Arcosanti, Experimental urban laboratory in Mayer, United States
Arcosanti is an experimental community project in Mayer, Arizona, working on compact living forms since the 1970s. The structures rise as multi-story concrete forms from the desert floor, uniting living, working, and communal spaces under shared roofs.
The Italian architect began work at this site in 1970, developing an urban concept linking buildings and environment in dense forms. The first construction phases were built in communal work with visitors who helped in exchange for lodging and instruction.
The settlement takes its name from a blend of architecture and the Italian word for things, symbolizing the fusion of design and matter. Visitors can watch artisans cast bronze bells in sand molds within the workshops, a craft practiced here since the founding.
A visit works best during cooler morning or evening hours, as midday desert sun can be intense. Most areas are reachable on foot, with sturdy shoes recommended for uneven paths.
Many rooms have no right angles and instead follow rounded or sloping lines that recall natural caves. The large concrete surfaces are often punctured by circular openings that guide shadow and light into unusual patterns.
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