スイスの村に誕生した世界一高い3Dプリント建築

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

スイスのアルプス山脈に位置する小さな村に建てられた〈ホワイトタワー（White Tower）〉は、オリゲン文化財団（Origen Cultural Foundation）とチューリッヒ工科大学が協力して建設した、世界一高いデジタルファブリケーション建築物です。

既存の建造物を利用した基礎を含めると高さ30mの建築であり、別の支持構造を必要としない「完全荷重支持型の3Dプリント柱」を採用した世界初の複層建築物でもあります。

注目ポイント

• 人口12人の村の再生を目指すプロジェクト
• アート、建築、テクノロジーの融合により生み出す「デジタル建築文化の拠点」
• モジュール構造による解体・再構築が可能な設計
• 完全荷重支持型の構造を実現する、補強材を組み込んだプリント技術

（以下、オリゲン文化財団から提供されたプレスキットのテキストの抄訳）

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

Ⓒ Birdviewpicture

衰退する村を再生するタワー

スイスのアルプス山脈に位置する小さな村ムルエンスは、歴史的な峠のルート上に位置し、19世紀に観光ブームで最盛期を迎えたが、その後、村は再び静けさに包まれた。

オリゲン文化財団はチューリッヒ工科大学により建設された、世界一高いデジタルファブリケーション建築物〈ホワイトタワー〉には、村の家々の屋根の上に浮かぶ壮観なパフォーマンス空間である劇場が含まれている。

わずか12人の住民しかいない村に建てられたこのタワーは、村をデジタル建築文化の拠点へと変貌させ、研究と文化が大きな相乗効果を生み出すことを示していく。

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

Ⓒ Birdviewpicture

アートと研究の共生

芸術表現、デジタル研究、現代建築の融合は、独自のパフォーマンス空間構造を生み出した。〈ホワイトタワー〉はデジタル建築技術の可能性を探求する大胆なプロトタイプであり、未来の建設業界に大きな影響を与えるだろう。

資源の効率的な利用、シンプルな建設方法、新しいデザイン言語がプロジェクトの特徴となっている。

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

オリゲン文化財団のディレクターであるジョヴァンニ・ネッツァー（Giovanni Netzer）は次のように語る。

「〈ホワイトタワー〉の建設とデジタル建築技術センターの開設により、オリゲン文化財団とチューリッヒ工科大学は、建設業界において必要不可欠な持続可能な変革に重要な貢献をしている。同時にこのプロジェクトは、新たな視点が必要な高地渓谷の豊かな建築観光と発展を促進している。」

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

3Dプリントで構築された、ユニークな装飾を含むタワー

〈ホワイトタワー〉は、各階に8本、合計32本のユニークな3Dプリントの柱で構成されている。各柱には、大胆な形状と複雑な装飾がさまざまなスケールで表現されている。ロボティック・ファブリケーションは、素材の特性を巧みに活用し、この構造に神秘的で魅惑的な存在感を与え、斬新な触感の表面を実現している。

この新しいデジタルクラフトマンシップは、バロック建築の芸術性を彷彿とさせ、歴史的な伝統と未来のイノベーションを融合している。

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

訪問者が中央の螺旋階段を昇ると、巨大な柱に囲まれた暗い部屋が、細い柱が絡み合う日差しの差し込む開放的な空間へと導く。中央のステージを囲む32の座席を備えたドーム型のパフォーマンススペースは、村と雄大なアルプス風景の絶景を提供する。

夕暮れ時、〈ホワイトタワー〉は変貌を遂げる。特徴的な開口部がランタンのように輝き、歴史的な峠沿いの灯台のように浮かび上がる。

Ⓒ Birdviewpicture

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

各分野とのコラボレーションで実現した、解体・再構築可能な複層3Dプリント建築

〈ホワイトタワー〉は、コンピュテーショナルデザイン、デジタルファブリケーション、構造工学、材料科学における画期的な進歩を示している。これらの技術は、より持続可能な建設を目指したものである。

