Southwest Architecture and Home Features
The Land of Enchantment Hosts Truly Enchanting Homes!
I created this section to familiarize you with what you can expect to see, and terms you will frequently encounter, when looking for a home in beautiful New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment”. I hope you find this information helpful.
You can find most any style home in the Albuquerque area, from contemporary to colonial, from Mediterranean to traditional, and everything in between. A common–and unique–style is a form of Southwestern architecture called “pueblo” style. These homes have ‘flat’ roofs (the roof surface is actually sloped for water runoff), rounded corners and stucco exteriors. The pueblo style arises from a rich heritage steeped in Native American cultures.
Many SW architectural interior features can be found in most pueblo homes, and can also be found in homes of other styles. Most of these southwestern features are shown and explained below.
Nichos (nee? chose) are recessed areas in walls used to contain candles, religious objects or other items.
Vigas (vee’ guz) are round log beams, typically made of pine, that have been stripped of bark but not milled. They sometimes protrude through the walls to the home’s exterior (shown below).
Canales (kuh nall’ ees) are rain troughs that protrude through a parapet wall, used to drain water off of a ‘flat’ roof.
Latillas (la tee’ yas) are small (1 to 2 inches in diameter) peeled poles used for ceilings. Or, they can be used to add interest and visibility to walled courtyards.
Corbels (core bells’) are carved wooden brackets used under ceiling beams or vigas. A double corbel bracket, sometimes called a zapata (za pa’ ta), is typically placed atop vigas. They are used inside or outside a home. The photo shows both corbel and a zapata.
Kiva (kee’ va) fireplaces are beehive-shaped. Traditionally, kivas are placed in the corner of a room, but less traditional kivas can be placed anywhere. They typically have low hearths, rising 6 to 10 inches above the floor, and have no applied mantel. They can be gas log or wood-burning.
Saltillo tile (sall tee’ yo) is red clay floor tile, commonly 12 inches square, but sometimes octagonal. It is named after the city in northern Mexico. Also shown in these photos is talavera (tal uh vare’ a) tile which is finely handmade and hand-painted.
A banco (bonk? oh) is built-in seating, sometimes with upholstered cushions
Portals (pore’ tulls) are covered porches, often running the full length of a building or between two wings. Portals are supported by vertical posts, often topped with corbels or zapatas. Vigas or milled beams typically provide the top structure.
Courtyards. Some pueblo-style homes have courtyards surrounding the front entrance. These courtyards can have varying types of gateways.
Ristas (ree’stuz) are bound collections of red chilies. They are often hung near front doors as a symbol of welcome.