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uzair
Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Arcosanti
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 Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 6:35 pm Post subject: Arcosanti, An Urban Laboratory. |
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Since 1970 over 5,000 people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines have helped Paolo Soleri by participating in the Arcosanti Workshop Program in effort to build the world's first prototype Arcology (Architecture + Ecology).
Arcology is Paolo Soleri's concept of cities which embody the fusion of architecture with ecology. The arcology concept proposes a highly integrated and compact three-dimensional urban form that is the opposite of urban sprawl with its inherently wasteful consumption of land, energy and time, tending to isolate people from each other and the community. The complexification and miniaturization of the city enables radical conservation of land, energy and resources.
Keeping the state of many developing countries in mind, economically, climatically and socially would such a radical idea be wise to implement in the third world. Seeing how many times in this part of the world we have food shortages and drought, does it not make sense to shift cities to barren land and keep fertile ground for much needed agricultural output.
It would be interesting to hear peoples views on these theories and the project arcosanti.
visit the website for more info
http://www.arcosanti.org
Workshop Start Dates for 2004
June 20, July 25, Aug 29, Oct 3, Nov 7
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JWmHarmon
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 112
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 8:16 am Post subject: |
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You state that "Arcology is Paolo Soleri's concept of cities which embody the fusion of architecture with ecology. "
I read an article recently (don't remember where) that it would be impossible for the underdeveloped countries to match the United States and Europe in their access to consumer goods. The main point was that China, India, and other developing economies would siphon off all available resources as they continue to emulate the USA and European countries. The article stated that we would run out of resources.
My first reaction to the article was that we will never run out of resources. We need only to develop products, including architectural products that are designed with continual recycling in mind. If we continually recycle, then we will continually have materials available and will never run out. We need, as Buckminster Fuller stated, only the input of energy to transform what we already have.
In the State of Ohio we are undergoing a multi-year school building program. Old buildings are being torn down and hauled off to the nearby (or distant) landfill. What a waste!
I suggest that we need talented people who read the posts in this forum to come up with strategies to move away from the use-it-up-then-throw-it-away method of designing products and buildings. We should be moving towards a philosophy that says we will put our emphasis on TOTAL recycling. Every product, every building, everywhere, should be designed to reflect this philosophy and should include instructions for how the product will be recycled at the end of its useful life.
What would you recommend to the future owners of your building as a way of recycling the components used in its construction? How does this tie in with the Arcosanti philosophy? Are we being responsible if we squander our resources? How can we make the transition to a more efficient use of our resources? How can we better design our buildings for their eventual recycling? |
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uzair
Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Arcosanti
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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| i think thats where the difference lies. soleri is tackling the problem, before there is a problem. by thinking of the city in 3d, and compacting it you do get rid of most of the pollution and waste, you lower energy costs and dont depend of the automobile. what you are saying is true that we can keep recycling, but thats not a solution, its just one way of dealing with a problem and not finishing it. |
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