Cosanti is a historic site in Arizona designed by world-renowned architect Paolo Soleri, with terraced landscaping and experimental earth-formed concrete structures. Organic structures rise from the Arizona desert to immerse visitors in a creative, meditative experience. Windbell Gallery houses an impressive collection of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bells. Guests can take tours of the property seven days a week.
History
Cosanti is the Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri's gallery and studio, which he called home until he died in 2013. It is now a public Arizona Historic Site in Paradise Valley, Arizona, USA. Cosanti is distinguished by its terraced landscaping, experimental earth-formed concrete structures, and sculptural wind bells. Soleri and his wife Colly settled on a five-acre plot near Taliesin West, where Soleri had studied under Frank Lloyd Wright in her past. It was built on the outskirts of Scottsdale and is now surrounded by a prosperous suburban neighborhood. Scottsdale transportation guide Phoenix to Scottsdale travel
In 1970, Soleri outgrew the location. By combining architecture and ecology, he coined the term "arcology" then founded Arcosanti, an "urban laboratory" seventy miles north. Cosanti became the headquarters and namesake of Soleri's foundation as students, and the frontier of development relocated there. Among the structures at Cosanti are the original "Earth House," a student dormitory, outdoor studios, a performance space, a swimming pool, a gift shop, and Soleri's residence. They are all surrounded by courtyards, terraces, and garden paths. Scottsdale airport pickup
Many structures are partially underground and surrounded by earthen mounds for insulation, allowing their interior temperatures to be moderated all year. The swimming pool and several other facilities face south to take advantage of the warmth of the winter sun.
Although the concept of arcology predates Cosanti, many archaeological principles were first implemented there. The majority of the structures were built using earth-casting methods. After the concrete solidified, the earth was excavated from mounds of densely packed soil. On weekday mornings, the bronze and ceramic wind bells are also made using a modified earth casting technique at Cosanti and Arcosanti.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Cosanti on a weekend?
Yes, tours are available seven days a week.
What kind of structures can I see at Cosanti?
You can explore terraced landscaping, earth-formed concrete buildings, and sculptural wind bells.
Is the Earth House still used for student accommodation?
No, it was originally a student dormitory but is now part of the public site.
How are the structures at Cosanti insulated?
Many structures are partially underground with earthen mounds for insulation, moderating interior temperatures year-round.
Visiting Cosanti Arizona: Hours, Tours, and Directions
Cosanti is open to the public 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sundays, according to the official Cosanti Originals website (cosanti.com). Guided tours run Monday through Friday at 9:15 AM, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the bronze foundry, ceramics studio, and the earth-cast structures that make the site famous. To arrange a tour, email tours@cosanti.com and include your name and phone number; general questions can go to info@cosanti.com or 480.948.6145.
The site sits in Paradise Valley at 6433 East Doubletree Ranch Road, a location that places it within easy reach of some of the Phoenix metropolitan area's most-visited destinations. It is just a few miles from Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school, and a short drive from Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain, and the Scottsdale Fashion Square shopping district.
How to Get to Cosanti from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
Cosanti is roughly 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport under normal traffic. The most common route takes drivers north on State Route 51 (the Piestewa Freeway), exiting at Lincoln Drive, then continuing east to connection points near Camelback Road and Scottsdale Road before turning into the residential streets of Paradise Valley. Visitors coming from downtown Phoenix or Tempe can also use Loop 202 to reach SR 51. Because Cosanti is tucked inside a quiet, wealthy suburban neighborhood, parking and pickup spots are limited, which is why many travelers prefer a pre-arranged shuttle. Our Phoenix airport transportation guide covers the route options in more detail.
Cosanti vs. Arcosanti: What's the Difference?
Visitors frequently ask whether Cosanti and Arcosanti are the same place. They are not — they are two distinct sites built by the same architect, and both remain active today. In 1970, Soleri outgrew Cosanti and founded Arcosanti, his experimental "urban laboratory," on a former cattle ranch in Yavapai County about 70 miles north, near Cordes Junction off Interstate 17. Here is a side-by-side comparison to help you plan:
| Feature | Cosanti | Arcosanti |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Paradise Valley, AZ (metro Phoenix) | Yavapai County, off I-17 (~70 miles north) |
| Established | 1956 (site purchased in 1953) | 1970 |
| Purpose | Soleri's residence, studio, and bell-making gallery | Experimental city demonstrating "arcology" |
| Key Structures | Earth House, drafting studio, ceramics studio, swimming pool, gift shop | Concrete vaults, apse, residential and workshop buildings |
| Visit Time Needed | 1–2 hours | Half-day trip or longer |
If your time in the Valley is limited, Cosanti is the easier and more permanent stop, since it sits minutes from Scottsdale hotels. Arcosanti makes an excellent day trip if you're heading north toward Sedona or Camp Verde on I-17.
