In order to familiarize you with what you can expect to see,
and terms you will frequently encounter when looking for a home in Taos,
we've compiled a list of information below
that we hope you will find both helpful and useful.
A common--and unique--style is a form of Southwestern architecture called “pueblo” style.
These homes have ‘flat’ roofs (the roof surface is actually sloped for water runoff),
rounded corners and stucco exteriors. The pueblo style arises from a rich heritage
steeped in Native American cultures.
Many SW architectural interior features can be found in most pueblo homes,
and can also be found in homes of other styles.
Most of these southwestern features are shown and explained below.
Adobe – (ah doe’ bee) a natural building material mixed from sand, clay, and straw, or other fibrous materials, which is shaped into bricks using frames and dried in the sun.
Banco - (bonk' oh) is built-in seating, sometimes with upolstered cushions, often made of adobe and covered with plaster.
  
Kiva Fireplace - (kee-va) The Kiva or Bee Hive fireplace with their distinctive arched firebox door is typical of southwestern design and most often placed in a corner. Historically, these Kiva Fireplaces were constructed of the same adobe material used to construct the home. They typically have low hearths, rising 6 to 10 inches above the floor, and have no applied mantel. They can be gas log or wood-burning.
Nichos - (nee-chose) are recessed areas in walls used to contain candles, religious objects, or other decorative items.
 
Saltillo tile - (sall tee’ yo) is red clay floor tile, commonly 12 inches square, but sometimes octagonal. It is named after the city in northern Mexico. Also shown in these photos is talavera (tal uh vare’ a) tile which is finely handmade and hand-painted.
  
Latilla - (la tee' yas) Branches of native woods typically shaved of bark placed above vigas or beams in ceiling. Sometimes called a "herringbone ceiling." Also, latillas are used to make a fence, sometimes called a "coyote fence."
Vigas - (vee' guz) - The trunk of a tree typically pine or spruce which has been peeled. Used vertically as a support, as in a portal, or horizontally supporting a roof and for southwestern decor. They sometimes portrude through the wall to the home's exterior.
Corbels - (core bells') are carved wooden brackets used under ceiling beams or vigas. A double corbel bracket, sometimes called a zapata (za pa' ta), is typically placed atop vigas. They are used inside or outside a home. This photo shows both a corbel and zapata.
Canales - (kuh nall' ees) are rain troughs that protrude through a parapet wall, used to drain water off of a 'flat' roof. They may be just holes at roof level or they may be of carved wood with tin or copper liners to spout the water from the roof.
 
Portals - (pore’ tahls) are covered porches, often running the full length of a building or between two wings. Portals are supported by vertical posts, often topped with corbels or zapatas. Vigas or milled beams typically provide the top structure.
Acequias - (a seh' kee ahs) a community operated waterway used in the American Southwest for irrigation. Acequias are usually historically engineered canals that carry snow runoff or river water to distant field.
Ristras (ree’struz) are bound collections of red chilies that are hung to dry in order to make red chile or carribe. Decorative ones are shellacked and are often hung near front doors as a symbol of welcome.
Horno – (or’ noh) A traditional outdoor adobe oven used for cooking things such as bread, or corn.
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