これらの建築における先駆的な開発は、構造工学、材料科学、ロボット工学の分野の専門家との緊密な協働と多分野連携により実現した。

この技術的革新には、薄壁で材料効率の高い3Dプリントコンクリート構造の採用や、将来の再利用を可能にするモジュール式建設が含まれている。

Ⓒ Stefan Kaiser

Ⓒ Stefan Kaiser

〈ホワイトタワー〉は、印刷プロセス中に補強材を組み込んだ、完全荷重支持型の3Dプリント柱を採用した世界初の複層建築物である。

この新規開発された3Dコンクリートプリント方法では、2台のロボットが協働する。1台は複雑な自由曲面要素にコンクリートを層ごとに押し出し、もう1台はこれらの層の間に補強材を挿入する。これにより、3Dプリント構造が完全な荷重支持性を実現している。

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

コンクリートは構造上必要な部分のみに使用されるため、この型枠不要な方法は、伝統的な鋳造技術と比べて材料消費量を大幅に削減する。

循環性を考慮して設計された〈ホワイトタワー〉は、取り外し可能な接続部を備えており、ムルエンスでの5年間の使用後、解体して新しい場所で再度組み立てることが可能となっている。

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

Ⓒ Benjamin Hofer

Ⓒ Birdviewpicture

以下、オリゲン文化財団のリリース（英文）です。

opening of the white tower

In the mountain village of Mulegns in the Swiss Alps, the Origen Cultural Foundation is constructing the world‘s tallest digitally manufactured building in collaboration with ETH Zurich. The White Tower of Mulegns includes a cupola theatre, a spectacular performative space high above the roofs of the village. The tower is a reminder of the emigration history of the confectioners who once travelled all over Europe. It transforms a dying village with just twelve inhabitants into a centre for digital building culture. And it demonstrates that research and culture are capable of great symbiosis.

Inspiration for a fading village

Mulegns lies on the historic Julier Pass route, which was travelled by merchants, muleteers and merce- naries thousands of years ago. The village experienced its greatest bloom in the emerging tourism of the 19th century. Emigrant confectioners returned to the village and built splendid villas. Hotel pioneers established a substantial tourism industry in the valley. After that, the village became quiet again. With the construction of the White Tower, Origen revitalises the village‘s rich cultural history and lays the foun- dations for a new era of prosperity.

Symbiosis of art and research

The symbiosis of artistic expression, digital research and contemporary architecture has resulted in a unique performative spatial structure. The White Tower is a bold prototype that explores the possibilities of digital building technologies and will have a significant impact on the construction industry of the future. The economical use of resources, the elementary construction method and the new design language characterise the project. The creative leeway that Origen‘s artistic productions require opens up a broad range of inspiring design possibilities for ETH Zurich.

Contribution to a comprehensive development

With the construction of the White Tower and the opening of the Centre for Digital Building Technologies, the Origen Cultural Foundation and ETH Zurich are making a substantial contribution to a sustainable and necessary transformation of the building industry. At the same time, the project is promoting a rich architectural tourism and a substantial development of a high alpine valley that needs new perspectives.
Thank you for your interest.
Giovanni Netzer Director Origen

construction of the white tower
credits

Nova Fundaziun Origen is building the White Tower in close collaboration with ETH Zurich, the construction companies Uffer Group and Zindel United and the engineering firm Conzett Bronzini Partner AG. The architects of the White Tower are Prof Dr Benjamin Dillenburger and Michael Hansmeyer from the Digital Building Technologies research group at ETH Zurich. The ETH professorships of Robert Flatt (building materials) and Walter Kaufmann (structural engineering), together with other researchers from the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication, have made significant contributions to the development. The construction of the White Tower is an architectural, engineering and financial challenge. The White Tower could only be realised thanks to the courageous commitment of generous foundations, companies and private individuals.

global partner
ETH-FOUNDATION
ETH ZÜRICH
UFFER GRUPPE
ZINDEL UNITED

main partner
MUNICIPALITY SURSES
SIKA

partner
BASF
KNAUF
CONZETT BRONZINI PARTNER AG

patron
RENATE SICK-GLASER
SPYROS S. NIARCHOS
RUTH SCHMIDHEINY
PADRINS VON MULEGNS
N.N.

