I learned a new word — Arcology: a combo of architecture and ecology — a term apparently coined by the architect Paolo Soleri.

Soleri’s the guy behind Arcosanti, a prototype arcology that’s been in construction since the ’70s.

So my friend Kate and I visited Arcosanti yesterday, becoming 2 of the 50,000 visitors who check out the place each year.

At first, we were a bit taken back by the new-agey feel of the place. The first spot visitors walk into is the gift shop, which displays lots and lots of windchimes, along with lots and lots of books by and about Paolo Solari. To me, the place seemed almost like a shrine to Solari, which got me a lil weirded out about Arcosanti as a whole.

It was an hour till the next guided tour, so Kate and I took a lil hike up the visitor’s trail — which gave us a few excellent views of Arcosanti as a whole — before leading us to a dead end.

So we walked back and went through the guided tour.

Our guide really helped us make better sense of what Arcosanti was about. For one, the sales of the windchimes apparently help fund the continued construction at Arcosanti, which explained why these chimes were all over the place.

The basic idea of Arcosanti: To create a walkable city that’s designed for people, not the car (fuck those Hummers!). It’s a compact city, like Manhattan, but it’s also one that’s been inspired with and created by a cohesive, conscious design.

And while the place is compact, eco-friendly, and walkable, Solari clearly isn’t set on complete self-sufficiency. The place is designed to facilitate a culture of its own, but isn’t intended as one that will, or can, cut itself off from the world around it. Yes, greenhouses are in the plans — but hey, they’ll never grow coffee there.

Right now, about 70 people live there. When the project’s completed, it should house 5,000 people. No clue as to when the place’ll be completed though…

In addition to offering daily tours each hour, Arcosanti offers workshops and seminars. If you attend a 5-week seminar, you’ll be eligible to actually live there.

Ok — I’m not sure I could live there. At least not until the place has been totally built up, and there are at least those 5,000 people living there.

That said, I would LOVE to spend a month there. If I did, I’d prolly get some serious work done on my dissertation…

We’re talking a nice hot desert resort-esque living situation, with a pool and nature all around you. There’s a bakery, there’s a cafe, there’s an art gallery. The place is peaceful and comfortable — and of course, eco-friendly.

More than anything else, Arcosanti’s inspiring, pushing the limits on how we think we can or should live.

Thanks to reader Indigo for the recommendation :)

Arcosanti. 3 miles from the Cordes Junction. Arizona. 928.632.7135.

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