the Julier mountain pass. Visitors will ascend to the vaulted top of the tower via a spiral staircase.

Tor Alva will remain in place for five years, although its piecemeal construction means the tower can be disassembled and relocated at the end of that time.

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