What Is The Cosanti Foundation?

Monique de los Rios-Urban has practiced architectural design, regional and urban planning for thirty years initiating her career in South America and continuing her professional practice in the US. Her experience spans from urban planning and development to sustainable systems and strategic planning for the greater Phoenix region during the last twenty years. She received a professional degree in Architecture and has a Masters of Environmental Planning Degree from Arizona State University with a concentration on infrastructure and energy systems for the built environment. Monique was an active collaborator and member of the Arcosanti Strategic Planning Committee from 2014 to 2016. De los Rios-Urban is currently retired from MAG, the Maricopa Association of Governments, after managing the Regional Performance Program at MAG since 2006, leading the implementation of performance management at the planning and programming level as well as developing web-based reporting applications based on data systems analysis, visualization and policy development.

Jeff opened his own practice in Prescott, Arizona in 1986 with Tom Reilly, also an Arcosanti participant. One of their earliest commissions was the design for La Loggia, one of the potential future structures at Arcosanti, followed by the Energy Apron Greenhouses. 

In 1995, Jeff teamed up with Paul Moore, yet another Arcosanti alumn, to create a company called Cohocom, dedicated to the fostering of cohousing communities. Together, they founded Manzanita Village of Prescott, which continues as a thriving community to this day. 

Over a career spanning five decades, Jeff’s clients ranged from private residences, to Indigenous cultural centers, and nature centers. His stone house was published in “The Cabin Book” by Linda Leigh Paul. His work also appeared in “Architecture + Magazine” for “The Leaf House.” His design for The Los Alamos County Nature Center received the Southwest Building of the Year award from McGraw-Hill publishing. He also received the “Architect of the Year” award from the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Jeff continued his association with Arcosanti as a consultant until 2019, and joined the Board of Directors of The Cosanti Foundation in 2022.

A former member of The Screen Actors Guild, Jeff is also an accomplished actor, having appeared on stage numerous times, including in over a dozen plays by Shakespeare. He now lives in Oracle, AZ with his wife, Jean Wilcox. These days, in addition to practicing architecture, he has turned his attention to writing, and is currently working on the third book of “The New Moon Trilogy.”

http://jeffreylzucker.com/

She made Arcosanti her home and with her husband David Tollas raised her 2 sons; Tristan and Sasha both born in the urban laboratory.

During her many years at Arcosanti, she worked in different parts of the project from managing the Planning Department, cooking in the café to making the Famous Ceramic bells. She worked closely with Paolo Soleri on the Hyper Building, the Lean Linear City and the East Crescent Complex at Arcosanti. With Jeffrey Zucker, Architect & Alumni, she developed a design for the keystone Unit Theater of the Complex.
She has been an active member of the Arcosanti Leadership Team, the Cosanti Foundation Steering Committee and the Arcosanti Community Council many times over.

She now works as an Architectural Associate at Architecture Works Green for Reynold Radoccia, Architect & Arcosanti Alumni in Clarkdale, AZ. She also teaches at ECOSA Institute of Regenerative Design with Tony Brown, Ecosa President & Arcosanti Alumni in Prescott, AZ, She and David have participated in exchanges with the Auroville International Community in India. That experience has inspired her the vision and possibilities for Arcosanti. She is grateful for all she has learned while living and working at Arcosanti and truly believes Arcosanti has the potential to become one of the biggest undertakings the world needs!

David is a managing partner in Fordon Partners International, a commercial investment and professional advisory firm providing corporate management services to start-up ventures, including real estate development undertakings and joint-venture formations in the high-tech, entertainment, world trade, hospitality/convention, and ocean-marine industries. He is also General Manager and Chief Executive of the Solanna Group LLC, appointed by the Solanna family in 2005. He brings considerable Native American experience to the Solanna Group, having previous assisted tribes in the Pacific Northwest to implement multiple self-determination initiatives including: an Indian Nation limited liability company code, port authority, foreign trade zone, industrial development district, exclusive economic zone and commercial municipality.

After working in Milan as a contract law adviser with a large telecommunications company, Matteo moved to Arcosanti where he resided and worked for more than 10 years with a variety of responsibilities including human resources management, workshop coordination, operations management, and the development of strategic partnerships with cultural institutions and universities.

In 2012 Matteo received his MBA in Supply Chain and Operations Management at Arizona State University and relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife Emily, and their two daughters.  Matteo currently works with Bank of America where he holds the position of Senior Vice President with the Global Corporate Services team.