Page 11 - C.A.L.L. #22 - Fall 2003

When designing the structure itself - was there a interaction which will create more "culture" let's
discussion about balance between private space and
public space? What about the needs of the
occupants?
In the Arcology design concept it is important
to balance public and private space. For most of the
apartments I believe the balance is struck quite well.
For example my apartment is right off the
amphitheater, but during concerts there can be a
crowd of people right outside my place by my
apartment still feels secluded, but walk ten feet and
I'm at a jazz festival. Acoustics is the main
oversight for the interaction of people and
architecture. Living off an amphitheater is great for
a concert, horrible when someone tells a knee
slapping joke at eleven o'clock and wakes up half of
site.
Paolo criticizes Arcosanti right now as being too
small for anonymity, which he believes is highly
important to a private/public life, alas that's a
function of size, when we get bigger we can have
anonymity.
I'm still having difficulty understanding that the focus
here is the building itself and not the social
interactions between people.
Without buildings where would those people live?
Surely the building is only a tool to cater for both
the environmental consequences of urban sprawl/the
environment and the needs of the community?
Yes the building is a tool for that, and that is
the point of Arcosanti as a "prototype" Arcology, to
try and develop a model for a better tool. That
"tool" will also affect the society within.
Paolo defines a concept called the "Urban
Effect". Simply put this is what happens when
elements of a system come together in greater
densities and begin working together. The current
sprawl city is pulling apart the Urban Effect, you
stay in your house then jump in your car then get
to your destination spend money and go away. Less
density creates less social interaction, conversely a
higher density creates a higher level social
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say.
You specifically state that you are not an
intentional community? Is that because you don't
want to be labeled as such? What is your definition
of intentional community that enables you to state
that this is not what you are?
Arcosanti is an architecture project. I state
the intentional community perspective because many
people do arrive here with the preconceived notions
of 'intentional community' and not the perspective
that Arcosanti is a project of the Cosanti
Foundation dedicated to building a working model of
a new urban design.
Of course the resident population (about 80)
constitutes a community, and most people who
come here enjoy or stay for the community and
social aspects.
Personally I like to refer to the resident
population as a micro- or proto- culture. Also I
prefer to think of Arcosanti as an Urban Center
rather than a 'community', to me the difference
there is that an 'urban center' is composed of
communities, and more open to the general public.
'Community' often involves what I call social mono-
culturing i.e 'we are a vegetarian community' or a
'spiritual community' or some such. Communities
focus around a central social tenet and are
generally unaccepting of those who do not conform
to a set belief system. That is fine, birds of a
feather and all, but an Urban Center is open to a
diversity.
I cannot stop polluters,
but I can clean up my own back yard.
I cannot stop bigotry,
but my family can be of many colors.
I cannot tell others not to over consume,
but I can avoid the Wal-mart parking lot.
I cannot stop others from being inhumane,
but I can treat those I meet with kindness.
I cannot stop wars,
but I can live peacefully.
I cannot guarantee the survival of humanity
nor produce a new culture for mass consumption,
but I can live a full and rewarding life among others
who would simply choose to do the same.
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