Visionary architect Paolo Soleri,the Italian-born designer of the experimental Arizona city near Cordes Junction called Arcosanti, died Tuesday. He was 93.
Arcosanti officials confirmed the death in a statement.
Soleri, one of the last living direct disciples of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed a $3.5 million pedestrian bridge in Scottsdale - Soleri Bridge & Plaza, the only completed bridge of the hundreds he designed. It is located southwest of Camelback and Scottsdale roads.
— azcentral.com
9 Comments
He will be missed. I really do think he was on to something huge out there in that Arizona desert.
I agree Apurimac...A true hero. RIP
I just mentioned Soleri in relation to Glen Small's Biomorphic Biosphere blog. Soleri's Utopias aggregated closed form in contrast to Small's more open green infrastructure based utopia. Both architects were at the top of their game designing megastructures, both men seeing Nature as their model for Utopia.
Soleri came to SCI-Arc and talked and Small returned the favor going to Arcosanti bringing his class by car and van to visit Soleri. Arcosanti had an annual music festival with lighting by legendary SCI-Arc instructor Sol Golden. Small dressed up as a tree and we all wore headgear to celebrate our coming.
That year the multiday/night music fest featured Stephen Stills, Todd Rungren, laser light bouncing off mirrors placed above the amphitheater , creating a light-net. Our group won a prize, a giant Soleri cast bell that hing at SCI-Arc for years.
But it wasnt all cool. The last day a fire broke out in the Arcosanti parking area, and 100 cars were burnt. SCI-Arc students and others rushed to try and put out the fires which spread from car to car. It was smoke and panic that day.
Arcosanti had no insurance, I heard. The rock concerts were a big draw and moneymaker for the Arcosanti foundation the the events were stopped. That disaster pulled the heart out of everyone who was their and the ride home was a very quiet one.
Those times will be remembered.
eric chavkin
Wow, Eric, you were *at* that event? Legendary.
My bell has followed me through four states now. Soleri's ideas are important.
RIP bro
Arcosanti is inspiring and Soleri was a visionary in his time.
Pretty epic story Eric.
Paolo Soleri will miss to all of us and especially to whom who are involved into the evolution of the City research respecting the Nature. His works should be particularly inspiring together with the ideas of Sant’Ellia, Kenzo Tange and Yona Friedman for the sake of our lost Cities.
Thanks Apurimac and Donna. My critique of Soleri's work can be found here. Be forewarned though, it is pretty nasty...
http://www.smallatlarge.com/2013/04/biomorphic-biosphere-4-the-thrill-of-it-all/#more-979
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.