In Mulegns, Switzerland, a new ice cream shop is blending alpine tradition with cutting-edge technology. Gelateria Mulegns, developed by Nova Fundaziun Origen, features a rustic exterior built from reclaimed local timber and a striking interior made entirely from 3D-printed recycled plastic.

The futuristic dome-shaped interior spans over 250 square meters yet weighs under one ton, thanks to Hollow-Core 3D Printing (HC3DP) which is an innovative, material-efficient technique developed by ETH Zurich’s Robotic Fabrication Lab. The curving structure was designed and printed by students from ETH’s Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture and Digital Fabrication.

The project serves as part of a broader initiative to bring cultural and architectural innovation to remote Alpine communities, turning a simple gelateria into a symbol of sustainable design and creative regeneration.

Image Credit: Nova Fundaziun Origen