Today we took a short trip down I-17 to “Arcosanti“, started in 1970 by architect Paolo Soleri, Arcosanti is an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community, and environmental accountability. The goal is to actively pursue lean alternatives to urban sprawl based on Paolo Soleri’s theory of compact city design, Arcology (architecture + ecology).
It’s a fascinating look into the world of the future where there are no automobiles, and everything that any of it’s residents would need are provided within the community, (residences, health care, farms/food, etc.)
(From Wikipedia) “Arcosanti is a projected experimental town with a molten bronze bell casting business in Yavapai County, central Arizona, 70 mi north of Phoenix, at an elevation of 3,732 feet. Its arcology concept was posited by the Italian-American architect, Paolo Soleri (1919–2013). He began construction in 1970, to demonstrate how urban conditions could be improved while minimizing the destructive impact on the earth. He taught and influenced generations of architects and urban designers who studied and worked with him there to build the proposed ‘town.'”
Although Soleri died in 2013, the work toward completion continues by volunteers that pay to have the opportunity to work on site and contribute to the dream toward Arcology (architecture meets ecology).
Here’s some pictures that we want to share with you in the slide show below. Enjoy!
Now, as in all good road trips, we had to stop for lunch after the trip to Arcosanti. We went a little further on down the road to ROCK SPRINGS CAFE, known for it’s good food and especially it’s GREAT PIES!
After lunch we headed toward home and pulled off the highway to a little place that Barbara remembered that used to sell wine and chocolate. As you can see by the pictures, the place didn’t appear to be in business any longer. We looked around the property a bit and then hit the road again.
Steve noted that just up the road a little further was the Agua Fria National Monument It’s a good thing that Steve and Cindy have a 4-wheel drive truck to climb the rocky trail, although Cindy was not real hip on doing the off-road exploring. It was fun and we got some great picutures although it was overcast and VERY windy!
We’ll be heading out of here mid-March, so more to come as we travel eastward. Stay tuned.
Sounds like a cool place to visit. Can people rv there?
Unfortunately no, it is not for camping but you can visit for free
Cathy, as you probably already know, there is plenty of BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) in AZ. You can follow this link to find out more about BLM land, what types, and where it / they are located.