BYWAYS PLUS: DATES! - Desert Magazine of the Southwest

Soleri and the people around him want one of the
alternatives to be vertical, three dimensional, an urban
sculpture, ecologically sound, relatively self-sufficient
(greenhouses on the southern slopes would produce
food and, through the chimney effect, heat), nearly polution
free (no automobiles needed except for travel
from city to city or into the country), and economically
feasible. All they need to finish the first Arcology (the
combination of architecture and ecology) is $250
million, not an outrageous amount in today's economy.
However, the market is not bullish on a project of this
immensity that isn't necessary right now. Unfortunately,
what would make it necessary is a national disaster,
war, pestilence or something else that would draw
people together for mutual protection. Not too different
from the reason for the feudal manor.
In his book, "Matter Becoming Spirit," Soleri writes
about the dvitate Dei (City of God) in connection with
his plans for an Arcology. His architecture is closely
connected to a complex philosophy that believes in the
gradual evolution toward pure mind and spirit. Don't
get me wrong. Arcosanti is not a religious cult, the
40-50 people who live in Arcosanti year-round are high
spirited, intelligent, and well-educated, not Jonestown-like
creatures following some false prophet.
Arcosanti is a spiritual vision in preformed concrete.
Some people are attracted to that vision because of the
strength of Soleri, his dedication and perseverance, the
logical reasonableness of his plan, and because of the
need for some rational alternative to the present chaos
of city life. Others don't see it that way. Arcosanti
frightens some who see it as a brave-new-world concept
with horrifying implications of Orwell's 1984, the idea
of advanced technology linked together with the potential
for political tyranny. On one of the tours through
Arcosanti I heard a young woman say she thought the
idea was truly amazing but felt that she could never live
so close to other people.
But what a gamble Soleri has made. What risks they
have all taken, with many more to come. They have put
their money and their muscles where their mouths are
for ten years and there's no indication anybody is going
to quit. What they are doing is exciting, alive, and
vibrating with the challenge they are meeting. They
project hope, faith, and fresh eyes to the future.
Arcosanti will continue to attract and to appall people
because there is true power in its structure, but there
are also cracks in its concrete. It is a bold and massive
experiment, probably the most significant attempt to
solve the urban mess being carried on today.
Could I live there? Yes, I could, though I'd rather not
just yet, I hate to say.
Next month you 'II meet the people of Arcosanti,
those who can and do live in this extraordinary urban
laboratory.
24 The Desert Magazine/March 1980