The next stage of the "Tor Alva" project begins
The printing of the White Tower, or "Tor Alva" starts at the Robotic Fabrication Laboratory (RFL) here at the Institute of Technology in Architecture.
At the height of 30 meters, the White Tower («Tor Alva») will be the tallest 3D-printed structure in the world. The White Tower is being built closely with the cultural foundation Nova Fundaziun Origen, the ETH Zurich, and local, national, and international partners. The White Tower will be constructed along the Julier route in the village of Mulegns, revitalizing an entire region as a building for cultural performances. The prefabrication of the tower just started.
"Like a confectioner piping icing from a piping bag onto a cake, the robot arm uses a nozzle to apply soft concrete. Layer by layer, in thin, even strips. Every two minutes a rattle sounds and a device mixes the ingredients for the concrete. There are three finished white columns all around." writes Stephanie Caminada, in the NZZ article, published 26 January 2024.
Those stationed here at our institute have the priviledge of seeing the tower being printed everyday, and share the excitement of the Digital Building Technologies group, whose project it is, in seeing this significant building take shape.
Read the full NZZ article external pagehere.