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cali

(114,904 posts)
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 06:44 AM Apr 2013

Paolo Soleri dies at 93; architect of innovative city Arcosanti

Paolo Soleri, a former apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, brought his vision of ecologically sensitive urban living to the Arizona desert four decades ago. Arcosanti never exactly flourished, but Soleri's emphasis on denser, vertical settlements is echoed in today's green architecture.

Paolo Soleri, an Italian-born architect who created a visionary prototype for a new kind of ecologically sensitive city in the remote Arizona desert four decades ago, only to watch the suburban sprawl he detested begin to creep near it in recent years, has died. He was 93.

Soleri died of natural causes Tuesday at his home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., according to an official with the architect's foundation.

<snip>

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/10/local/la-me-paolo-soleri-20130411

Images:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1235&bih=553&q=arcosanti&oq=Arcos&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.3841.4760.0.7420.5.5.0.0.0.0.299.721.2j1j2.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.9.img.FzxJrLlDYX0#imgrc=_

<snip>

Arcosanti is an experimental town that began construction in 1970 in central Arizona, 70 mi (110 km) north of Phoenix, at an elevation of 3,732 feet (1,130 meters). Architect Paolo Soleri, using a concept he calls arcology, started the town to demonstrate how urban conditions could be improved while minimizing the destructive impact on the earth.

Arcosanti is an experimental town that began construction in 1970 in central Arizona, 70 mi (110 km) north of Phoenix, at an elevation of 3,732 feet (1,130 meters). Architect Paolo Soleri, using a concept he calls arcology, started the town to demonstrate how urban conditions could be improved while minimizing the destructive impact on the earth.

Construction broke ground at the site in 1970, and continues at a varying pace through the present. The most recently completed building was finished in 1989.[2] The population varies between 50 and 150 people, based on the number of students and volunteers on the site. Ultimately the town is intended to hold 5,000 people.[3] Currently there are 13 major structures on the site, of at most several stories in height. The latest master plan, designed in 2001, envisions a massive complex, called Arcosanti 5000, that would dwarf the current buildings.

Many features are particular to the design and construction of Arcosanti, for example the use of tilt-up concrete panels that are cast in a bed of silt acquired from the surrounding area, which gives the concrete a unique texture and colour and helps it blend in with the landscape. Many of the panels were cast with embedded art. Most of the buildings are oriented toward the south to capture the sun's light and heat — with roof designs that admit the maximum amount of sun in the winter and a minimal amount during the summer. For example, the bronze-casting apse is built in the form of a quarter sphere or semi-dome. The layout of the buildings is intricate and organic, rather than a North American style city grid, with a goal of maximum accessibility to all of the elements, increased social interaction and bonds, and a sense of privacy for the residents.

Existing structures at Arcosanti have a variety of different purposes to provide for the complete needs of the community. They include a five-story visitors' centre/cafe/gift shop, a bronze-casting apse, a ceramics apse, two large barrel vaults, a ring of apartment residences and storefronts around an outdoor amphitheater, a community swimming pool, an office complex, and Soleri's suite. A two-bedroom "Sky Suite" occupies the highest point in the complex and is available for overnight guests. Most of the buildings have accessible roofs.

<snip>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcosanti

Soleri was a visionary.

There's a new film coming out this year on Arcosanti and Soleri.

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Paolo Soleri dies at 93; architect of innovative city Arcosanti (Original Post) cali Apr 2013 OP
Wow. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realize he was still alive. liberalla Apr 2013 #1
I Visited Arcosanti Back In The 70's As Well... global1 Apr 2013 #2
Through your images link I found this: snappyturtle Apr 2013 #3
I've been to Arcosanti a coupla times panader0 Apr 2013 #4
A head of his times... Javaman Apr 2013 #5

liberalla

(9,165 posts)
1. Wow. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realize he was still alive.
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 08:15 AM
Apr 2013


I went there for a day with my art class in 1971. It was very early in the beginning, but it was cool. Over the years I thought of returning for a visit but just haven't. If I remember correctly, our trip was in conjunction with "Earth Day."
(that was the year "Earth Day" started)

I still would like to return for a visit...

RIP Paolo Soleri
You sure left your mark, and we're all the better for it. Thank you.


http://www.arcosanti.org/

global1

(25,167 posts)
2. I Visited Arcosanti Back In The 70's As Well...
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 09:49 AM
Apr 2013

as I am a big Frank Lloyd Wright fan and wanted to see what one of FLW's students was up to. I was impressed and I bought a 'Soleri Bell' that was made right there on the grounds of Arcosanti. The money that was made selling these bells was used to fund the development of the community.

I completely forgot about my bell - that I hung on the front entryway of my house. I just checked and it is still hanging proudly and actually is ringing this a.m. as it is a bit windy here.

RIP Paolo!!!!!

On edit - Here is a link to the bells: http://www.cosanti.com/

Check them out - they're pretty neat.

snappyturtle

(14,656 posts)
3. Through your images link I found this:
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 10:29 AM
Apr 2013

a slideshow showing some interiors bigger and short explanations. Just gorgeous...
peaceful. Thanks for posting. Interesting fact I read at the following link...Soleri
passed away 54 years to the date of Wright's death.

http://www.architectmagazine.com/designers/paolo-soleri.aspx

panader0

(25,816 posts)
4. I've been to Arcosanti a coupla times
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 11:02 AM
Apr 2013

They had a festival every year with great music. I saw Paolo sitting there at one venue listening to a classical guitarist.
I got interested in FLW and went to Taliesin West in the Phoenix area. Soleri would get architectural students to come work at Arcosanti for free. A cool place.

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
5. A head of his times...
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 11:09 AM
Apr 2013

I remember first reading about, this as a teen, in Future Magazine back in the '70's.

I thought it neat then, and I find it neat now.

Shame it never took off.

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