Arcosanti: An Urban Experiment in Arcology

Matt and I were at a whisky distillery in Nashville, when one of the awesome brewers (Jessi) told us about an innovative architectural experiment in the desert of Arizona called Arcosanti, so we decided to visit.

Arcosanti is an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community, and environmental accountability. 

https://arcosanti.org/

Paolo Soleri, an Italian architect, studied under Frank Lloyd Wright and developed the concept of arcology-- human's living in synergy with their environment, through the use of ecology in architecture. Soleri saw that the creation of suburbs turned many cites to wastelands, while the urban sprawl created an unnecessary waste of resources. Soleri sought to re-concentrate populations into self-sufficient, comprehensive  micro-communities. He began building the prototype for such a city outside of Phoenix, AZ called Arocsanti.

Artists, architects and engineers live at Arcosanti, working on the building of the property as imagined by Soleri.

Amphitheater- Regular concerts are held here. 

Arcosanti at night 

George Lucas visited Acrosanti and designed Luke's childhood home after the architecture, seen here.

Our Roommate...

Full view of Arcosanti

Paolo Soleri Design

The Grand Canyon

"The one great sight which every American should see.” ...Teddy Roosevelt

Sunrise, obviously Matt's idea, but worth it. It's raining only in left of photo and you can see the Colorado River.

Hiking down... The view up. 

This guy thought the plants in the road divider made a salad bar, and he’s a messy eater. The male and female elk both lose their antlers every year and then regrow the antlers at the rate of 1’’/day. The antlers have their own circulatory system which allows elk to cool themselves in the summer months. Our shuttle driver was a big talker and picked-up on my elk interest, so I have a lot of fun elk facts now. 

This is a huge cliff... Good decisions. 

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe bend- near the town of Page, AZ. The bend is just outside the Grand Canyon National Park limit. 

Crazy person 

Crazy person's boyfriend

Antelope Canyon

One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Antelope Canyon is near the city of Page, AZ. The upper and lower canyons are on the land of the Navajo tribe. The Navajo give guided tours, and you cannot go to the canyons without a guide. The best priced tour we found was Ken's tour: $25/pp or $50/pp to do photo you’re with a tripod and special guide. We did the $25 tour of the lower canyon. These wonderful photos are Matt's.

Slit canyon we walked down into to see everything. The only problem is occasional flash floods. 

The Painted Desert and The Petrified Forest National Park

Entering Arizona- almost there! 

The Painted Desert near Flagstaff, AZ

Petrified Forrest National Park is the only national park that Route 66 goes through. 

An old Chevy that broke-down on Route 66. 

Painted Desert 

Painted Desert 

The Petrified Forest- A forest of trees that have been turned to stone (fossilized) over 225 million years. 

Huge trees that lived during the Triassic period

Did you know sharks existed long before dinosaurs? Sharks are the coolest.

Close-up of petrified tree

Petrified wood

Albuquerque, New Mexico Rock Climbing and Sunsets

After 8 hours, three states and 568 miles we needed some activity. New Mexico has great bouldering, so we stopped and climbed stuff.

The hike to rocks

I'm in this one, kinda.

Climbing the Wedge

Famous New Mexico Sunset