The White Tower and Centre for digital construction technologies
21 March 2025
After years of faithful service and fantastic artistic performances, the Julierturm (Julier Tower) was demolished two years ago. However, a new tower, the Weisse Turm (White Tower), by Nova Fundaziun Origen from Riom (Canton of Graubünden), has already been built.
Riom
While the Julierturm was the highest theatre and concert hall in Europe, the White Tower is the world’s highest, boldest, first and most original digital tower! It stands in the village of the Weisse Villa (White Villa) and the Posthotel Löwe in Mulegns.
The White Tower consists of thirty-two digitally printed columns, eight per floor. Each column is unique, with different textures, heights, and virtuoso patterns. The columns were designed, tested, and printed at the ETH in Zurich.
In nearby Savognin, craftsmen assembled the individual column sections. In Mulegns, the organic columns were stacked on top of each other using a giant crane. The tower is designed to be modular and can be dismantled entirely again.
The Weisse Turm rises between the roofs of Mulegns. It is thirty metres high and stands on the walls of the old smithy. Thirty-two pillars support a filigree dome that crowns the building. In summer, the wind blows through the twisted columns. The tower wraps itself in a festive dress in winter and hosts concerts. The White Tower will be inaugurated on 20 May 2025.
Another project is being developed in the mountain village of Mulegns: Das Zentrum für digitale Bautechnologien (ZDBT), the Centre for Digital Building Technologies. Origen is building a competence centre for digital building technologies in the historic coach house in collaboration with the Digital Building Technologies research group at ETH Zurich and partners from industry and commerce.
The centre provides specialists with in-depth knowledge of digital construction processes. Digital technologies, robotic production methods, manual processes, and material technology requirements are explained in relation to specific projects. The ZDBT is scheduled to open on 23 May 2025.
(Source and further information: Nova Fundaziun Origen)