The Cosanti Foundation | Better Living through Arcology (original) (raw)
Jeffrey L. Zucker, AIA, LEED-AP, is a practicing architect and a longtime active alumnus of The Cosanti Foundation’s multi-week workshop program. He participated in his first Arcosanti workshop in 1973 and returned as a volunteer in 1974. The next four years found him in southern Ohio, constructing a cabin from mostly recycled materials for a cost of $37.47, and also building a stone house dedicated to “American energy independence.” In 1978, Jeff returned to Arcosanti where he became the construction supervisor of the Soleri Office and Drafting Unit, and then project architect of the Colly Soleri Amphitheater.
Jeff opened his own practice in Prescott, Arizona in 1986 with Tom Reilly, also an Arcosanti participant. One of their earliest commissions was the design for La Loggia, one of the potential future structures at Arcosanti, followed by the Energy Apron Greenhouses.
In 1995, Jeff teamed up with Paul Moore, yet another Arcosanti alumn, to create a company called Cohocom, dedicated to the fostering of cohousing communities. Together, they founded Manzanita Village of Prescott, which continues as a thriving community to this day.
Over a career spanning five decades, Jeff’s clients ranged from private residences, to Indigenous cultural centers, and nature centers. His stone house was published in “The Cabin Book” by Linda Leigh Paul. His work also appeared in “Architecture + Magazine” for “The Leaf House.” His design for The Los Alamos County Nature Center received the Southwest Building of the Year award from McGraw-Hill publishing. He also received the “Architect of the Year” award from the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Jeff continued his association with Arcosanti as a consultant until 2019, and joined the Board of Directors of The Cosanti Foundation in 2022.
A former member of The Screen Actors Guild, Jeff is also an accomplished actor, having appeared on stage numerous times, including in over a dozen plays by Shakespeare. He now lives in Oracle, AZ with his wife, Jean Wilcox. These days, in addition to practicing architecture, he has turned his attention to writing, and is currently working on the third book of “The New Moon Trilogy.”