The White Tower (“Weisser Turm”) is a 29-meter tall, entirely 3D printed building situated along the Julier mountain pass in the remote village of Mulegns, Switzerland. Designed for Fundaziun Origen, the tower offers space for art installations and for music and theater performances.
Visitors ascend a spiral staircase through a series of colonnades to reach the floating stage of the large hall on the top floor. The tower’s bold wealth of shapes is reminiscent of the great craftsmanship of the Graubünden master builders of the Baroque era who had a decisive influence on the regions’ architecture.
The White Tower aims to bring new life to a village in decline. It tells of the rich cultural history of Mulegns and its surroundings. As a cultural destination, it promotes a gentle yet substantial tourism.
The White Tower demonstrates the ground-breaking possibilities of computational design and digital fabrication, which will fundamentally change conventional building in the years to come. Using robotic concrete extrusion process, the concrete can be applied very specifically only where needed, thereby reducing consumption by a half.
The process no longer requires any formwork. These technologies enable modular structures that allow for an on-site production, thereby reducing transport. The White Tower will be constructed with disassembly in mind so that it can be rebuilt at another location.
With its spectacular architecture and ground-breaking technology, the White Tower acts as a beacon and haven for travellers on the Julier Pass.
Architects: Benjamin Dillenburger, Michael Hansmeyer
The White Tower (“Weisser Turm”) is a project for the Fundaziun Origen, Riom, Switzerland
All images © Michael Hansmeyer, shared with permission
