Paolo Soleri vs. Frank Lloyd Wright

For the past 2 weeks I’ve had the chance to step into the work of one of the 20th Century’s most interesting architects.  While he studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, Paolo’s ideas were inherently different from Wright’s. 

Frank Lloyd Wright's master-planned community, Broadacre Farms. 

Both were megalomaniacs as many great creators are.  However Wright’s focus on nature was meant to help people enjoy it while Paolo’s included the desire to preserve it as well.  Where Wright was opulent, Paolo was stoic.  Where Wright built out, Paolo built up.  Where Wright went rectilinear and finished, Soleri went curvilinear and earthy.  

Paolo Soleri's Arcology #12 which includes greenhouses, retail, living, and artistic spaces for a community of 5,000 people.

Soleri’s concrete form carried with them the fingerprint of how they were made - silt-cast, plywood forms, or hand placed.  He saw each element as an opportunity to showcase his style with artistic designs, simple forms, and more.