Cosanti

Paolo Soleri moved from Italy in 1947 to Scottsdale [1] for a fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West [2]. More than a half century later, Soleri has emerged as one of the region’s most innovative architects, with an organic style that merges Wright’s aesthetics with Native American influences.

Cosanti (6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., 480/948-6145, www.cosanti.com [3], 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun., free) serves as Soleri’s gallery, studio, and home, and reflects many of his theories on environmentally responsible design. The small village includes his original subterranean “Earth House,” outdoor studios, student dorms, and a performance space, set amidst terraced courtyards and shaded paths.

Much of Soleri’s Arcosanti [4], an experimental artists’ community 70 miles north of Phoenix [5], is funded by the sale of his “windbells.” These metal and ceramic wind chimes, which start at $25, are designed and forged at Cosanti’s on-site foundry and ceramics studio. The bronze casting process can be viewed weekday mornings.