Paolo Soleri,a Visionary Architect and renaissance thinker, was born on this date in 1919 in Turin, Italy.
He is best known for "Arcology," an urban theory based on the synthesis of architecture and ecology. This concept advocates cities designed to maximize the interaction and accessibility associated with an urban environment, while minimizing the use of energy, raw materials, and land.
Arcosanti (below), was a prototype town designed for 5,000 people based on Soleri's arcology theory.
He was committed to this vision his entire career. For over 50 years he designed and sold "Soleri Bells," unique cast-bronze wind-bells prized for their pure tone, to finance Arcosanti.
The Arcosanti project continues as students from all over the world attend 5 week workshops constructing buildings in Soleri's vision.
(Soleri was inspired by his fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright (from 1947-1949) working at
Taliesin East in Wisconsin and Taliesin West in Arizona. During this time he gained international recognition for his bridge design now displayed at the Museum of Modern Art.)
Soleri died in 2013 at the age of 93.
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