Visit Arcosanti; Progressive City In Arizona Desert

Ranked #6,333 in Travel & Places, #175,688 overall

A City Out Of The Future...

... or maybe, the future coming back to invite us forward.

When I first discovered Arcosanti, I absolutely felt like I had found a city out of the Star Trek universe. That's exactly how it looks, all alien like or from some other kind of civilization.

Walking the streets of Arcosanti is an experience in itself. I went for a overnight visit during the summer of 2000 (I think it was) and plan on going back to see what's new.

This is the design of Paolo Soleri, Italian architect and visionary.

Construction started in the 1970's and is an on-going project that will take many more years still to complete.


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Experimental Town In High Desert Of Arizona

Construction began in 1970 in the high desert of Arizona, 70 miles north of Pheonix.

It is an experiment like no other and could revolutionize the way we think of cities.

Arcosanti is, and will be, once complete, a demonstration of a compact urban living without sacrificing comfort and well being.
  • When complete, Arcosanti will house 5000 people. It is meant to demonstrate how to lesson our impact on the Earth and environment all the while improving urban conditions.
  • It's large scale solar green houses will occupy only 25 acres of the 4060 acre land preserve. The natural surroundings are maintained and preserved for all people and animal life.
  • Arcosanti systems are designed for efficient circulation of people and resources, multi-use buildings, and solar orientation for lighting, heating and cooling.
  • Apartments, businesses, production, technology, open space, studios, and educational and cultural events are all accessible. Greenhouses provide gardening space for public and private use, and act as solar collectors for winter heat.

Bring The City To Your Living Room

A few titles to get you started

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Arcosanti is:

arcology = architecture + ecology

- a concept developed by Paolo Soleri.

Igo GREEN Tip of the Day

one step at a time, we can all get there

As we all know, doing our part to help the Earth and our own health starts at home, with small everyday actions we can easily implement.

Short Documentary

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Google Map

Visiting Arcosanti

There are meny way and reasons to visit Arcosanti.
You can take a daily tour, stay overnight, sign up for one of their multiple workshops and/or internship, or simply attend an art event.

Group tours for 10 or more can be arranged ahead of time by contacting the Guest Service at (928)623.6222 or guests@arcosanti.org

Accomodations are limited and guests are encourage to make reservations. Overnight visitors must check in before 5pm at the Gallery or make prior arrangements.

Pick A Tour

or arrange a specific one for your group

Arcosanti provides a variety of tours to cater to your interests. All pre-arranged tours are dependent on the availability of the staff off course, so it is best to call ahead and find out what is offered during your visit.
  • General Tours:
    - 7 days a week, from 10am-4pm, 1hr, $8
    - Quick, comprehensive introduction to the history and design philosophy of Arcosanti, and walking tour through most of the site.
  • Pre-Arranged Specialty Tours:
    - Foreign Language tours; depending on availability of guides. 1 hr.
    - Architecture & Planning; Conducted by member of Planning Department; consists of general tour, tour of planning office, current construction, and special session on design development with models and drawings. 2hrs.
  • Agricultural Tours:
    - explores sustainable agricultural program, 15 acres of fields and gardents: peach orchad, vegetable gardens, prototype greenhouses, large field, and most successful Paulownia tree stand in Western U.S. Includes successful organic food production, composting, permaculture, desert gardening, greenhouse growing, and overview of local wildlife and ecosystems. 1.5hrs.
  • Bird Watching Tours:
    - 2 mile hike through Agua Fria Riparian area. 2.5hrs.
  • Specialty Tours:
    - for groups of 10 or more.

Staying Overnight

to get a better feel of the place.

Guest Rooms face the Agua FriaRiver Canyon and are accessible by an inclining footpath and then steps, or by vehicle along a rough road and then steps.
These include a continental breakfast, with coupon given at check in.

