Originally posted on sciy.org by Ron Anastasia on Wed 21 Jun 2006 12:00 PM PDT
As I was reading this introduction to Paolo's theory of "arcology," a
strange idea suddenly came to mind. What if the "new species" predicted
by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother appears not as an individual, but in
the form of a new kind of collective architectural entity? As Paolo so
elegantly puts it below, "In an arcology, the built and the living interact as organs would in a highly evolved being."
If so, would Auroville not take on a whole new significance? Could this
be why the Mother spent the last years of her life working so
intensively on creating the conditions for Auroville to manifest?
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In
1970, the Cosanti
Foundation began building Arcosanti, an experimental town
in the high desert of Arizona, 70 miles north of metropolitan
Phoenix. When complete, Arcosanti will house 5000 people,
demonstrating ways to improve urban conditions and lessen
our destructive impact on the earth. Its large, compact structures
and large-scale solar greenhouses will occupy only 25 acres
of a 4060 acre land preserve, keeping the natural countryside
in close proximity to urban dwellers.
Arcosanti
is designed according to the concept of arcology
(architecture + ecology), developed by Italian architect Paolo
Soleri. In an arcology, the built and the living interact
as organs would in a highly evolved being. This means many
systems work together, with efficient circulation of people
and resources, multi-use buildings, and solar orientation
for lighting, heating and cooling.
In this complex, creative environment, apartments, businesses, production, technology, open space, studios, and educational and cultural events are all accessible, while privacy is paramount in the overall design. Greenhouses provide gardening space for public and private use, and act as solar collectors for winter heat.
Arcosanti is an educational process. The five week workshop program teaches building techniques and arcological philosophy, while continuing the city's construction. Volunteers and students come from around the world. Many are design students, and some receive university credit for the workshop. But a design or architecture background is not necessary. People of many varied interests and backgrounds are all contributing their valuable time and skills to the project. Week-long silt sculpture workshops and Elderhostel programs offer other ways to be involved. At the present stage of construction, Arcosanti consists of various mixed-use buildings and public spaces constructed by 5000 past Workshop participants.
The
residents of Arcosanti are workshop alumni, who work on
planning, construction, teaching, computer aided drafting,
maintenance, cooking, carpentry, metal work, ceramics, gardening
and communications. They produce the world-famous Soleri
Bells, as well as hosting 50,000 tourists each year in
a Gallery, Bakery, and Cafe open every day except Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Years Day. Guided tours introduce visitors
to the philosophy , history,
planning and ongoing
construction of the site.
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