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 Last
Update: August 5
 
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Hot!
Arcosanti
Virtual Tour
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Information
Workshops
Events
Media
People
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Forums
Images
Links
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What:
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26 years ago, the Cosanti
Foundation began building Arcosanti,
an experimental city in the high desert of Arizona. When complete, Arcosanti
will house 7000 people, demonstrating ways to improve urban conditions
and lessen our destructive impact on the earth. Its compact super-structures
and large-scale solar greenhouses will occupy only 25 acres of a 4060 acre
land preserve, keeping the natural countryside in close proximity to urban
dwellers.
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Why:
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Suburban sprawl, spreading across
the landscape, causes enormous waste, frustration and long-term costs by
depleting land and resources. Dependancy on the automobile intensifies
these problems, while increasing pollution, congestion, and social isolation.
Arcosanti hopes
to address these issues by creating a three-dimensional, pedestrian-oriented
city. Because this plan curtails suburban sprawl, both the urban and natural
environments should keep their integrity and thrive.
Arcosanti
is a prototype: if successful, it will become a model for how the world
builds its cities.
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How:
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Arcosanti
is designed according to the concept of arcology
(architecture + ecology), developed by Italian architect Paolo
Soleri. In an arcology,
the built and the living interact as organs in a highly evolved being.
This means many systems work together, with efficient circulation of people
and resources, multi-use buildings, and solar orientation for lighting,
heating and cooling.
In this complex, creative environment, apartments, businesses,
production, technology, open space, studios, and educational
and cultural events
are all accessible, while privacy is paramount in the overall design. Greenhouses
provide gardening space for public and private use, and act as solar collectors
for winter heat.
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Who:
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Arcosanti
is an educational process. The five
week workshop program
teaches building techniques and arcological philosophy, while continuing
the city's construction. Volunteers and students come from around the world.
Many are design students, and some receive university
credit for the
workshop. But a design or architecture background is not necessary. People
of many varied interests and backgrounds are all contributing their valuable
time and skills to the project. Week-long silt
sculpture workshops
and Elderhostel
programs offer
other ways to be involved.
The
residents of Arcosanti
are workshop
alumni, who work on planning, construction, teaching, computer aided drafting,
maintenance, cooking, carpentry, metal work, ceramics and communications.
They produce the world-famous Soleri
Bells, as well
as hosting 50,000 tourists
each year in a Gallery,
Bakery, and Cafe
open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guided
tours introduce
visitors to the philosophy, history,
planning and ongoing construction of the site.
Concerts
and other events
in the Colly Soleri
Music Center
also allow visitors to experience Arcosanti.
Shows include dinner, and are often followed by a Pictograph 2000 light
show on the opposite mesa.
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Information
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Answers
to your most commonly asked questions, directions for getting here, and
all the basic stuff you need to know.
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Workshops
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Over
5,000 people have participated in our workshop programs throughout the
years, learning arcology theory and building the city. If you want to study
or live here, then check this out.
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Events
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Arcosanti
hosts or is involved with many unique cultural events. Get the details
here.
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Media
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Publications,
Bibliographies & Press releases.
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People
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About
70 people currently live, work and play here, while hundreds of alumni
form an extended community. Find the home pages and email addresses for
both residents and alumni here.
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Links
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Coming
soon!
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Images
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Also
coming soon!
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Forums
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Interactive
chat rooms where you can discuss the project with us and others.
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