Esoteric Survey

The Dome House, 1949, in Cave Creek Arizona, by Paolo Soleri and Mark Mills. Both were former apprentices under  Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West.  The house was commissioned by Lenora Woods. The story  goes that after the house was finished Mills got to keep the tools and Soleri got the client's daughter.   Paolo and Lenora Woods' daughter Colly were married from 1949 until her passing in 1982.
It looks very FLW from this angle.


Photo: Julius Shulman
Photo: Julius Shulman
Photo: Julius Shulman
Photo: Julius Shulman
Photo: Julius Shulman

Paolo in his office. Source: Life Magazine, 1966
The Cosanti office today


Now that's a doorknob.

My friend Daniel at Cosanti gave me a little behind the scenes tour. 
The office is filled with some great examples of sculpture by Soleri.
I want one of these!
Styrofoam sculpture forms under an array of cause bells.  

Cosanti is located in Paradise Valley, just outside of Scottsdale, Arizona. Paolo Soleri started working on his earthcasting buildings at Cosanti in the mid 1950s.
The North Apse (1964)
The bell / lamp hanging from the North Apse.
The Ceramics Studio (1958) The building in the background with the round windows is Soleri's drafting studio, now the Cosanti office. (1959).
Paolo working at the ceramics studio Source: Life Magazine, 1966
Ceramics Studio dome.


There are some nice old bells in there.
Pool and Canopy, 1966 This is where Paolo takes his morning swims, though I was told that he doesn't go in the winter anymore. He believes the morning swims are good for his health.  At 93, there must be something to it.  


Cat-Cast House (1965) door.
Cat-Cast House (1965) with an incredible special assembly bell.
South Courtyard Apse (1965)