Cosanti House - Interior

Arcology is a philosophy created by Soleri that is defined as the place where ecology and architecture meet. Arcosanti, an urban laboratory, constructed in the Arizona high desert was created to test and demonstrate an alternate human habitat. Although the Cosanti complex is not part of the Arcosanti, it still embodies the spirit of arcology.

Many of the structures at Cosanti have been placed underground and surrounded by earth mounds, to insulate the interior spaces year around. Soleri also designed south-facingapses (partial domes) situated as passive energy collectors, accepting the light and heat of the lower winter sun and creating shade from the higher summer sun.