Architecture, Art, and Culture
Tor Alva’s striking design harnesses computational design and 3D-printed concrete to create an novel architectural language. The use of 3D-printing enables a bold, non-standard approach to architecture with an extraordinary range of shapes and forms. The White Tower embraces the unique qualities of 3D-printed concrete, forming an organic, multi-scale structure—from its organic overall form to its intricate, branching columns.
At dusk, the tower’s distinctive openings glow like a lantern, serving as a beacon along the historic Julier Pass. In winter, a transparent, removable membrane shields the structure from wind and snow.
A Structure of 32 Distinct Columns
The tower’s five floors form a vertical enfilade, guiding visitors on a choreographed ascent from shadowy, introspective chambers at the base to the light-filled cupola theater atop. Here, 36 seats encircle a central stage beneath a filigree dome supported by eight branching columns—an intimate space for performances framed by Alpine panoramas.
The tower’s 32 unique 3D-printed columns define its structure and façade. On lower floors, robust columns (3.4 meters tall) provide stability, while slender, intertwined columns (up to 6 meters) grace the upper levels. Though each column takes a distinct form and ornament, their shared material weaves a cohesive visual and conceptual thread through the tower. Their flowing forms and undulating contours amplify the interplay of light and shadow.
Multiple Scales of Ornament
Each column features three scales of geometric design, enabled by computational algorithms and 3D-printing. At the macro scale, organic, bone-like forms absorb lateral forces, eliminating the need for additional bracing. At an intermediate meso scale, spiral waves reinforces the columns’ thin shells, optimizing material use while accentuating height. At the finest micro scale, intricate ornamentation—created by varying the concrete extrusion path—adds visual complexity, reflecting the printing process itself. This digital craftsmanship echoes the ornate artistry of Grisons’ Baroque builders, blending historical inspiration with cutting-edge innovation.
The 3D-printed extruded concrete of the White Tower enables a distinctive "material-driven" ornamentation that emerges from the inherent properties of the concrete and the robotic deposition process. By introducing subtle variations in printing such as adjusting the speed and angle of the extrusion, the robot seamlessly creates organic, irregular forms on the columns.
Alchemical Approach
The exact nature of the ornament is difficult to predict through digital modeling alone—its final form arises from an interplay of material behavior, robotic motion, and environmental factors. To navigate this uncertainty, designers create a "cookbook" of ornament recipes, mapping parameter combinations to specific textures and patterns. Each set of inputs yields a distinct aesthetic effect, requiring an iterative, almost alchemical approach to achieve the desired outcome.
New Digital Craftsmanship
The cookbook’s recipes enable mass customization, crafting unique column designs as effortlessly as standard forms. The concrete’s tactile surfaces invite visitors to touch and explore its dynamic form. This fusion of algorithmic precision and material responsiveness invites new possibilities for architectural expression, setting the stage for a new architectural artistry.
Setting: The Village of Mulegns
Nestled in the Swiss Alps along the Julier Pass, the village of Mulegns has long held historical significance. Once a stagecoach stop on the route connecting central Switzerland with the Engadine region, it linked Zurich to St. Moritz. Initially a modest village, many of Mulegns' inhabitants emigrated to larger cities, working as stuccateurs (plaster craftsmen) and confectioners. Successful returnees built grand villas, and as tourism began to thrive, the village enjoyed a period of prosperity.
Today, Mulegns faces significant structural challenges. Many buildings stand abandoned, and the population has dwindled to 12 residents. The Origen Foundation strives to preserve its cultural heritage and revitalize the village. The White Villa, now federally protected, was recently relocated, and the historic Post Hotel Löwe has been restored, welcoming guests again.
The White Tower marks a new chapter in the village’s renaissance. It is built directly on top of the historic carriage depot, reactivating this formerly abandoned building, which now functions as the tower’s entrance. The foundations of the tower integrate the existing historic vaulted slab construction. The transition between old and new is articulated by a sculptural base fabricated onsite in concrete. The White Tower, standing as a beacon on the old pass road, will continue to write and reinterpret the village's history, creating a new chapter in its storied past.