Page 10 - C.A.L.L. #22 - Fall 2003
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ARCOSANTI
Arcosanti is an extremely interesting project based in the Arizona desert. We include here a brief
explanation of Arcology and correspondence between the editor of C.A.L.L. and Wes Ozier, workshop
coordinator from Arcosanti.
Since 1970 over 4500 people from diverse Although you state that Arcosanti is not an
backgrounds have participated in the Arcosanti Workshop intentional community, from what I
Program and building effort of the worlds first prototype understand, the building complex is itself
Arcology. The mix is always interesting, stimulating and a 'intentional' ie. Designed specifically to fulfill
unique educational experience. The five-week Arcosanti the needs of its occupants. Is this a
Workshop is a process of experiential learning designed reasonable assumption?
around the basis of Paolo Soleri's hypothesis called Yes of course the buildings are
"Arcology". intentional, but the community is not.
On the philosophical side, Paolo makes
In short (VERY short), an Arcology is a compact, this analogy that he is building a piano
three-dimensional city-complex surrounded by agricultural, (the structure) upon which people can play
recreational, and natural environment within a defined the music (the urban life). So there is no
ecological envelope. The Arcology would be built to a plan for the community of Arcosanti,
"human scale" allowing for pedestrian, rather than whatever happens inside the structure is
automobile traffic, to be the main mode of transportation what happens. So the Arcology theory has
throughout the urban complex, bringing all of the facilities no parallel social theory and the Cosanti
and opportunities offered by urban living together more Foundation has NO community aspirations or
plans, the Foundations sole purpose is to
efficiently. An Arcology would provide space for a lively get the structure built.
urban complex as well as land for agriculture, preservation It is a more accurate perspective to
and low impact recreation. think of Arcosanti as running more on the
university or company town than an urban
Here at Arcosanti we use Organic landscaping and civic town. Everyone who lives here works
gardening practices, meaning we use no synthetic or for the Foundation as the Foundation needs
chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers on any of our to get the structure built and the jobs
gardens. As the buildings exhibit multifunctional uses, so taken care of.
do the gardens. We try to make use of the micro There is the Community Council, which
climates created by the building structures themselves to is a five person elected body to handle
grow plants that may not normally be able to survive community related issues, conflict resolution,
here. One can always expect to learn about composting, and to just be there for community
preparing the soil, weeding and sweeping the site, members who may have issues. The Council
preparing beds for planting, planting and watering. is recognized and receives some budget
Landscaping and Organics are responsible for maintaining from the Foundation, but has little power
a 15.5 acre site. We develop our gardens using over the project, but can have a major
impact on Arcosanti from time to time.
xeriscape, permaculture and edible landscaping methods.
We also maintain two experimental greenhouses which How do occupants come to live at
serve as agricultural spaces and passive heating elements Arcosanti? Can anyone come and move in?
for living spaces. Is there a selection committee or
absorption process?
Arcosanti is a "company town" with a college
campus feeling to it. It must be stated this is not a To come live here you must first complete
commune nor an intentional community. We are an the five week workshop. If you want to
stay on you submit a Letter of Intent to
educational organization/facility dedicated to teaching by the Community Council, giving residents a
building the physical structure, which will eventually house chance to voice any objections (Which I've
a community of considerable size. Of course we are trying never seen happen in three years of being
to construct a space that encourages culture instead of here). After that you can easily stay on as
one that dissipates it. To this aim we host monthly a volunteer, meaning housing is free, or if
cultural events, not to mention the spontaneous cultural you are here long term you can try to
events by the residents. Many people choose to stay on secure a paying position but it may take
at arcosanti for periods from one month to many years to three to six months to get a full time
live, work and participate in the unique life of the place. paycheck. When you are full time paid
housing costs a total of $110.00.
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