Pueblo Architecture Roof Beams

The main features of pueblo homes include gigantic rounded adobe walls flat roofs that lack overhang heavy timbers or vigas that extend through the walls to provide roof support latillas or poles angled above the vigas rounded parapets that contain spouts for rain water simple windows and deep door and window openings.

Pueblo architecture roof beams.

An espadaña extending up from the face of the church with two bells in it combined with the blocky. In a typical pueblo building adobe blocks form the walls of each room as well as a central courtyard. The exposed beam ends projecting from the outside of the wall are a defining characteristic of pueblo architecture and spanish colonial architecture in new mexico and often replicated in modern pueblo revival architecture. Walls are usually stuccoed and painted in earth tones.

Spanish colonial pueblo architecture often called the santa fe style was inspired by a mixture of spanish colonial and simple indian pueblo forms. Common features of the pueblo revival style include projecting wooden roof beams or vigas which sometimes serve no structural purpose corbels curved often stylized beam supports and latillas which are peeled branches or strips of wood laid across the tops of vigas to create a foundation usually supporting dirt or clay for a roof. If adobe is not used rounded corners irregular parapets and thick battered walls are used to simulate it. A flat roof with a parapet wall irregular and rounded edges on walls stucco surfaces and vigas round roof beams extending through walls to the exterior.

Heavy doors ceiling beams and porch posts are a striking counterpart to the smooth walls typical of pueblo architecture. Buildings can be up to five stories tall. The timbers used are called vigas and they re usually exposed at the ends. The mission church at laguna pueblo built early in the eighteenth century shows a style that is instantly recognizable as spanish southwest.

Usually the vigas are simply peeled logs with a minimum of woodworking. This architectural form enables the roof of each level to serve as a terrace for the level above.