April 22, 2005
Visitors to Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti beware — the experience has changed lives.
"My dream of becoming a regular architect was derailed," says Tomiaki Tamura, a special project coordinator at Arcosanti.
"Soleri’s macro view of the world definitely opened my eyes."
Tamura discovered Soleri’s vision during a visit to Cosanti, the Italian architect’s Scottsdale studio, in 1975.
Soleri’s fusion of architecture and ecology not only broadened Tamura’s worldview, but also those of thousands who’ve seen his work.
Soleri is set to reveal another urban vision — "SOLARE: The Lean Linear City." The unveiling will take place Saturday at Arcosanti, Soleri’s experimental city 65 miles north of Phoenix.
SOLARE is an urban development plan created for emerging industrial nations such as India and China.
Those nations "are pretty much following the Western paradigm of industrialization," says Tamura. "Instead of spreading out in every direction like Phoenix and Tucson, Paolo is presenting this linear logistical way of growing the city."
Soleri’s design calls for upward growth with buildings ranging from 20 to 100 stories. The linear city is pedestrian-friendly and includes mass transit.
The unveiling will be an all-day event complete with a tour of Arcosanti. Sanchita Bhattacharya will hold a workshop on Indian dance in the morning, and musicians will play in the afternoon.
‘SOLARE: The Lean Linear City’
What: Presentation of Paolo Soleri design and a celebration of Indian culture
When: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Arcosanti is 2 1 /2 miles northeast of Cordes Junction
Cost: $45 all-day pass includes meals and access to all events. Individual events are priced as follows: $20 morning workshop, $15 afternoon concert, $15 lunch and $10 buffet dinner.
Information: Reservations required. Call (928) 632-6217 or visit www.arcosanti.org.