The Famous Windbells of Cosanti Arizona
The on-site gallery is the heart of any visit. Cosanti's bronze foundry and ceramics studio are open for tours on weekday mornings, when the famous bronze and ceramic wind bells are cast using a modified earthcasting technique — the same method Soleri pioneered to build his structures. The bells range in size from roughly 22 inches long to scales large enough to hang in a two-story foyer, and every piece is handcrafted and one of a kind. The gallery also rotates through curated collections and best-selling bell designs, so repeat visitors often find new pieces with each trip.
Even the name of the place carries a philosophy. In Italian, "Cosanti" combines the words for "object" and "before," and translates roughly to "There are things more important than objects." Fittingly, the bells sold at Cosanti fund the continuation of Soleri's architectural experiments — so a purchase here is both a keepsake and a contribution to the site's legacy.
Paolo Soleri's Legacy: From Turin, Italy to the Arizona Desert
Paolo Soleri's road to the Arizona desert began in Turin, Italy, where he completed his architectural studies before apprenticing with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West in 1946. A self-described sun-worshipper, Soleri returned to Arizona with his wife Colly, and the couple established their residence in 1956 on the five-acre Paradise Valley site, just a few miles from Taliesin West, where he had studied under Wright a decade earlier.
In 1956, Soleri designed and built his first structure on the property, the "Earth House," using an approach similar to his ceramics work: mounds of densely packed earth were shaped, concrete was poured against them, and the earth was excavated once the concrete solidified. A drafting studio attached to the old ranch house and an adjacent ceramics studio followed in 1958, both built with the same earth-casting technique. By the late 1960s Soleri was hitting his stride, and in 1970 he was invited to mount an exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., which drew blockbuster attendance — the same year he began Arcosanti.
Soleri died in 2013 at the age of 94, but Cosanti endures today as a living architecture laboratory, a working art studio, and a magnet for visitors. Many of the structures remain partially underground, insulated by earthen mounds that moderate interior temperatures year-round, and the swimming pool faces south to capture the warmth of the winter sun — passive design choices that still feel forward-thinking decades later.
What to Pair With Your Cosanti Visit
- Taliesin West (Scottsdale): Frank Lloyd Wright's desert masterpiece is minutes away; booking both in one day makes an unforgettable architecture-themed itinerary.
- Old Town Scottsdale: Galleries, restaurants, and the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall sit a short drive southeast. See our Scottsdale transportation guide for getting around.
- Camelback Mountain: The iconic Echo Canyon trailhead is nearby for hikers who want desert views before or after touring the galleries.
- Arcosanti: Continue the Soleri story with a trip up I-17 to the urban laboratory at Cordes Junction.
Because Cosanti's morning tours start at 9:15 AM, travelers arriving on early flights can go nearly straight from the airport. Pre-book a pickup with Phoenix airport pickup service to make the connection seamless, and check local events calendars before your trip — Paradise Valley and Scottsdale host seasonal art walks and festivals in January and throughout the winter months that can affect traffic around the neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosanti Arizona
Is there an admission fee for Cosanti?
Browsing the gallery and grounds is generally free for visitors; guided tours are offered Monday through Friday at 9:15 AM. Contact Cosanti directly at 480.948.6145 or tours@cosanti.com to confirm current tour availability and any associated costs.
What are Cosanti's hours of operation?
Cosanti is open 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sundays, per cosanti.com.
Where exactly is Cosanti located?
Cosanti is at 6433 East Doubletree Ranch Road in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a few miles from Taliesin West and just outside Scottsdale.
Can I watch the windbells being made?
Yes. Bronze and ceramic wind bells are cast at Cosanti on weekday mornings using a modified earthcasting technique, and the bronze foundry and ceramics studio are included in tours.
Is Cosanti still active after Paolo Soleri's death?
Yes. Soleri died in 2013 at age 94, but Cosanti continues today as a working studio, gallery, and living architecture laboratory run in connection with the Arcosanti Foundation.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Most visitors spend one to two hours exploring the terraced courtyards, studios, and bell gallery — enough time for a tour and shopping without rushing.
