Four Points Bulletin

Just about an hour north of Phoenix, near the turnoff for Prescott, exists an “urban laboratory”, Arcosanti. Arcosanti was dreamed up by Paolo Soleri, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s many interns. Italian-born Soleri became quite well known for making bells, and the bell production continues to this day (long after his death), at multiple facilities. We have previously visited the Phoenix location, but nothing compares to Arcosanti. The concept of Acrosanti stems from archology, a term coined by Soleri. The word is a combination of architecture and ecology, and is an idea now prevalent in science fiction novels. In short, archology is a residential area where people can live and work together without making a negative impact on the environment. According to our tour guide, Arcosanti is what inspired George Lucas’ Star Wars’ Planet, Tatooine. Currently there are between 50-60 people living in this experimental town (some who have been here for the duration of Arcosanti’s conception). Surprisingly, Arizona State University has architecture students living onsite to study. Some students were doing a rubbing of some wood stairs, for some reason. But, if you want something short-term, but longer than a tour, they are a few Arcosanti Airbnbs available (be careful though, you may be recruited…). The hour-long tour includes how the infamous Soleri bronze and ceramic bells are made, as well as some highlights of the Arcosanti facility. It was quite the experience.