The Nudging Space Arcology is a variation of Soleri's earlier design 'Two Suns'. The important design element here is the 'Apsedra' which combines two architectural forms, the 'Apse' and the 'Excedra'. One way to visualize this is to picture a halved artichoke whose upper third has been sliced off and it's choke removed. Its blades are separated but still remain attached to the lower center. The psychosomatic side is revealed by the influence the curved space has on our relationship with things and people. The Apsedra encourages conviviality by offering a focusing convergence (its center of centers) where awareness and dialoging are enhanced.
"In nature, as an organism evolves it increases in complexity and it also becomes a more compact or miniaturized system. Similarly a city should function as a living system. Arcology, architecture and ecology as one integral process, is capable of demonstrating positive response to the many problems of urban civilization, population, pollution, energy and natural resource depletion, food scarcity and quality of life. Arcology recognizes the necessity of the radical reorganization of the sprawling urban landscape into dense, integrated, three-dimensional cities in order to support the complex activities that sustain human culture. The city is the necessary instrument for the evolution of humankind." Paolo Soleri - [More on Arcology Theory].[Scanned image of original drawing by Paolo Soleri & text: Cosanti Foundation]
It is raining hard and the lake is filling to the very brim.
[Photo & text: sa]
From one of the south windows in the cafe, Charlie points at a running creek in the usual dry wash below the Crafts III building.
[Photo & text: sa]
Large festivals took place between 1975 and 1978 in this natural amphitheater below the Crafts III building. The wall wedge was built by a stone masons workshop hosted by Haystack School of Crafts in Maine.
[Photo & text: sa]
This photo was taken from the rain drenched library window in the S.O.D. [Soleri Office Building]. Rain continues.
[Photo & text: sa]
On 10/15 we reported a new shade structure for the Foundry. The second part of that is now in the process of installation.
[Photo & text: sa]
Two separate wings will be connected on one side to the ceiling of the apse.
[Photo & text: sa]
The shape of the frame compliments the wing-like shade installed on 10/15. This report will be continued.
[Photo & text: sa]
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Landscaping crew member Krystofer Lanceaux and manager Ron Chandler upgrade the concrete pathway in front of the Ceramics Apse.
[Photo & text: sa]
Large rocks are removed to be replaced by a smooth slab.
[Photo:Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The path between the Ceramics Apse and the Foundry apartments is widened.
[Photo:Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
This will give more room to wheel-chair bound visitors and large tours.
[Photo & text: sa]
Agriculture department works on the fence that surrounds the Arcosanti site. Crew members Mark Whigham, Camila Jolda and manager Scott Dolan.
[Photo:Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
State land around the Arcosanti property is leased to a local rancher to graze cows.
[Photo:Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Cows and wild antelope frequently break through the fence.
[Photo:Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Crops in the Arcosanti gardens provide tempting delicacies in this harsh desert environment.
[Photo:Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Agriculture department is planting new seeds in the experimental greenhouse in camp.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Planting beds are prepared for lettuce, chicory, bok choy, radishes, tatsoi, komatsuna, red ursa kale, baby leaf spinach and celery.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Stable micro climate of the greenhouse achieved by the membrane and thermal mass of the building extends the growing season into the winter months.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The last workshop of 2004 has completed their 5-week program. Workshop coordinator Kelli Huth hands the workshop certificate to Eric Halbach.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
>>left>> Saravanan Mahalingam >>right>> Segolene Gautier.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Graduate Ryan McTigue. Also graduated: Margot Bos-Ham, Kim Chikyung, Sean Leigh, David Herschberger, Cristiano Macchi and Joshua Kuensting.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The old concrete truck still works, currently maintenained by long-time resident Dave Tollas.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
During this pour the new ramp up to the foundry is extended. Delivery of bronze ingots will be able to unload right next to the furnace.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
More concrete is moved up to the foundry level by wheel barrow ... [workshopper Eric Halbach and planning intern Chad Phelan]
[Photo & text: sa]
... transferred into buckets and poured into place ... [workshoppers Margot Bos-Ham, Ryan McTigue and Joshua Kunsting].
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
... to widen the east walkway to the new extension deck in front of the foundry. Foundry employee Bruno Larios and workshopper Eric Halbach.
[Photo & text: sa]
The weather has been dismal with a lot of rain, wonderful for drought relief, but tough on the outside construction crew. Nevertheless, construction proceeds at the back of the East Crescent complex. The form for the stairs is complete. This set of stairs will lead from the bridge at the second floor level to the third floor.
[Photo & text: sa]
Earth deposits in the bedrock between Unit 6 and 7 have been cleaned out and a wall form is in progress.
[Photo & text: sa]
This prepares for a walkway above the rocks ...
[Photo & text: sa]
... and a beautiful rock scape that may be landscaped with small clusters of native plants.
[Photo & text: sa]
On 11/1 we reported on interior work on the glass wall shower in the north facing light scoop apartment in Unit 6. Interior work progresses in the south-facing apartment in Unit 6.
[Photo & text: sa]
A window was cored for the bathroom.
[Photo & text: sa]
The shower pan has been started and planning intern Dennis Gerigk measures the membrane that will line the shower pan.
[Photo & text: sa]
The planning department put together a visual aid booklet for the workshop participants, to show what the finished bathroom will look like. More to come.
[Photo & text: sa]
While we have reported on all sorts of activities, construction on the East Crescent Complex has steadily progressed. A stairway is formed up, from the bridge on the second level, going up to the third level, at the back of Unit 6.
[Photo: Therese Kristiansson & text: sa]
Crew-leader Ray Shong, with volunteers Mika Kawai and Chihiro Adachi [below], installs the rebar steel cage.
[Photo: Therese Kristiansson & text: sa]
Workshop participant Maria Rita Rodino and Planning intern Boris Pizzeghello put the final touch to the form work for the stairs.
[Photo: Therese Kristiansson & text: sa]
Mika Kawai installs a support brace to keep a scaffold beam in place.
[Photo: Therese Kristiansson & text: sa]