Last week, a group of Arcosanti residents, volunteers and workshop participants set out to clean up our section of I-17 for Adopt-a-Highway.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
The community adopted the I-17/AZ-69 intersection at Cordes Junction and, on a quarterly basis, helps to keep it clean.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Equipped with bright orange vests, sturdy trash bags, and rubber gloves, the group always finds an interesting collection of garbage along the road. Mostly, we find fast food containers, small car parts, and cigarette butts.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Whoever finds the most unique object wins free bakery goods!
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 31, 2010 8:09:57 AM MST
With the help of our large March Workshop, thirty-three participants, we've accomplished a lot around site. Today begins the fourth week of our five-week program. Participants are currently contributing to many departments, such as: Construction, Landscaping, Maintenance, Agriculture, Metal Shop, and Ceramics.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
So far, they've helped to complete many small concrete pours.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Participants work with construction tools, but also in the greenhouses tending crops.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
They have the opportunity to learn metal work, landscaping, agriculture, and much more.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Since 1970, over 6,000 workshop participants helped to build Arcosanti.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
As part of their spring co-op, twenty-two architecture, construction management, and civil engineering students from Wentworth Institute of Technology are participating in our March Workshop.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 29, 2010 8:58:57 AM MST
Continuing our landscaping report from March 24th:At the ceramics apse, our landscaping crew and current workshop participants poured the second concrete panel early this week.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Now the concrete is left to cure. The first panel is visible in the back left corner of the picture. Together the panels will be part of a new planter.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
In the meantime, the landscaping crew created new concrete pavers to replace a few broken ones near the Sky Suite.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
And they also began construction on a rock retaining wall in front of the Greenhouse Guest Rooms.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
As work progresses, we will continue to report on landscaping projects.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 26, 2010 11:36:56 AM MST
Improvements are underway around the back of the Ceramics Apse. With the help of the previous workshop our landscaping department set pavers around the base of the apse, but now they are creating concrete panels for the project's next step.The panels are created using the silt-cast technique. Landscaping crewmember Brian Fritz led volunteers Mike Kelliher and Ikue Saitou in construction of the formwork. Silt, a fine sand and clay mixture, is sifted and prepared to provide a base for the panel.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Design impressions can be made into the silt or left plain. In either case, the silt-cast side is exposed when the panel is lifted into place and the remaining silt leaves color and texture on the concrete. Here the prepared formwork with steel reinforcement bars awaits the concrete pour.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Participants of the current Workshop joined our landscaping crew to help pour the panel.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
A simple wooden board was used to smooth the top of the concrete.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
After it cured, this panel was tilted up to align with the existing walls behind it. Most of the silt will be brushed off or washed away, but some will remain. Formwork for the next panel is already in progress and we will report more on this in the near future.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 24, 2010 9:26:20 AM MST
Advanced Permaculture Course in Teaching The one-week course was offered to individuals who had already earned a permaculture design course certificate and were now interested in teaching. Students learned different techniques to teach the concepts of permaculture and how to implement these ideas in a variety of settings. Arcosanti hosted the group of fifteen, providing guest room accommodations, meeting space, meals for the week, and a gorgeous setting.
Top row: Dillon Naber from Cottage Grove, Oregon, Bryce H. Ruddock from South Milwaukee, WI, Les Mitchell from Lancing, UK, Ron Nowicki from Downers Grove, IL, Tom McDonald from Gold Canyon, AZ.
Middle row: Sharon Ferguson from Anchorage, Alaska, Bill Wilson from Stelle, IL and Gloria Haswell from Floresville, TX.
Bottom row: Andrew Millison from Corvallis, OR [Andy is an Arcosanti alumnus], Jude Hobbs from Cottage Grove, OR, Deb Burman from Moscow, Idaho, Kirsten Isakson from Forest Grove, OR, Seaheart from Waldport, OR, Paul B. Range from Floresville, TX and Wayne Weiseman from Cabondale, IL.
[photo & text: sue]
Posted by sue on March 22, 2010 3:35:33 PM MST
Arcosanti Offers Rare Sale on Soleri Windbells
Handmade in Arizona, Soleri windbells are offered at discounted prices in the Arcosanti Gallery only March 19 – 28, 2010.
[image & text: Cosanti Foundation]
A limited time sale on Soleri bronze windbells will be offered in the Arcosanti Gallery from March 19 – 28, 2010, including 20% off a wide selection of bells. Located about 1 hour north of Phoenix near exit 262 off of Interstate 17, Arcosanti is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Arcosanti offers visitors remarkable architecture in a serene desert setting.
[photo: sue & text: Cosanti Foundation]
Walking tours are offered several times per day, the Café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, and a visitor hiking trail presents an opportunity to see splendid views of the Arcosanti site perched upon a colorful desert mesa. Call 928-632-7135 or visit www.arcosanti.org for maps or additional information.
[photo: sue & text: Cosanti Foundation]
Each one of a kind Soleri windbell is handmade in Arizona using the techniques developed by Italian architect and Arcosanti founder Paolo Soleri. This sale is only offered once per year, only applies to in-store purchases at Arcosanti, and cannot to be combined with any other discount.
