Construction of the White Tower in Mulegns: Technical challenges in completing the building project

On 30 September, the highest and most challenging storey of the White Tower is erected in Mulegns. The construction of this fourth floor is a challenge both architecturally and logistically. The filigree columns, which will support the new floor at a height of six metres, require precise planning and complex transport methods. The collaboration between ETH Zurich and regional partners emphasises the complex requirements of this project.

The columns will be manufactured in the Uffer AG workshops in Savognin and transported from there to Mulegns, some 20 kilometres away. On site, a crane will lift the column elements onto the existing base of the tower, which has currently reached a height of around 20 metres. The project team led by architect and ETH professor Benjamin Dillenburger and site manager Nico Russi will oversee the construction. Jürg Conzett, the project engineer, emphasises the importance of precision in the interaction of the construction elements, while the client Giovanni Netzer stresses the cultural and economic relevance for the region.

The White Tower of Mulegns is not only a symbol of innovative construction methods, but also of the revitalisation of the region. The construction project, which is being realised in close collaboration with Graubünden-based companies, demonstrates the possibilities of digital construction methods. The production of complex components and their precise assembly are crucial for the completion of the tower, which will be fitted with interior fittings and technology during the winter months. The opening of the tower, which will enrich the region’s culture and architecture, is planned for May 2025, weather permitting.

This project not only contributes to the cultural revitalisation of the mountain village of Mulegns, but also promotes technological development and the transfer of knowledge between regional and international players in the field of digital architecture.