Soleri Bridge and Sun Circle

Owner: City of Scottsdale
Architect: Paolo Soleri
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Cost: $3.5M

This 100 ft long bridge will connect Scottsdale Fashion Square and the Waterfront shops to the various retail and dining establishments at Southbridge and the Gallery districts south of the Arizona Canal.  Providing additional access across the canal, the pedestrian-only bridge provides a scenic view point over the 60 foot wide water conveyance channel, and includes a 22,000 sf plaza. In addition to allowing important regular canal maintenance activities, the plaza design fully incorporates the Sun Circle Trail through the site, for contiguous horseback passage on the historic, 18 mile regional trail. This long awaited project is the only bridge to be constructed by internationally acclaimed architect Paolo Soleri, who established the famous Arcosanti, a prototype arcology and urban laboratory under construction in central Arizona for the past 38 years.  Arcosanti represents Soleri's comprehensive and holistic approach to "green" and the challenge of sustainability, blending architecture with ecology.