Guided Tours of Arcosanti
Explore and Learn About Arcosanti
Daily tours of the unique architecture and grounds at Arcosanti, led by a knowledgeable resident tour guide, are held multiple times every day of the year except major holidays.
Visitors to Arcosanti, the world’s first prototype arcology consciously integrating architecture and ecology into its design, will learn about the rich 50 year history of the project and understand why Arcosanti continues to influence young architects, urban planners, and designers from around the world.
Daily Tour
Our in-depth guided tour begins with a brief history of Arcosanti from its beginning in 1970 to today. Included on the daily tour are the iconic silt-cast and form-cast concrete structures, interior and exterior spaces, the bronze foundry, and the ceramics studio. Additionally, tour guides will share the origins and history of Arcosanti, why it is where it is, the community of environmentally-conscious residents that occupy it, and what Arcosanti continues to teach us about sustainable architecture.
*Tours will be limited to a maximum of 10 people and wearing a face covering is required.*
Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Start times: MON-TUES: 9:30 am, 11 am | WED-SUN: 9:30 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3 pm
Tour Fee: $20/General · $12/Students, children 12 and under free
Note: groups of 15 or more require a reservation, prepayment, and save 20% when registering in at least 48 hours in advance.
K-12 School Tour
Throughout the academic year, Arcosanti welcomes student groups in grades K-12 to experience the project first-hand through a brief tour of its architecture and grounds and thoughtfully planned activities. Enhanced with pre- and post-tour classroom materials developed by master educators, this tour experience geared toward students enriches academics through connections to STEAM areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Start times: Contact us to schedule your school tour.
Tour Fee: $12/per student, teacher, and chaperone
Architectural Insights Tour
This behind-the-scenes Architectural Tour is led by Tomiaki Tamura, Arcosanti resident, a long-term architectural assistant to Paolo Soleri, having first-hand experience in planning and building the distinctive architecture of Arcosanti. From an expansive explanation of how the same earth-casting technique used to make Ceramic Windbells influenced the unique way the buildings at Arcosanti were constructed, to an innovative spatial arrangement focusing on passive heating and cooling via creating microclimates, effective daylighting and acoustics. The tour also shares a basic understanding of Arcology, an urban development concept, evident in Arcosanti’s mixed-use spaces.
*Maximum of 10 participants
Duration: 1.5 hours
Start times: |10:00AM-11:30AM | Jan 30, Feb 13, Feb 27, Mar 13, Mar 27, Apr 10, Apr 24.
Tour Fee: $30
Inside The Paolo Soleri Archives at Arcosanti Tour
Led by the Director of the Archives, the Arcosanti Archives Tour is an insightful exploration into the art and ideas of the theoretical architect, Paolo Soleri. Focusing on models, sketches, photographs, and journals from those who built Arcosanti over its 50 years, this enriching tour provides a look into the past as well as the future. Through virtual reality technology, many original Soleri sketches are “brought to life” and give participants on this tour amazing access to the creative brilliance of groundbreaking and complex arcology concepts that predicted a radical reimagining of what cities of today could have become.
*Maximum of 6 participants
Duration: 1.5 hours
Start times: Look for Upcoming Tour Dates in Early Spring 2021
Tour Fee: $30
Sustainable Arcosanti Tour
At Arcosanti, sustainable technology solutions combine elements of design and creativity in the use of available resources to achieve inventive urban design solutions. During this in-depth tour of Arcosanti’s sustainable systems, participants will learn about construction techniques, mechanical system efficiencies, and natural resource utilization developed for this unique urban prototype. Led by Scott Riley, who has participated in the design, installation, and operation of solar-powered pumping stations, gravity-fed irrigation systems, a technologically-sophisticated grey water system, and an efficient hydronic heating system, participants on this tour will gain a greater understanding of the smart operating systems that make Arcosanti run.
*Maximum of 10 participants
Duration: 1.5 hours
Start times: Look for Upcoming Tour Dates in Early Spring 2021
Tour Fee: $30
Visitors are not permitted to explore the grounds and architecture of Arcosanti unaccompanied. The Visitors Center, Cafe gathering space, and Windbell Gallery are the exceptions and are accessible to visitors who do not wish to take the guided tour.
Those visitors taking the guided tour will be asked to sign a Release Form prior to their tour.
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