In the Swiss village of Müllegnns, home to just 11 people, construction has been completed on what is described as the tallest tower in the world made entirely with 3D printing. The 30-metre Tor Alva was the first object of this scale and complexity to incorporate not only decorative features but also full load-bearing elements 3D-printed as part of the structure.
The project was carried out by architect Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger, a professor at ETH Zurich. A robotised system laid down a cement-based mix layer by layer, while a second mechanism added metal elements for strength. As a result, the tower received distinctive columns and a dome, produced over 900 hours of printing.
The assembled structure can be easily dismantled and transported, making it an example of next-generation mobile architecture. Tor Alva is expected to become an open space for cultural events and guided tours.
