And day 1 of the wish list.

If you’re an architecture, art, and sustainability enthusiast in Arizona, you’re probably familiar with Paolo Soleri, an Italian-American architect well known for his thoughts on sustainable urban growth. Deemed arcology (architecture + ecology), the goal is a hyperdense city that facilitates human interaction, optimizes access to shared infrastructure, minimizes use of valuable resources, reduces waste and pollution, and encourages interaction with the natural environment. Arcosanti, located 70 miles north of Phoenix, is the living labortory for Soleri’s explorations of an arcology for the high desert.

Perhaps lesser well known are Soleri’s ceramic and bronze windbells. I’m partial to the bronze windbells. They are moldcast, but each is truly unique in their burnishes and patinas.

Soleri windbells at Arcosanti, by aelfscine

The smaller, simpler bells are priced as low as the mid $20s, and there are quite a few bells under $100. There are also cause bells whose designs reflect any one of a number of local or global concerns, including wildlife preservation, hunger, and literacy. Proceeds from all bells support the continued construction and programming at Arcosanti.

You can buy the windbells at Arcosanti and Cosanti (6433 E Doubletree Ranch Rd in Paradise Valley), as well as local shops and retailers. Last year at this time, I purchased one a patina bronze bell for my parents at the Phoenix Art Museum store.

Soleri windbell, by drogi1