Tor Alva – The World’s Tallest 3D-Printed Building

On May 30th, 2025, an article in the Architecture category reported the unveiling of the world’s tallest 3D-printed building, named Tor Alva (White Tower), in the Swiss Alps village of Mulegns. Despite its small population of only 12 permanent residents, the village was chosen as the site for this innovative structure to help rejuvenate the community. Standing at 30 meters tall, Tor Alva features a modular design with 32 individually printed columns connected by screws and steel cables, instead of cement. The tower’s creators boast of its safety and ease of disassembly and relocation, thanks to the advanced technology used in its construction.

Tor Alva’s official page highlights the technological advancements incorporated into its design, such as the use of 3D-printed concrete for material-efficient components and a modular construction approach for future reuse. The tower also introduces new structural solutions to strengthen the 3D-printed concrete, addressing a key challenge in the construction industry. The unveiling ceremony on May 20, 2025, attracted around 300 spectators who had the opportunity to ascend the 3D-printed stairs to the top floor, which doubles as a theater for artistic performances and a platform offering stunning views of the alpine landscape.

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, along with architects and a research team, collaborated on the construction of Tor Alva to showcase advancements in computational design, digital fabrication, structural engineering, and material science. The team believes that these innovations will set new standards for 3D printing in the construction sector.