SPANISH PUEBLO STYLE

Southwest Architecture

When the Spanish settlers came to New Mexico they brought with them new tools and memories of their European roots and their way of life. Pueblos had been made by puddling adobe mud in a layering method and the Spanish devised a wood form to make adobe bricks and lay them with adobe mud, (socate). The changes were simple but dramatic and lead to a mixing of two distinctive periods of southwestern architecture and its people.

Spanish Pueblo homes have sharper corners than pueblo style. Window and door openings are typically trimmed with wood casing in simple designs and are set flush with the walls. Doors became more frame and panel in design. Parapets and chimneys are rounded similar to pueblo style but are not as softened. Ceilings are typically square beams and are peeled smooth. This replicated mill sawn beams but was done by hand because of the limited availability of mechanical tools. Portals are usually square posts and beams but round posts may be used. Plaster details such as archways in interiors are common. Carvings in beams and corbels were made possible with the new tools introduced at the time. European style chandeliers and wall sconces were replicated in simple tin designs.

Elements of Spanish Pueblo Architecture

Simple strong one and two story elements
Flat roofs of varying heights with plaster parapets
Portals and loggias detailed with both square and round beams and posts
Stucco colors from brown tones to salmon pink
Wood moldings and accents
Doors and windows are set flush with the exterior wall and cased with woodwork
Softly rounded and square corners
Canales for drainage
Exposed viga ends on structures are common
Simple courtyard walls
Buttressed elements
Entry portals and courtyards are typical entry features with gates to the courtyard
Simple thick doors with minimal detailing