nova fundaziun origen
client
Nova Fundaziun Origen, Dr. Giovanni Netzer
site management
Invias AG, Diego Casparin
Nova Fundaziun Origen, Anja Diener
master builder
Zindel + Co. AG (Zindel United), Nico Russi
Battaglia Bau AG (Uffer Gruppe), Sascha Pittet
structural engineer
Conzett Bronzini Partner AG, Jürg Conzett
building physics
mk bauphysik, Martin Kant

eth zurich
architecture
Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger, Digital Buil- ding Technologies (DBT), Michael Hansmeyer
Team: Dr. Ana Anton (Research Lead), Eleni Skevaki, Che Wei Lin, Ming-Yang Wang, Lena Kitani, Su Huang, Dr. Konrad Graser (ZHAW Institute of Construction Technology and Processes, Project Coordination)
supporting structure
Prof. Dr. Walter Kaufmann, Institute of Structu- ral Engineering (IBK)
Team: Dr. Alejandro Giraldo Soto, Dr. Lukas Gebhard, Dr. Lucia Licciardello
building materials
Prof. Dr. Robert Flatt, Institute for Building Materials
Team: Dr. Timothy Wangler, Dr. Lex Reiter
geodesy
Prof. Dr. Andreas Wieser, Geosensors and Engineering Geodesy (GSEG)
technicians / robotic fabrication laboratory
Mike Lyrenmann, Philippe Fleischmann, Tobi- as Hartmann, Luca Petrus, Jonathan Leu

companies involved
industrial robots
ABB
construction chemistry
Sika
material 3D print
BASF , Knauf
robotic reinforcement
Mesh
printed formwork
Saeki
precast concrete parts
Creabeton AG
cement 3D printing
Aalborg
accelerated 3D printing
Alamatis
concrete monitoring
Duramon
electrical system
TGA Solutions GmbH, Markus Furer
electrical installation
Elektro Savoldelli, Claudio Savoldelli
lighting planning / design
Tokyoblue GmbH, Serge Schmuki
staircase / metal construction
Tobias Lenggenhager AG, Alexander Gross,
Marcel Frei
lightning protection systems
Cavegn AG, Renzo Cavegn
waterproofing work / special floor covering
Bautas AG, Claudio Farrer
facade construction, membrane
Bieri Tenta AG, Richnerstutz
carpentry work
Poltera Holzbau AG, Meinrad Poltera
restoration work on wood and stone
Aaron und Sabine Bellini, Rizzi Malerei GmbH
concrete cosmetics
Bürgin Creations, Theo Bürgin
locking systems
Weber Prevost, Andrin Riedi
scaffolding
Luzi Gerüste, Yannick Landolt

construction of the white tower

architecture
The White Tower comprises 32 unique 3D-printed columns. Each column is articulated with a bold ar- ray of forms and intricate ornamentation across multiple scales. Robotic fabrication masterfully plays with the material’s behavior, establishing a unique ornamental language that gives the structure a mys- terious, captivating presence and reveals a novel tactile surface quality. This new digital craftsmanship recalls the artistry of Baroque builders in Grisons, bridging historical traditions with future innovations.
As visitors ascend the central spiral staircase, they encounter atmospherically dense spaces: dark chambers enclosed by massive columns lead upward to sunlit, open areas where slender, intertwined columns support a filigree dome. The vaulted performance space, with its central stage, is surrounded by 32 seats. Guests enjoy breathtaking views of the village and the majestic Alpine landscape of Val Surses. At dusk, the White Tower transforms – its striking openings glow like a lantern, making it appear as a beacon along the historic Julier Pass route.