The Sky Suite is an apartment pearched near the top of the site, giving unparalleled views of the sunrise, sunset and the magnificent night sky.
  • Single Occupancy:
    - small room, shared bath, $30
    - regular room, shared bath, $35
    - regular room, private bath, $40
  • Double Occupancy:
    - small room, shared bath, $40
    - regular room, shared bath, $45
    - regualr room, private bath, $50
  • Room with kitchen:
    - Room A/B (twin beds, private bath, kitchen), single or double, $65
  • One and Two Week stay:
    - Room A/B, subject to availability.
    - Does not include breakfast coupon.
    - Includes room with twin beds, priavte bath and kitchen, extended personal tour of Arcosanti, home hospitality (visit Arcosanti residents in their homes)
    - 7 days, $390
    - 14 days, $700
  • Sky Suite Apartment:
    - 2 bedrooms (one double bed, one single bed), bathroom, kitchenette, living room, patio area with view of 4,000 acres of natural preserve surrounding Arcosanti.
    - sleeping mats can accomodate additional people.
    - includes continental breakfast for 2.
    - additional breakfast coupon available for $4.
    - $100 a night

Arcosanti Panorama 

Articles

Every once in a while, I'll add to this list from the google/blog article links that appear randomly further below regarding Arcosanti an/or its visionary Paolo Soleri.

NY Times - Feb. 2012 - Well written article about the passing of the torch for the city.
An Early Eco City Faces The Future

Shoreline-LakeForestPark - Feb. 2012 - Light musing on density with references to Paolo Soleri and Arcosanti. Where We Live: Real Density

"My solution is urban implosion rather than explosion."
- Paolo Soleri

Web Info

A few links to get you started on your Arcosanti education.
Arcosanti main site
Main site with images, theory, construction image log so you can see the city evolve, workshop info, visiting info, etc.
Must visit whether you plan on physically going or not.
From the New York Times
Great article published in the New York Times in Sept. 2007 about a visit to the city.
What wikipedia has to say
Wikipedia resources.

Out Of This World Designs

These bells have a very particular design style associated specifically with Arcosanti. There are well known and are a major fundraiser for continuing construction of the city.
I have one on my porch and can tell you they have a beautiful sound.
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Amazon Recommendations

Soleri: Architecture as Human Ecology by Antonietta Iolanda Lima

Soleri: Architecture as Human Ecology by Antonietta Iolanda Lima

As much visionary as architect, Paolo Soleri, born more...0 points

What If? Collected Writings, 1986-2000 by Paolo Soleri

What If? Collected Writings, 1986-2000 by Paolo Soleri

Including 35 previously unpublished essays, What I more...0 points

Arizona in Cafe Press

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Blog Entries

Tags: Arcosanti, Paolo Soleri

Faltering futuristic city hanging on
Above all, they were able to join an ongoing colloquy with the city's visionary designer, Paolo Soleri, who proselytized for a carless society in harmony with the natural world. In the 40 years since, some 7000 people have come and gone from Arcosanti.
Pretty Little Pictures
Its biomorphic form reminded me of Arcosanti, the Paolo Soleri ?city? that has been rising in the desert north of Phoenix for decades, and its concept evoked the long-postponed eco-city of Dongtan, China, near Shanghai. Then I shrugged and walked away.

In The News

Faltering futuristic city hanging on
Above all, they were able to join an ongoing colloquy with the city's visionary designer, Paolo Soleri, who proselytized for a carless society in harmony with the natural world. In the 40 years since, some 7000 people have come and gone from Arcosanti.
Pretty Little Pictures
Its biomorphic form reminded me of Arcosanti, the Paolo Soleri ?city? that has been rising in the desert north of Phoenix for decades, and its concept evoked the long-postponed eco-city of Dongtan, China, near Shanghai. Then I shrugged and walked away.

View from sky suite 

Keep On Traveling

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Flickr Images

Tag: Arcosanti

Warning: these images will greatly increase your desire to visit Arcosanti in person. This place is truly unique and can only be fully experienced through a complete physical presence.
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My Travel Blog

Boots On Dirt Roads

I take tons of pictures while traveling, to be sorted out later after getting home. A selection of the best (or funny shots) will make their way onto this blog. Enjoy. :)

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Share your thoughts

What do you think about city of the future? Tell us your impressions here.

Also, please kindly remember to rate this lens if you feel so inclined and come see what else I'm up to through my lensography: SunfishOgraphy

  • SquidooPower Dec 17, 2011 @ 12:30 am | delete
    I live in Arizona, so guna visit this place.
  • Don_McCyclist Feb 1, 2011 @ 9:41 pm | delete
    Enjoyed a stop and tour of Arcosanti on a 1997 bicycle tour. Wish more people knew about it, so thanks for squidding it!
  • BFuniv.com Feb 2, 2010 @ 7:32 pm | delete
    Fascinating.

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