In the Swiss mountain village of Mulegns, which has just twelve inhabitants, a structure is currently being built that marks the interface between digital manufacturing, architecture and cultural memory. The “White Tower of Mulegns” is being built in collaboration between the Origen Cultural Foundation and ETH Zurich and is currently the tallest digitally manufactured building in the world. The tower is to be officially inaugurated on May 20, 2025 and will serve as an event venue with an interior domed hall that will be used for cultural performances in the future.
The building is being constructed using 3D printing technologies based on parametrically generated geometries. A robot-assisted concrete printing process is used, which makes it possible to create complex shapes without traditional formwork. According to ETH Zurich, the architectural focus is on a filigree, ornamented outer skin that has been optimized for minimal use of materials despite its height. The scientific management lies with the Chair of Digital Fabrication under the direction of Benjamin Dillenburger, who emphasizes that the project is intended to demonstrate the possibilities of digital construction processes on a large scale.
The tower not only has technical significance. It is also a reminder of the historical emigration movement of the so-called Graubünden confectioners, who once traveled all over Europe from Mulegns. In this context, the building sees itself as a cultural symbol against the disappearance of Alpine villages.
For the scientific community, the project serves as proof of the scalability of digital construction processes under real conditions. At the same time, it is an example of how architectural research and regional cultural initiatives can work together productively. After the inauguration, the tower is to be permanently opened for events and thus contribute to the long-term revitalization of the site.
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