Paolo Soleri

A noted architect, urban planner, and artist, Paolo Soleri (1919-2013) was best known for Arcosanti, a planned community about 70 miles north of Phoenix.  A native of Turin, Italy, he earned a Ph.D. in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Turin in 1947 and apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in Arizona and Taliesin in Wisconsin.  In 1965, Soleri established the educational non-profit Cosanti Foundation in the Scottsdale-Paradise Valley area north of Phoenix to develop his architectural and urban planning theories, in particular the concept of “arcology,” architecture coherent with ecology. 

Arcology as envisioned by Soleri included dense urban development designed to maximize human interaction and access to infrastructural services, conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and foster interaction with the surrounding natural environment.  Soleri was also a lecturer in the College of Architecture at Arizona State University, a National Design Award recipient, and the author of six books and numerous essays.

This collection originated in 1972 with a grant given to Professor Jeffrey Cook of the ASU College of Architecture to preserve materials about Paolo Soleri. It includes audiovisual materials, slides, photographs, ephemera, drawings, and newspaper clippings.  The audiovisual materials in the collection document construction and other activities at Arcosanti as well as in-depth discussion and analysis of Soleri’s architectural concepts and philosophy. The slides in the collection document buildings designed by Paolo Soleri and also include pictures of Paolo and Colly Soleri, activities and buildings at Cosanti and Arcosanti, and architectural models, drawings, and designs by Soleri.

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Lecture by Paolo Soleri at the College of Architecture, Arizona State University, Part 1

ContributorsArizona State University (Contributor) / Soleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
Created1977-04-12
DescriptionLecture and slide show commentary by Soleri, in which he discusses his architectural experiences, theories, and the development and implementation of his designs at Arcosanti. Soleri also answers questions from the audience.

Lecture by Paolo Soleri at the College of Architecture, Arizona State University, Part 2

ContributorsArizona State University (Contributor) / Soleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
Created1977-04-12
DescriptionContinuation of lecture and slide show commentary by Soleri, in which he discusses his architectural experiences, theories, and the development and implementation of his designs at Arcosanti. Soleri also answers questions from the audience.

Symposium with Paolo Soleri and others

ContributorsLindover, Sally (Contributor)
Description

Discussion with Soleri and others on the concepts developed at Arcosanti and their relevance to other places, fields of study, and societies.

Symposium with Paolo Soleri and others

ContributorsLindover, Sally (Contributor)
Description

Discussion with Soleri and others on the concepts developed at Arsosanti and their relevance to other places, fields of study, and societies.

Stephen Hill interviews Paolo Soleri and Jack Blackwell

ContributorsKQED (Contributor) / Soleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
Created1977-03
DescriptionStephen Hill interviews Paolo Soleri and Jack Blackwell, director of educational programs at Arcosanti, on radio station KQED, San Francisco. Soleri discusses his architectural philosophies, methodologies, and experiences. Blackwell discusses his experiences working at Arcosanti for six seasons.

Interview with Arcosanti staff members

ContributorsKDKB (Contributor) / Blokker, Sue (Contributor)
Created1977-09-14
DescriptionMark Nicannon and Frank Worlick interviewing Arcosanti staff members Sue Blokker and Banks Upshaw on the program Forum on radio station KDKB, Phoenix. Blokker and Upshaw discuss their experiences at Arcosanti and Paolo Soleri's architectural and urban planning theories and designs. They also discuss the upcoming Arcosanti Festival.

Mike Goodwin interviews Paolo Soleri

ContributorsKDKB (Contributor) / Soleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
DescriptionMike Goodwin interviewing Paolo Soleri at Cosanti about his architectural theories and designs for a radio broadcast on KDKB, Phoenix.

Lecture and slide show by Paolo Soleri, Part 1

ContributorsArizona State University (Contributor) / Soleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
Created1971-12-17
DescriptionLecture, slide presentation, and discussion at Neeb Hall, Arizona State University to AP 312 class. Soleri discusses his architectural theories and work at Cosanti and Arcosanti.

Lecture and slide show by Paolo Soleri, Part 2

ContributorsArizona State University (Contributor) / Soleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
Created1971-12-17
DescriptionContinuation of lecture, slide presentation, and discussion at Neeb Hall, Arizona State University to AP 312 class. Soleri discusses his architectural theories and work at Cosanti and Arcosanti.

William E. Thompson, Mel Roman, and Harvey Cox speak at Arcosanti

ContributorsSoleri, Paolo, 1919-2013 (Contributor)
Created1973-10-22
DescriptionWilliam E. Thompson (cultural historian), Harvey Cox (theologian), and Mel Roman (psychiatrist), disuss their personal experiences and trends in their fields and relate them to the ideas of Paolo Soleri as reflected at Arcosanti. Paolo Soleri introduces the three speakers.