arcosanti

Have visited twice now and the projected is dated, worn down and in need of repair. The architecture was modernistic for when it was created decades ago, but not now... however the visit is interesting just because the concept is novel and ongoing. Only 5 min off the freeway although about 2 miles on a dirt road. Cafeteria is excellent..and the highlight is the bells, which are unique, make excellent gifts and are reasonably priced.

I am an architecture buff and wanted to come see what one of the most famous students of FLW had built. We arrived an hour before the tour began and opted to have lunch in the cafe. The food was decent and cheap. I really didn't go for the food though. You start your tour by watching a video of his vision for the future of the project, this was a pretty spectacular man by all accounts. Unfortunately, his idea never really came to fruition before he died. The tour was 30 minutes long, there wasn't anything there that I really came home thinking I am so glad I got the opportunity to see this. Actually, the most amazing part of the trip was seeing the famous wind chimes. They are very expensive though so bring your pocketbook. Overall it was something out of the ordinary to do and it's a one time trip.

Was there on a road trip and stopped by because it was on my way. The place is sort of an acquired taste. I think the concept of Paolo Soleri is very urban and contemporary but what it sort of has turned into is a land for the environmentally friendly hippie-type. This place is more for those "eastern spiritual" type people than the modern architecture loving, touristy families.I personally felt a lot of connection to it and would like to rate it a 5, but I know it's a very acquired taste so I will rate it a four.

Arcosanti's brochure looked interesting. So did the documentary "The Vision of Paolo Soleri: Prophet in the Desert" (2013) that I recently saw at an independent movie theatre. If you are into architecture and/or ecology and maybe into communal living, then Paolo Soleri's compact city design project, know as an urban laboratory, may be your thing. Soleri's idea of a community for 5,000 people began in 1970 with a group of his followers and volunteers. Today visitors cannot walk the grounds but need to pay for a tour guide ($10 each) since some of the property is under reconstruction and after 40 some years this is expected. Also, the volunteers who work on the lab live in small apartments on the grounds so guests need to be guided around the private areas.We drove a rental car from Interstate 17 and were concerned that the long unpaved road to Arcosanti with loose flying stones would damage the rental car. We arrived at lunch hour so we were able to purchase from a limited menu in the café and eat where the workers and volunteers eat. Bring a water bottle, sun screen, and a hat...and your charge card since the Soleri wind bells are expensive. I did buy a medium size bell that was $94 and also the tour tickets so we did our share to keep the place going financially. Apparently the place needs funding to keep up the repairs and expand.Soleri's vision was a community for 5,000 people who live, work, visit, and participate in educational and cultural programs. All this in the middle of the desert. I cannot say it would interest me or my husband...now or at anytime of our life. We can now say we visited Arcosanti and we have no need to return in the future. Once is enough.

My main goal for visiting Arcosanti was to purchase a bell. Several of my family members received one of the handcrafted bronze bells made at Arcosanti for Christmas and I wanted one to take home. It was a very easy, well marked place to find off the highway and short walk to the visitor center from the parking area. Once I found my perfect bell, we decided to take the $10 each tour of the facility to learn more about these amazing buildings. Our tour guide was very nice and informative explaining the passive heating and cooling techniques of the buildings' design. The goal of Arcosanti is to explore the concept of arcology, which combines architecture and ecology. The concept was fascinating although I do not see myself living there. I did feel a little uncomfortable touring the area people live. I also felt a touch of sadness the buildings appeared old, deteriorating and lacking the grandeur they once possessed. Our hour long tour was at 11 so when finished the cafe was open serving lunch. We didn't stay to eat. You are welcomed to walk around the common areas on your own. There is also a trail down the canyon you can get an overall view of the facilities. While I found this a great learning experience I think my husband and teens were a bit bored; I wouldn't recommend this for families with small children.

I'm sure that at some point in time this was a cool place but it is well worn and definitely a work in progress. To get to the room we had to navigate around sidewalk construction, stair rail construction, and figure out how to navigate the maze of buildings. Glad I went but will not go back.

Arcosanti is an experimental town and molten bronze bell casting community in Yavapai County, central Arizona, 70 mi north of Phoenix.A dozen-odd concrete structures in the Arizona desert represent the '70s vision of a city in harmony with the natural world. The dreams Of architect Paolo Soleri. Tours of the premises are available.Unfortunately it is not for the physically challenged and with two bad knees it was too difficult for me too tour the premises.The Arcosanti Windbell Studio was wonderful filled with bronze and ceramic bells and wind chimes, each with a different sound.I felt like I was in a different century.

