Join us for the Nipton Symposium on the Future of Human Settlements. We will explore the multiple frontiers of design possibility in this age of rapid technological change in communication and energy forms that will allow us to re-invent and evolve civilization in preferred directions.

The weekend includes:

Friday evening meet and greet
V.I.P. gift bag
7 lectures by known leaders in their field plus audience Q&A
Continental breakfasts
Communal dinner
Opportunities for social mingling with speakers
Free time activities such as star gazing, a swim in the pond, Mojave Desert exploration

Related video clips from Christopher Zelov and The Knossus Project's knowledge repository

The Key Question

Rise and fall of Images of the Future

David Orr on Finding a Calling

Jay Baldwin on Soft Technology

The Birth of Regenerative Design

Bucky's Dream

The Galactic Explorer Perspective

Village Homes

The Long Now

Design Pliny Fisk - Rendering Blake Smith

The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems - Pliny Fisk Founder. Maximum Potential - is an ideal state beyond the present - the Center strives to potentialize all life systems. Building - first, as a noun, so it becomes solid and tangible as in buildings; then, as a verb so it denotes action as in building community. Systems - everything is a system; if not, there would be no feedback, no evolution, no life. Living Systems - biotic and abiotic - maximize potential futures; if not, there would be no change. Potential Systems become life at the next step.

FAQs

Who are the Speakers?

Pliny Fisk Founder of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems

Wanda Dalla Costa Architecture Professor at Arizona State University

Dr. Phil Hawes (via Skype) Biosphere2 Architect and Eco-Village Planner

Christopher Zelov Award-Winning Filmmaker- Ecological Design: Inventing the Future.

Richard Register Author of: Eco-Cities

Jesse Hernreich Executive Director of The ECOSA Institute.

Rob Jameson Technology Director of Cosanti Foundation

Dr. William J. Cohen (via Skype) Associate Professor of Practice at Temple University, with a PhD. in Planning from Penn under Ian McHarg.

Aurora Mahassine - Eco-System Surfaces, Green Infrastructure & Urban Resilience

Iliad Terra - (via Skype) Sacred Geometry and the Future of Design

Howard Pearlmutter - Title: The Gold Mine and the Greenfield

A closing commemoration of Jay Baldwin (Whole Earth Catalog) and the Design Spirit by Christopher Zelov

What about accommodations?

Staying in Nipton
Among the possible accommodations are eco-cabins, tipis, camp sites, and RV spaces. Call 760-799-4929 to make your reservation. These rooms are currently blocked until May 25 after which it is first come first served. The prices below reflect your symposium discount.

o Eco Cabins: Several eco cabins are available, sleeping four (with two beds) or one sleeps seven (with four beds). These run $74.00/night and 80.00/night for the larger cabin. The cabins have evaporative cooling with restrooms and showers a short walk from the cabins.
o Tipis: Ten tipis, all at least 22’ diameter. They are furnished with a range of bed sizes and how many each tipi can accommodate. The tpis have outlets, but currently no AC, however mornings and evenings are cool in the desert! The tipis range in price from $100 to $130 night. Restrooms and showers are a short walk from the tipis.
o Camping: We have five camps spots among the shade of Ecalyptus trees. They are close to the restroom/shower facility and run $25/night.
o RV Spaces: Four partially shaded RV spaces are available for $25/night without hookups and $40 with.

Staying in Primm or Searchlight, NV
Primm is a casino town just inside the Nevada border. It is 20 miles from Nipton. The casino hotel rooms are approximately 85/night. Searchlight is a small town in Nevada 22 miles from Nipton. There is only one hotel and it runs around 60/night.
Other options: Cottonwood Cove (on Lake Mojave) is 35 miles from Nipton. Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Laughlin and Bullhead City are all roughly 60-65 miles from Nipton.

What are my transportation options for getting to and from the event?

The closest major airport is Las Vegas, NV (LAS). There is no shuttle service to Nipton but ample car rentals.

By car, just type Nipton, CA to google directions. Nipon is on Hwy 164 Nipton Road, which spans about 32 miles between I-15 and US95 at Searchlight, Nevada.

How can I contact someone for more information?

If you have logistical questions about the event please call (760) 799-4929. Or for questions regarding the content you can call or email Christopher Zelov. (484) 554-4710 or knossus@ptd.net

What's the refund policy?

Cancel by end of day Monday, June 4th for a full refund.

The New Wild West: Nipton and the Future of Human Settlements