White Tower
Mulegns, Switzerland / 2023
With dbt Digital Building Technologies
The White Tower showcases the future of architecture through computational design and robotic concrete 3D printing. Developed by the DBT group at ETH Zurich in collaboration with the Nova Fundaziun Origen, the tower employs a formwork-free extrusion process that places concrete only where structurally required, reducing material use by half. Assembled on-site, the tower is designed for disassembly and relocation, reducing waste.
Composed of 102 unique 3D-printed columns, the tower forms a vertical sequence of atmospherically rich spaces. The lower rooms feature dense, squat columns, while the upper levels become lighter and more open. Each column combines structural function with layered ornamentation—textural patterns from the printing process and spiraling motifs emphasizing verticality.
At its top, a vaulted hall seats 45 guests for performances, turning the tower into a cultural beacon. By day, its filigree white concrete structure plays with light and shadow; by night, it glows like a lantern along the Julier Pass. As one of the tallest fully 3D-printed buildings in the world, the White Tower redefines how architecture can be designed, fabricated, and experienced.
Image rights: dbt ETH Zurich
