The Vision:
Arcosanti was envisioned as something very different than Cosanti, its predecessor. While Cosanti was basically an apprenticeship program that was the result of Soleri's inspiration from being at Tallesin West, Arcosanti was to be a living and working model of his evolving Arcology Manifesto.
In this way it would to encourage the concept of Arcology into practical realization that could enable wider dissemination in the larger society to address many of the issues talked about as the serious problems facing humanity's future. Soleri's architectural focus meant that he saw architecture as the primary way to instill in a society a social ethos that is more conscious of the earth.
The Reality:
Arcosanti over the years has evolved driven by a vision of making Arcosanti the World's First Prototype Arcology. The architecture at Arcosanti is the container for what Soleri termed the Urban Effect - that is this idea of living in intense urban environment. So the site shows signs of various architectural techniques to encourage cultural sharing and expression.
Core Site Architectural Components:
Aspe Effect Integrated into Buildings - Featured in two of the earlier building the Ceramics and Foundry Apses, it includes a solar orientation that may have some passive solar benefits. However these appear negligible with the major benefit being the aesthetic effect of the design on visitors.
Circle within a Square Panels - A trademark of Soleri's Arcology design theme is the addition of circle shaped windows to break up linear designs. Camp in particular features and distinguished by these distinct but simple design elements.
Silt Cast Panels - This was a technique Soleri refined over the years and incorporated into nearly every room at Arcosanti
Pedestrian Orientation - A major element of the design process was to make the entire project accessible to pedestrians as one easily attainable principle of Arcology.
Use of Concrete Highlights Urban Theme - Heavy use of concrete and juxtaposition between plain grey concrete construction and silt cast texturing
Accessible Rooflines - often laid with concrete pavers many of the rooflines are accessible to residents and visitors. Not much done with Green Roofs though only the occasional planting bed.
Heat Duct Tunnel - Running underneath East Crescent and SOD Buildings, its intended to eventually using surplus heat from Energy Apron Greenhouse to East Crescent and SOD as a passive heating system. Currently its used for rainwater collection and as a chase for utilities.
Main Buildings/Built Environments:
Welcome Center & Food - The idea of Crafts III is to combine the Welcome Center Gift Shop Gallery with the Cafeteria the idea being that it services both residents and visitors. This includes some living spaces on the lower level of the facility.
The Apses - Ceramics and Foundry Apses feature a very similar design with Foundry apse a larger diameter with two small residential family sized units build into the upper level. The feature some of the intricate and inspirational architecture designs on site and are major tourist draw. They also include the main economic engine for Arcosanti as the facilities for the production of ceramic and bronze bells.
Vaults - A unique space that offers some shelter from the intense sun as well as occasional storms. Its a multi-purpose space for meetings, parties and events. This includes the regular Morning Meeting in which community members can share relevant information and concerns with each other. Has an accessible roof that which is one of the highest elevations on site. Thus its become a distinguishing part of the site that is great for social gatherings, viewing the surrounding scenery from a panaromic view, star gazing and sunsets.
Lab Building - This is the main workspace and fabrication facility. The clothesline is on the roof.
East Cresent - Build around the Amphi-theatre, its the main residential area onsite. The three main purposes of the building are residential units on the second and third levels, Workshop Dorms on the second level of the new phase 5 section and commercial and community service spaces on the first level.
Amphi-theatre - Designed as the cultural center it features an unique space for open air fair weather events.
SOD Building - The name in the form of an acronym - SOD - explains its original intent (Soleri, Office and Drafting) with Soleri' residence at top level, Cosanti Foundation office in middle level and Drafting on bottom. This has changed a bit with time, with the office remaining in the middle, drafting was moved to the office, with that space becoming the Red Room (multipurpose space for meetings, classes, parties and presentations) and President Stein moving into the Soleri Residence after Soleri's retirement from the presidency.
Camp - Soleri intended this to be a temporary habitat for the community as it rapidly built Arcosanti on the top of the mesa. It was rapidly built using the modular circle within a square panels. Things went slower than expected and when the opportunity to raze this part of the project, it has become an integral and historic part of the project.
Long Term Planning:
While not considering Arcosanti an Arcology, he saw a Critical Mass phase in which a larger more Arcology like series of designs would begin to emerge and then later the full realization of the project which he called Arcosanti 5000 and which include several very large and ambitious Arcology-like buildings.