3D-Printed Architecture: The White Tower Rises in the Swiss Alps

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the White Tower stands as a breathtaking example of how 3D-printed architecture is redefining what’s possible in modern design. Created by Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger, this ethereal structure was printed layer by layer from fine white concrete, forming intricate organic patterns that seem grown rather than built — significantly lowering carbon emissions.

More than a technical feat, the tower represents a poetic convergence between nature and algorithm — a meditation on symmetry, repetition, and material intelligence. As one of the most ambitious 3D-printed architecture projects to date, it pushes the boundaries of digital fabrication while connecting deeply with the timeless beauty of the alpine landscape.

The tower serves as both an architectural experiment and cultural venue, hosting art installations, concerts, and theater performances. Visitors ascend through a sequence of sculptural rooms to reach a vaulted concert hall overlooking the Julier Valley.

Planned to remain in Mulegns for five years, Tor Alva is modular and fully dismantlable, designed to be relocated and reassembled elsewhere — a fitting symbol of architecture’s evolving dialogue between technology, sustainability, and art.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a designer passionate about creating meaningful visual experiences through graphic, motion, and 3D design. Based between Berlin and Lisbon, he works across disciplines — from print and branding to digital and animation.