Pueblo Architecture Roof Beams

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.

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. Heavy doors ceiling beams and porch posts are a striking counterpart to the smooth walls typical of pueblo architecture. The timbers used are called vigas and they re usually exposed at the ends. 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. Pueblo style architecture seeks to imitate the appearance of traditional adobe construction though more modern materials such as brick or concrete are often substituted. An espadaña extending up from the face of the church with two bells in it combined with the blocky. The mission church at laguna pueblo built early in the eighteenth century shows a style that is instantly recognizable as spanish southwest.

Buildings can be up to five stories tall. Walls are usually stuccoed and painted in earth tones. Usually each floor is set back from the floor below so that a given building resembles a stepped pyramid. 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.

Rising above the beehive buttresses and protruding roof beams are two wooden bell towers added in 1870. Spanish colonial pueblo architecture often called the santa fe style was inspired by a mixture of spanish colonial and simple indian pueblo forms.