Buon compleanno (Happy Birthday) Signore Soleri. On June 21, Paolo Soleri, an author, architect, artist and eco-friendly pioneer of Arcosanti, will be celebrating this 90th birthday right here at home in the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Signore Soleri was born in Torino (Turin) Italy in 1919 where he studied and became an architect completing his Ph.D. in 1946.He came to the U.S. at the age of 28 where he worked in a fellowship with world reknown Arizona architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Later on he fulfilled his dream of creating a nonprofit to study and develop urban sustainable communities. Signore Soleri launched his urban project which maximizes natural resources in concert with our natural environment. The prototype town is called "Arcosanti" http://www.arcosanti.org/ and located near Cordes Junction, Arizona.
And if you have never heard of a "Soleri" Bell than you must come to Arizona to see his studio located in Paradise Valley. You can tour the studio and watch the artistic craftsmanship and workmanship of authentic italian crafted "Soleri Bells". To read and order your Soleri Bell visit http://www.cosanti.com/. The Earth Cause Bell is my favorite, yes I own one, and is truly an exquisite work of art.
Come celebrate with us (a free event!) on Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. in downtown Scottsdale when the Paradise Valley Town Council will honor Signore Soleri with a proclamation. There will be artists renderings of the Soleri Pedestrain Bridge showing how the supsension bridge will connect the Scottsdale Waterfront with the retail shops on the south side of the Arizona Canal. The bridge is the first to be constructed by Signore Soleri and slated to open by Spring 2010. Truly an example of All Things Italian.