Architectural Terminology Relevant to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Typical Santa Fe Architecture--Photograph Copyright Berenguela Bubita/Spanish Santa Fe 2007
Architectural and Topographical Terminology Relevant to Santa Fé
Acequia: Man-made irrigation ditch
Adobe: Mud brick that is dried in the sun; the first adobe bricks were used 8,500 years ago in the Middle East.
Alameda: tree-shaded promenade or public park; Spanish for cottonwood tree
Arroyo: Dry riverbed that occasionally fills with water from rains and run-off
Aspen: High-elevation deciduous tree with leaves that turn a brilliant gold in the fall--closely resembles birch
Banco: A bench made of adobe and covered with plaster
Bosque: Low-lying area near a river densely forested with cottonwoods and other deciduous trees
Calle: Street in Spanish
Camino: Road in Spanish
Canale: A roof spout that carries water off of a flat pueblo roof
Cerro: Hill
Chamiso: An evergreen shrub in the rose family that turns a golden color in the fall
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 or a wall
Coved Ceiling: A ceiling in which the part next to the wall is constructed in a cove
Cuesta: A ridge with a gentle slope on one side, and a cliff on the other
Escarpment Ordinances: Laws in the Santa Fe area prohibiting building and excavation of mountainsides beyond a certain steepness
Farolito: "Little lantern" in Spanish--typically a paper bag with a sand ballast and candle lit for Christmas
Flagstone: Flat sheets of stone mined locally, used for flooring in homes and patios--see photo at bottom of page
Historic Style Ordinances: Regulations governing the architectural style of all buildings within the Historic Districts 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: Traditional round, flat-roofed religious chamber found in Indian pueblos
Kiva Fireplace: A beehive-shaped fireplace
La Fonda: "The Hotel" in Spanish
La Posada: "The Inn" in Spanish
Latillas (lah-TEE-yahss): Small branches used as ceiling planking, made of aspen, pine or cedar--sometimes used to extend the height of adobe wall-enclosures. See photo above for an excellent example of latillas incorporated in a Santa Fe ceiling.
Lintel: Wooden beam bridging window or door openings
Mesa: Flat top mountain called a table in Spanish
Nicho: Small shelf carved into a wall--see photo below.
Paraje: "Place" in Spanish
Parapet: A low wall extending above the roof line in Pueblo style architecture
Paseo: Passage or walkway; "Promenade" in Spanish
Piñon Tree: High-desert, nut-bearing evergreen tree
Plaza: Public square in the center of town; the site of traditional evening paseo or promenade
Portal (por-TALL): Patio attached to a home, covered with a fixed roof supported by posts
Puerta: "Door" in Spanish
Ristra: A string of drying (or dried) red chiles--see photo below
Saltillo Tile: Simple fired-earth tile made in Saltillo, Mexico
Stucco: Final cement color-coat plastered on the exterior of an adobe-style building
Talavera Tile: Colorful hand-decorated Mexican tile used for countertops and trim
Ventana: "Window" in Spanish
Viga: Round log used as ceiling beam; see photo above for an excellent example of a traditional Santa Fe ceiling with vigas and latillas.
~~Copyright Berenguela/Spanish Santa Fe.Com 2007
Photo copyright Berenguela Bubita/Spanish Santa Fe 2007