[photo: sue & text: Cosanti Foundation]
Posted by sue on March 19, 2010 11:31:47 AM MST
Continuing our report on the heat duct tunnel construction from March 10th:With the help of our newest workshop participants, the construction crew has already poured the next section of the heat duct tunnel. In this photo, the crew prepares the formwork for footings to support future wall sections.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Here is a view of the preliminary work from above.By the next day, the forms were finished and the concrete poured. Not pictured is another small footing at the end of the opposite wall, which was also completed.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
The crew used the small mixer and transferred concrete into wheelbarrows.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Then they poured the concrete from the wheelbarrow onto a chute positioned above the formwork.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 17, 2010 11:30:32 AM MST
Recently Paolo Soleri experimented with a new type of sculptural bell assembly.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
This prototype of his idea, fabricated from steel by Brent Scott, hung in the vaults temporarily to give it architectural context.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Paolo observes as Randall Schultz makes final adjustments to the bells.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & sue & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 15, 2010 3:53:31 PM MST
Welcome to the March 2010 Workshop participantsBack: Kevin Stevenson, Dan Moran, Jonathan Robitaille, Patrick Delulis, Jarred Jackson, Jeremy Couto, Andrew Ferri, Matthieu Guiot from France, Adam McCarthy, Andrew Wheeler, Jovan Tanasijevic
Middle Back: Marcia Sailor [seminar week], George Gowen, Scott Daniels, John Yu, Lindsay Seligman, Jacob Mushlin [seminar week], Ariana Deignan-Kosmi [seminar week], Samantha Tapia
Middle Front: Megan Rogoff, Tyler Wilcox, Joseph LoCoco, Daniel Mulvey, Robert Martin, David Tarby
Front: Matthew Smith, Scott Morgan, Jessica Corbett, Nunzia DiMolfetta from Italy, Takako Sugiyama from Japan [4 weeks], Angela Sicilia from Italy, John Fennell, Joseph DiLorenzo
Not Pictured: Craig Capano [seminar week]
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 12, 2010 4:09:51 PM MST
To continue our heat duct tunnel report from February 15th: The forms were removed after the recent large pour. Workshop participant Cara Pirello and construction crew member Jeff Buderer transport the wood panels from the project site.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
A wider view shows the concrete of the outer wall after form removal and workshop participant Kirsten Lynge assisting with the project.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
The interior walls of the tunnel were painted black with a concrete pigment. This will help to generate heat after the tunnel roof is enclosed with a membrane. Pictured here are Dave Tollas and Cara working to complete the painting.
[photo & text: Colleen Reckow]
Now, the heat duct tunnel interior walls are black. The floor painting is in progress and will be finished in the near future. Another upcoming construction step is to insulate the left wall pictured and backfill to help prevent heat loss.
[photo & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 10, 2010 4:20:10 PM MST
Congratulations to the January 31. 2010 Workshop participants upon their graduation! [from left]: Astrid Sonne, Kirsten Lynge, Daniel Reiff, Ikue Saitou, Jin-Hee Koh, and Cara Pirello.
[photo & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 8, 2010 3:19:48 PM MST
Our youngest residents pose for a picture with Arcosanti in the background, from left to right: Graham, Sasha, Maxwell, and Sebastian.
[photo Nadia Begin & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 5, 2010 11:34:55 AM MST
The greenhouse report continues from Monday: the first crops were planted yesterday!In this view, Nadia Begin inspects the recently installed membrane from the greenhouse interior. Three planter boxes are prepared currently. A fourth planting area will be constructed at the ground level on the far left.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
With the seeds and seedlings spread out and a plan drawn up, the planting team, lead by Bambú Ransom, got dirty. Our soil is comprised of: one part silt, two parts compost, with added peat moss in the top layer.
[photo & text: Colleen Reckow]
Workshop participants Cara Pirello, Astrid Sonne, Daniel Reiff, and Kirsten Lynge planted the chard and lettuce area with a rotation for timed harvest in mind.Jeff Buderer planted dill seeds among strawberry seedlings.
[photo & text: Colleen Reckow]
In the future crop are cucumbers, carrots, summer squash, and more. Tomatoes were planted with marigolds to help prevent leafhoppers and borage to stop tomato worm. Many small loquat trees are currently stored in the greenhouse, but will be soon planted around site.
[photo & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 3, 2010 9:31:41 AM MST
Since our last report on February 22, our new greenhouse was prepared for planting. In just the past week, the planter boxes were finished, the soil mixed, and the membrane installed.After installing one end panel of the membrane, the construction team carried the next panel into position. Planter box work continued as well.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
The membrane, in specific, is a Polymax 5.2 oz clear woven greenhouse covering with added UV inhibitors. The end panels feature zippered openings for access.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
The frame required a few final touches before full enclosure and the third planter box is almost complete in this photo.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Last Thursday, the largest section of the membrane was installed. Here the team (front to back: Nadia Begin, Cara Pirello, Jeff Buderer, Astrid Sonne, and Kirsten Lynge) unrolls and secures the membrane.Workshop participants Kirsten Lynge and Otto Vervaet secure one corner. In the future, these long sides will roll up to allow for passive ventilation.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Now the greenhouse is prepared for the 2010 growing season. On Wednesday, we will continue our report on the greenhouse and details about our first crops.
[photo: Chihiro Saito & text: Colleen Reckow]
Posted by sue on March 1, 2010 3:31:12 PM MST