Architecture is an earth science, which is why the brown tassel is moved to the left when we graduate from our professional program. Beginning with a world view grounded in the earth, my early study of arcology and experience in my Arcosanti workshop led to a greater understanding of the natural processes involved with the built environment. For example, climbing through and experiencing the natural sepulchres that are created where landforms and water meet in the Grand Canyon and Colorado River go far beyond academics and theory. This subjectivity of place and form is part of the "haptic" sense of space that generates our world view and the understandings that we have. So it's a key part of creating spaces that are not just sustainable, but give rich meaning to experience.
Climbing the canyon and river walls takes one back to the fundamentals of living in and understanding the natural world that all people originate from. How does the space and light make you feel, and how does one get from one place to another? What's the purpose and the need being served? How do these places exist in form and energy, what generates them in natures' profoundly efficient method of unfolding form?
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