Southwest Dictionary
New Mexico has beautiful architecture with Mexican, Spanish, and American Indian influences. Use this glossary to learn about the features that may be found in your new home.
Adobe - (a-doe'-bee) A sun dried mud brick used as a building material.
Arroyo - (a-roy-o) Dry riverbed that fills occasionally during our rainy season. Avoid building in arroyos!
Banco - (bawn'-co) A bench built from adobe usually covered with plaster, sometimes built beside the kiva fireplace or on a portal.
Canale - (ka-nal'-lee) A spout, which protrudes from the roof that carries rain water off a flat pueblo roof.
Corbel - (kor'-bell) A short sculptured beam lying on top of a post, principally decorative.
Horno - (hor'-no) A Freestanding adobe bread oven found at most pueblos and Indian homes.
Kiva Fireplace - (kee'-va) A sculptured beehive-shaped fireplace.
Latilla - (la-tee'-ya) Small branches used as ceiling planking, usually between vigas which are made of aspen, pine, or cedar.
Lintel - (lin'-tel) An exposed beam at the top of a window or door.
Nicho - (nee'-cho) A sculptured indentation in the wall used to display art work.
Portal - (por-tal') An outdoor patio covered by a roof supported by posts.
Saltillo tile - (sal-tee'-yo) A fired earthen tile made in Mexico.
Stucco - (stu'-ko) Final color coat plastered on exterior of an adobe-style building.
Talavera tile - (tal'-a-ver-a) Colorful hand-decorated Mexican tile used for counter tops and trim.
Viga - (vee'-ga) A round log used as ceiling beams, usually pine or spruce.