The interaction mechanisms between surface structures and tunnelling-induced ground movements were investigated through centrifuge testing. Although numerous studies have considered this soil–structure interaction problem, previous experiments have neglected important building characteristics and field data inherently contain numerous uncertainties related to the soil, the structure and the tunnelling procedure. Consequently, the interpretation of results and validation of computational models can be problematic. In this study, tunnelling beneath three-dimensional printed structural models with varying building characteristics (i.e. position, length and facade openings) was simulated in a centrifuge. The experimental results demonstrate that tunnelling induces soil displacements at the surface and subsurface that are notably altered due to nearby structures. Specifically, different amounts of vertical and horizontal ground movements, soil dilation and widening of settlement troughs were observed. Building distortions and horizontal building strains were also affected by the relative position of the building to the tunnel, the building length and the area of facade openings. The experimental results provide important data for the evaluation of current design methods and verification of computational models.