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Architectural Terminology of New Mexico
Acequia
Man made irrigation ditch.
Adobe
A sun dried mud and straw brick used as a building material.
Alacena
Cupboard built into an interior adobe wall.
Alameda
Spanish for "Cottonwood Tree". This word has come to mean a road bordered by cottonwoods.
Arroyo
Dry riverbed that fills occasionally, sometimes without warning and very rapidly. Children should never play in an arroyo.
Aspen Tree
High elevation deciduous tree with leaves that turn gold in the fall resulting in a spectacular display of fall color.
Banco
A bench made of adobe and covered with plaster, often found in kitchen areas. Bancos are sometimes built next to Kiva fireplaces or on a portal.
Bosque
Low-lying area near rivers, densely forested with cottonwoods and other deciduous trees. The wooded area bordering the Rio Grande in Albuquerque is referred to as "The Bosque".
Camino
The Spanish word for "road."
Canale
A spout, which protrudes from the roof that carries water off a flat pueblo-style roof.
Casa
The Spanish word for "house" or "home."
Coping
Decorative detail on the top edge of a building and around doors and windows.
Corbel
Short sculpted beam lying on top of a post, principally decorative. Also called Zapatos.
Coyote Fence
Narrow cedar posts lined up side by side - a system early settlers devised to ensure the safety of their animals.
Entrada
Entryway.
Escarpment Ordinances
Laws in the Santa Fe area prohibiting building on and excavation of mountainsides beyond a certain steepness.
Flagstone
Flat sheets of stone mined locally, used for flooring in homes and on patios.
Hacienda
Spanish style, traditional house built in a U-shaped design.
Historic Style Ordinances
Regulations governing the architectural style of all buildings within the Historic District of downtown Santa Fe.
Horno
Freestanding adobe bread oven found at most pueblos and Indian homes.
Juniper Tree
High-desert evergreen that seldom grows more than 15 feet tall.
Kiva
A small "beehive-shaped" fireplace. These can be seen both indoors and on patios and courtyards outdoors and are usually located in a corner area.
Latillas
Small branches used as ceiling planking, usually between vigas which area made of Aspen, pine or cedar.
Lintel
An exposed wooden beam at the top of a window or door.
Nicho
Small, usually arched, opening carved into a wall used for display.
Paseo
Passage or walkway.
Piñon Tree
High-desert nut-bearing evergreen tree.
Placita
Inner Courtyard.
Plaza
Public square in the center of town.
Portal
An outdoor patio covered by a roof, supported by posts.
Pueblo
This word is used to describe a group of people, a town, or an architectural style (flat roofed "adobe" style homes.)
Puerta
The Spanish word for "door."
Rumford Fireplace
A tall, shallow fireplace known for great efficiency.
Saltillo Tile
A fired earthen tile made in Mexico.
Stucco
Final cement color-coat plastered on the exterior of an adobe-style building.
Talavera Tile
Colorful hand-decorated Mexican tile used for counter tops and trim.
Territorial Style
Pueblo style modified with sharp cornered walls, brick coping around the roofline, and milled woodwork details such as pediment lintels on window frames.
Trastero
Cupboard.
Ventana
The Spanish word for "window."
Viga
Round logs used as ceiling beams, usually pine or spruce. There is a trend to square off vigas in more contemporary pueblo style homes.
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