In the Swiss village of Moulins, located in the Alps, the construction of a unique architectural structure has been completed - the Tor Alva tower, which has become the tallest building in the world created using 3D printing.
According to Dezeen, Tor Alva or the White Tower was built on the site of a former forge. Its design resembles a multi-layered cake, which is a reference to the history of confectioners in this region. The height of the tower reaches 30 meters, and the main structural element is 32 hollow columns twisted with screws, printed on a 3D printer. Its construction lasted 5 months, and the printing process of individual parts took 900 hours.
The tower has a modular design, allowing it to be dismantled and moved to another location. It consists of 4 floors, the last of which will serve as an observation deck and stage for performances.
The project was implemented by the Origen Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH). According to NZZ, the tower cost 4.5 million francs to build, more than double the original budget.
Tor Alva will be open to tourists, and the cost of the tour will be 100 francs, including travel and dessert. However, the structure will only stand in Moulins for five years to draw attention to this dying village, built in the 19th century and now home to 12 people. It is planned to be dismantled and installed elsewhere.