ETH Zurich 3D prints colorful decor for Gelateria
The pop-up is located next to Tor Alva, a 30-meter-tall 3D printed tower
This spring—after years in the making—ETH Zurich and its partner Nova Fundaziun Origen officially unveiled Tor Alva (aka White Tower), a 30-meter-tall 3D printed tower in Mulegns, Switzerland. The structure, the world’s tallest 3D printed building, is an immersive performance space as well as a symbol of revitalization in the Alpine town. Now, thanks to another collaborative effort by the partners behind Tor Alva, visitors to Mulegns will get to indulge in a sweet treat in a stunning new gelateria with a 3D printed decor.
The ice cream shop, aptly called Gelateria, is located right next to Tor Alva and was designed by a team of students in ETH Zurich’s Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication (DFAB). The external structure of the compact building is made from reclaimed timber and a semi-transparent material that entices those walking by with a glimpse at the colorful world inside.
The interior of the Gelateria is characterized by a fairly minimalist floor plan, which is mirrored above with a cascading installation of multi-color 3D printed waves. This impressive structure was 3D printed at ETH Zurich’s Robotic Fabrication Lab using the institution’s very own Hollow-Core printing technology, a unique extrusion process that prints large-scale hollow tubular beads. This unique approach has enabled the production of a structure that spans over 250 square meters and weighs less an a metric ton.
The ETH Zurich DFAB team was also interested in keeping the project as sustainable as possible (thus the use of reclaimed timber for the Gelateria’s frame) and opted to use recycled PETG in the production of the ceiling installation. Also in line with its sustainable/circularity-focused ethos is the fact that the entire ice cream shop is designed to be disassembled and reassembled, while the PETG 3D printed decor can ultimately be shredded and reprocessed into new 3D printing material.
It’s not yet clear just how ephemeral the Gelateria is, but those flocking to Mulegns to see the amazing Tor Alva this summer will not be disappointed to tick off another 3D printed architectural marvel—all while enjoying a treat. Overall, the new structure is part of Nova Fundaziun Origen’s mission to culturally and economically revitalize the Alpine town by using architectural innovation.
