As an integral part of East Crescent Complex, Light Scoops rise vertically accenting the outer edge of the half circular building footprint.
[Photo & Text: T]
The Light Scoop of Phase Five features circular and square windows which provides a spectacular view of the desert. A clerestory window at the top brings sunlight into the space highlighting the unique ceiling relief design made by Soleri's patented earthcasting technique.
[Photo & Text: T]
The rising sun refreshes the room as the construction crew discusses work details.
[Photo & Text: T]
Crew leader Lindsay Clark goes over the drywall procedures with workshoppers Nicole Rouillard and Winston Gilcrease.
[Photo & Text: T]
The agriculture crew is working on a trench surrounding a portion of the large field behind camp. Keeping cows, as well as native browsers away from the crops has been a recurrent problem.
[Photo & Text: ss]
Current workshoppers Dylan and Lisa contribute some labor to the task, which was begun over a year ago. This solution was suggested by Saravanan, a workshopper from Auroville, in southern India.
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Sarah Beth has worked in the Agriculture department on and off since April 2003. She really enjoys digging.
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Workshop participant Morgan spends his workshop as part of the Planning department. He uses CAD to draw a schematic of the solar system distribution in the East Crescent.
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Construction and Utilities manager Scott Riley explains the details of the solar power system throughout Phase 5 of the East Crescent project.
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The workshop group has an opportunity to work with different departments during their time at Arcosanti. Each Friday morning all workshoppers gather for a synergy. The group heads out to the Minds Garden to work with the Landscaping department. They will help to install an irrigation system to water the italian cypress, olive, and other drought tolerant species there.
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Ron Chandler, the Landscaping Manager, helps workshoppers Janette and Dylan clear a trench from the main line to a control box. The box houses the valves controlling the flow to the lateral lines.
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Lisa and Ela work to level the trench so the main line will lay flat once it is placed.
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Nicole, Winston, and Morgan work on the upper part of the trench. The drought tolerant species of trees in the Minds Garden still require some watering, especially since it has not rained for the past four months.
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After the seminar-week at the beginning of each workshop, participants can choose to get involved in some departments, like maintenance.
[Photo: ss & text: sa]
Maintenance crew workshopper Cabiria Dourte re-paints window frames in the Crafts III visitors center.
[Photo: ss & text: sa]
Arcosanti workshop participants and staff prepare the dining room in the Crafts III building for the first concert of 2006.
[from left] Workshopper Nicole folded silverware into napkins, volunteer Joan set tables, workshopper 'J' placed little Valentine surprise cakes.[Photo:ss & text:sa]
[from left] Lindsey and Katerina assisted chef Erika; kitchen helpers were volunteer Denman, workshopper Jeanette and staff Dr. Sparks; servers were Lisa, Ela, Bruno, Winston and Sarah.
The delicious menu was roasted Cajun Salmon, Butternut Squash and roasted Sweet Red Pepper Soup, roasted Sweet Potato with sundried Tomatoes and Capers, baked Gnocchi alla Romana, Salad Greens with roasted Cashews, black Olives and Oranges, and Pave de Chocolate and Arcosanti's Valentine's Day Honey Bread for dessert.[Photos:ss&sa, text:sa]
The evenings artist, Ms. Jennifer Yeung, is a native of Toronto and a former concert pianist. With contemplative lyrics, lush harmonies, intricate melodies and a penetrating voice, Yeung delivered a breathtaking performance while keeping interludes light hearted, engaging and humorous. The theme of "The Many Faces of Love" explores the idea that whatever we do, the way we behave, if you boil it down, it is a call for love. It is fundamental in everything you do. [the artist]
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Jennifer graciously signed copies of her CD "Dream the Ocean Blue".
[Photo:ss & text:sa
Arcosanti garden crew takes advantage of the mild weather to prepare a tree planting.
[Photo: Sean Smith & text: sa]
The ground is very hard, and crew member Sarah has to resort to a pick-ax to prepare a large enough hole.
[Photo: Sean Smith & text: sa]
Workshop participant Lisa holds the young Magnolia tree in place, while the crew carefully installs the roots of the little tree into a bed of fertile ground.
[Photo: Sean Smith & text: sa]
The trees are planted in strategic location to provide shade and comfort in future during the hot summer months.
[Photo: Sean Smith & text: sa]
Paolo Soleri presents this proposal as an alternative to the levee system in New Orleans.
His letter to the editor of TIME Magazine on 12/19/2005: NEW ORLEANS, DO NOT BUILD LEVEES, BUILD LEVEE CITY! The investment in constructing new levees, we speak now of an initial 40 miles, can be an investment for the foundations of a 40-mile-long linear city right on the spot of the existing levees. For a 20-30 story city, the foundations would be a barrier far, far more storm-proof than a blind buried wall of China with no purpose but fighting the unfriendly rising water.[Image & text: Cosanti Foundation]
Consider the real estate value of a beach front development. See the European experience where thousands of kilometers of coastal line are the living and tourist trade treasures of the Mediterranean basin.
Let New Orleans nostalgically rebuild itself, lets restore the natural barriers that once existed but lets also institute [Tennesse Valley Authority like if necessary] an Urban Laboratory one-kilometer-long [two third of a mile] that is an exercise of coherence between nature's tantrums and the human condition, now on a binge of distraction and destruction. Take a few minutes for the SOLARE proposition. We are trying to reach society at large. Your millions of readers could be a shot in the arms of our 40 year struggle at presenting the LEAN ALTERNATIVE to the unequivocally materialistic incline that will eventually do us in.[Image & text: Cosanti Foundation]
A new poster with a brief outline and beautiful images of Paolo Soleri's SOLARE proposal is now available on our web-site.
[Image: Arcosanti Graphics & text: sa]
More information about SOLARE, a Lean Linear City.
[Image: Arcosanti Graphics & text: sa]
Paolo Soleri's urban concept is outlined in the book "Arcology: The City in the Image of Man" originally published in 1969. Now available in special edition, this beautifully bound book is autographed by the author.
[Photo & Text: T]
Paolo Soleri's retrospective exhibition opened in Rome few months ago produced this exhibit catalogue. Only the soft cover edition was sold at the exhibition sites. Now the hardcover edition is available through our website.
[Photo & Text: T]
Welcome to the first workshop group of 2006:
(back from left) Jonathan, Winston, Nicole and Cabiria, (front from left) Lisa, Rebecca, Dylan, Janette and Morgan.[Photo & Text: sa]