Cosanti Originals in Paradise Valley, Arizona is a historic site where art, architecture, and ecology intertwine. This unique place has its roots traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when Italian-born architect, urban designer, and philosopher Paolo Soleri established it. Cosanti is home to distinctive architectural structures created through Soleri's innovative "earth-casting" technique, whereby concrete shells were formed over mounded dirt, then excavated to unveil the structure's walls and roof. These structures, embodying passive solar heating and cooling concepts, stand as a testament to Soleri's vision of "arcology" - a blend of architecture and ecology, aimed at establishing a harmonious relationship between human habitats and the natural world.

The name "Cosanti" itself reflects Soleri's ethos, combining the Italian words "Cosa" and "anti," which translate to "against things," symbolizing his stance against hyper-consumerism. The Cosanti Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Soleri and his wife, Colly, in 1965, continues to uphold these principles, promoting a lifestyle of living "more fully with less" to mitigate ecological impacts. The foundation, supported in part by the sales of handcrafted bronze and ceramic windbells created at Cosanti Originals, advocates for sustainable community formations and environmental balance, a mission growing ever pertinent in our rapidly urbanizing world.

Cosanti Originals, over 65 years, has been a hub for crafting unique ceramic bells, with the proceeds supporting the Cosanti Foundation's endeavors. The site now houses two foundries, two ceramic studios, two ceramic tile studios, and a jewelry studio, continuing the legacy of handcrafted artistry. The windbells, along with other handcrafted items like pots, planters, and jewelry, are reminiscent of Soleri's profound architectural and ecological ideology, attracting many to this cultural treasure in Paradise Valley. Visitors to Cosanti can immerse themselves in a meditative experience amidst the organic structures, terraced landscaping, and the resonating chimes of the iconic windbells, gaining insight into a visionary approach towards a balanced co-existence with nature.