Santa Fe Style

Santa Fe Style Homes were traditionally built of adobe -- sun dried clay bricks mixed with grasses for strength, mortared with simple mud, then covered with additional protective layers of mud. The Spanish and Mexican residents who came to Santa Fe later continued this adobe style for it’s practicability in that it kept the home cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.

Glossary

Santa Fe Style Homes were traditionally built of adobe -- sun dried clay bricks mixed with grasses for strength, mortared with simple mud, then covered with additional protective layers of mud. The Spanish and Mexican residents who came to Santa Fe later continued this adobe style for it’s practicability in that it kept the home cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.

Courtyards evolved from the plazas found in Anasazi communities. The courtyard can be found in the front of a house as a space you walk through before entering the home, or in the backyard as a place to relax. Courtyards are often a sensual experience of flowering plants and fountains.

Floors in ancient adobes were constructed of packed mud, but most floors in contemporary Santa Fe style homes are tile or brick. Carpets are sometimes found in bedrooms and living areas.

Roofs are supported by a network of vigas (long beams whose ends protrude through the outer facades), and latillas (small stripped branches layered between the vigas). Adobe homes are distinguished by their flat roofs and soft, rounded contours.

Portals are patios that allow the home owners to extend their home out into the yard, often facing a beautiful vista. Dining and relaxing often occur outdoors on spacious portals. Usually framed with large local wood corbels (decorated tops of columns) and the same heavy wood beams found inside the house (vigas)

Nichos are small carved out spaces in hallways and on wallscreating space to display pieces of art or others things of value.

Bancos are the curved shelf like area around the fireplace in an adobe homes, also used for display.

Arched entryways, doorways and walls are very prevalent in Santa Fe style homes. They contribute to the organic, soft feel of Santa fe Style homes.

Doors, gates and cupboards in the Santa Fe style home are often either actual old wooden doors or painted or carved to look like the old doors. In the old days, doors and gateways were built for protection rather than decoration, so a strong, formidable door had to be used.