research and innovation
The White Tower showcases groundbreaking advancements in computational design, digital fabrica- tion, structural engineering, and material science, all aimed at more sustainable construction. These pioneering developments in architecture were made possible by intense collaborative and interdiscipli- nary work with domain experts in structural engineering, materials science and robotics, who all contri- buted with innovations from their respective fields to make this project possible. Technical innovations include the structural use of 3D-printed concrete with thin-walled, material-efficient components, as well as modular construction for future reuse.
The White Tower is the world’s first multi-story building to use fully load-bearing 3D-printed columns with reinforcement integrated during the printing process. In the newly developed 3D concrete printing method, two robots collaborate: one extrudes concrete layer by layer into complex free-form elements, while the other inserts reinforcement between these layers. This makes the 3D-printed structure fully load-bearing. Since concrete is only used where structurally needed, this formwork-free method signifi- cantly reduces material consumption compared to traditional casting techniques.
Designed for circularity, the White Tower features detachable connections, allowing it to be dismantled after its five-year use in Mulegns and reassembled at a new location.
Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger (ETH Zürich, DBT), Michael Hansmeyer
Architects of the White Tower

construction of the white tower
fact sheet
structure
Four levels each consisting of 8 3D-printed columns (32 columns). Double dome consisting of eight triple columns and eight single columns (16 columns). The columns are reinforced and fully structural. 124 3D-printed elements in total.
3d print
2500 extruded concrete layers in total
10 mm layer height, 15-20 mm width
estimated printing time: 900 hours
dimensions
height: 30 m including the existing historical base
diameter: 7 – 9 m
fassade
removable lightweight membrane
cupola theatre
capacity: 32 visitors
total height: 8 m
overall project costs
CHF 4.4 Mio.

construction of the white tower
timeline

In 2018, the Office of the ETH-President organised a trip to the Nova Fundaziun Origen in Grisons. The aim of the exchange: to work together to build bridges between culture and science; between the ETH and the cultural foundation. The basis for the collaboration was laid.
In 2019, the Chair for Digital Building Technologies at ETH designed a stage set for Origen in the gardens of the Villa Carisch in Riom. The columns have been standing in the open air since then, providing important scientific findings and practical experience for the tower construction in Mulegns.
2021
jun project launch
2022
jun design adaptation
aug installation of demonstrator
2023
mar installation of membrane variants on the demonstrator may final design adaptation
2024
jan start of printing at the ETH Zurich
feb preparatory work in the historic plinth
may casting bottle neck; assembling the column elements into higher column modules (Uffer Gruppe)
jul assembly of first and second floor
aug assembly of third floor
sept assembly of fourth floor
nov/dec staircase construction and electrical installation
2025
apr assembly of dome; surrounding work may opening

portrait of the client
nova fundaziun origen

The Nova Fundaziun Origen is a cultural institution in the mountains of the canton of Grisons. Origen promotes a comprehensive theatre programme, preserves and revitalises historical monuments, invests in bold contemporary archi­ tecture, cultivates original arts and crafts and is committed to a high­quality hospitality.

milestones
Origen was founded in 2005. The theatre in Riom Castle was inaugurated in 2006. In 2015, Origen opened the Clavadeira, the winter theatre in Riom. In 2017, the red theatre tower was built on the Julier Pass. Since 2019, Origen has been committed to preserving and revitalising the historical monu- ments in Mulegns.

dimensions
Origen employs 250 people annually in 40 full-time positions. The foundation invests around 7 million a year in artistic stage work and powerful building projects. The financial resources are largely raised through donations and promote cultural creation, arts and crafts, the construction industry and tourism in the region.

foundation
The Nova Fundaziun Origen was founded by Giovanni Netzer. The foundation is responsible for all Origen projects. It builds and maintains the properties, runs the theatre and manages the restaurants. The foundation is tax-exempt and is subject to cantonal foundation supervision.

management
Giovanni Netzer is the director and founder of Origen. He grew up in Val Surses and holds a doctorate in theology, art history and theatre studies. Netzer has received numerous awards, including the Grand Culture Prize of the Canton of Grisons and the Hans Reinhart Ring, the most important theatre award in Switzerland.

impact
The foundation‘s commitment makes a significant contri- bution to revitalising dying villages, strengthening social structures and promoting a pioneering spirit. Origen‘s initiati- ves contribute to the healthy and gentle development of the Alpine region. In 2018, Origen was honoured with the Wakker Prize of the Swiss Heritage Society.

〈ホワイトタワー〉 公式サイト
https://www.tor-alva.ch/en/architecture/