Know Before You Go
We have put new health and safety practices in place to welcome visitors again at Arcosanti.
Cashless Transactions Only
Please note that only cashless transactions are being accepted at Arcosanti at this time.
Weekday Tour Free Poster Promotion
Mondays – Fridays: Take a weekday guided tour of The Urban Laboratory and receive a FREE poster (value $10)! Plus, take our post-tour survey and save 10% in the Arcosanti Gallery.
Tour Schedule
Monday – Tuesday: 9:30 am | 11:00 amWednesday – Sunday: 9:30 am | 11:00 am | 1:30 pm | 3:00 pm
In-depth small group Specialty Tours are offered on Saturdays. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Masks Required
Please be advised that face masks are required to be worn when visiting Arcosanti. We’re happy to provide one-time-use paper masks to those visitors without their own mask.
Arcosanti Café Open for the Season
Beginning September 17th, the Café at Arcosanti will be open Thursdays – Sundays from 9am – 2pm. Visitors can enjoy self-service coffee and tea from 9–11 am and made-to-order lunch from 11am – 2pm.The World’s First Arcology Prototype
Arcology is a set of design principles conceived of by the late theoretical architect, Paolo Soleri. The term is a blending of “architecture” and “ecology” and is the antithesis of urban sprawl. Sensing the growing reliance on cars, the increasing appropriation of natural spaces for housing developments, and the negative impact of both on the human spirit and the planet, Soleri conceived of Arcosanti as a proof of concept of arcology. Begun in 1970 and based on an arcology-minded design theory, Arcosanti, dubbed “The Urban Laboratory,” one of the modern world’s first attempt at creating an urban living experience that is vertical, densely integrated with mixed uses, and environmentally-conscious.
Today, Arcosanti is considered an important and early example of a radical urban plan that enables conservation of land, energy, and natural resources. Over 8,000 sustainability-minded volunteers have contributed to the building of Arcosanti over the past 50 years, gaining valuable experience in construction, passive solar energy concepts, and responsible urban design, simply by contributing to the project and “learning by doing.”
Experience Arcosanti
Through enriching educational experiences that connect audiences to the rich tradition of art-making at Arcosanti, our workshops feature unique explorations into stilt-casting, metalwork, glass-blowing, photography, and others. Arcosanti also proudly curates and collaborates with partners to present a variety of public programming.
5 Day Experience Week
The notion of “learning by doing” has been a guiding principle at Arcosanti since the beginning in 1970. Come learn new skills in an inviting and immersive hands-on environment unlike anywhere else. You’ll be inspired by nature, art, architecture, and the distinctly unique ethos of the Arcosanti community while experiencing art-making and examining the interesting design principals upon which Arcosanti is founded.
Silt Casting Workshop
Metalworking Workshop
Cosanti Original Windbells
Cosanti Originals Windbells have been an important source of income for The Cosanti Foundation to support its mission and its stewardship of both Arcosanti and Cosanti. The notion of “craft” and art-making has a rich tradition at Cosanti and Arcosanti. The cast-in-place method used to make the ceramic Windbells was the inspiration for building the innovative silt-cast structures pioneered by Paolo Soleri.
The largest concentration of these provocative structures is at Cosanti, Soleri’s former design studio, in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Today, the handcrafted Ceramic and Bronze Windbells are still being made, one by one, in the same time-honored artistic tradition, by skilled artisans. Renowned worldwide, Cosanti Originals Windbells are a collectible and sought-after “Arizona” treasure.
Stay at Arcosanti
After a day spent absorbing the ethos of Arcosanti, enjoy a peaceful and restful overnight stay. Our guests get to experience first-hand an immersion into the guiding principals of arcology. Featuring minimalist furnishings and large windows to take in the sweeping views, the “elegant frugality” and unspoiled nature work together to create a contemplative experience.
Arcosanti is a place for serenity and solitude, as well as a unique cultural experience in a semi-urban environment. Take time to explore and take in the unique architecture, natural surroundings, and be captivated by the community spaces as you interact with the interesting people who call Arcosanti home.
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