Built as an urban experiential in the desert capitalizing on the ecology and architecture adapted to a nearly barren landscape , this odd melange of cement buildings and desert based agriculture was the dream of architect Paolo Soleri and his wife. Built by students and apprentices, it's very rough but created with angles and shapes that use the space wisely. It's not very well kept. Soleri died in 2013 and it's not clear that there is visionary direction. The wind bells made on the premises are wonderful and a visit here is worth it if you love architecture. A bit hippy- like. I enjoy it. Not for the physically challenged. A good stop if you're visiting the ruins in the area or headed from Phoenix to Sedona. Hard to see it will endure. You can have lunch in their cafeteria.

I took an afternoon tour of the Arcosanti site and quite enjoyed it. Many of the negative reviews either stayed the night (which I did not) or seemed to miss the point that Arcosanti is very much an experiment - and one that is in progress at that. My tour guide, a second-generation resident, did a very nice job answering all my questions, explaining Soleri's urban design concepts upon which Arcosanti was built, and explaining some of the ingenious ways in which the design takes advantage of the environment to provide heating and insulation in the often extreme temperatures in Arizona. If you are interested, I would recommend a morning tour, so you can see the bronze bells and windchimes being cast. It's also worth noting that there was a noticeable amount of construction going on.

Why would you return to this place three times? If you love out of the box thinking, love a great lunch, all you can eat for $9.00 on your way to Sedona from PHX, if you love historical architecture. Although, 3 times is enough. In the past I have even stayed in the sky suite and sold a painting created from a new year's sunset.I think other folks have provided a good dissertation on why you might love this place so, either your down with it or you are not.

Had a wonderful lunch. Great flavors in all the food. Tour most interesting. Neat to see the upgrades and continue work being done. Nice to give opportunity to artist and etc. Work shops, classes and performances.

We stopped for a visit on our way north and really enjoyed our visit. Seeing this for what it is, a work in progress and an experiment it really is a cool concept. It is very unique setting and wonderfully sited to take advantage of passive solar in the winter months. The tour guide was very informative and engaging and eager to show us around. We did a small hike on the cliff across the creek bed and got a great view of the complex in its entirety. Also, if you have the chance spend the time and have a meal. The food was fresh, veggie loaded and extremely inexpensive.

Been driving past this place for years and finally decided to spend a night there. We took the tour, then checked into our room--the sky suite. At 100 bucks a night, a full apartment was worth it, at first. As the full moon rose, some locals played pink Floyd over the loud speakers. Was a beautiful night. We left invigorated and empowered from the site. A few days later after being home, I had some suspect bites. I called arcosanti and the only person who would talk to me was the person answering the phones. I could not get anyone from "guest services" to return my calls, I even went so far as to ask the front desk to write a physical note to them. I was hoping I could get some assistance in this matter, instead all I can do is write a review of the dissatisfaction. I loved my time there, however the hitchhikers and $800 extermination bill has left a bad taste in my mouth.

The design and concept may have been cutting edge and noteworthy 40 years ago but now it is just old and in need of maintenance. We stayed 15 minutes and that was enough. I had considered booking a room for a night. So glad I did not.

I have wanted to visit Arcosanti since I studied about architecture for my art degree.First, I have read many unkind reviews here which I think are a shame. Anyone visiting thissite expecting it to compare to other tourist attractions has already missed the point. A future as sustainable and workable as Soleri envisioned it will require (us) (those hoping to survive the coming austerity of the future) to revamp expectations, learn cooperation, tolerance, and coalition with others in a common interest-based society. Soleri achieved many of his architectural goals within Arcosanti. Worthy of studying is the use of passive solar heat from the orientation of the buildings to the southern exposure, and likewise, the efficient direction of breezes that cool within the large, organically shaped structures.Sad that Soleri died not having seen his vision realized on the scale which I feel it is sure to bein the future, through those whose necessity forces them to realize that Soleri's ideas are veryinsightful, and likely to be replicated on a large, universal scale.I was moved by the vision of life in such an environment in another time, perhaps one in which humans evolve a more grateful response to the natural gifts of nature and human ingenuity.