In the picturesque Swiss village of Mulens, the construction of the Tor Alva Tower has been completed, making it the tallest structure in the world created through 3D printing technology.
As reported by Dezeen, the White Tower was built on the site of a former blacksmith shop. Its design resembles a multi-layered cake, referencing the region's confectionery history. The tower stands at 30 meters tall, supported by 32 twisted hollow columns printed with a 3D printer. The construction took 5 months, with the printing process of individual components lasting 900 hours.
The tower features a modular design that allows for disassembly and relocation. It consists of 4 levels, with the top level intended to serve as an observation platform and performance stage.
The project was brought to life by the Origen Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH). According to NZZ, the construction cost of the tower was 4.5 million francs, more than double the initial budget.
Tor Alva will be open to tourists, and the tour will cost 100 francs, including travel and dessert tasting. However, the structure will remain in Mulens for only five years to draw attention to this dwindling village, established in the 19th century, where only 12 people currently reside. After that, it is planned to be dismantled and relocated elsewhere.
