History of Southwestern Architecture

Southwestern architecture is characterized by many representatives possessing different influences such that this style of architecture is much more varied than other types, with more different motifs and methods of construction.

Mediterranean and Hispanic adobe, Spanish Colonial revival and Pueblo revival are several types of southwestern architecture, characterized by different types of construction, but all having the same feature – the flat appearance and flat roofs, with log rafters or columns for supporting the room and the lodge. 

Southwestern architecture may be characterized by rounded corners, by the presence of different styles of posts, irregular exterior surfaces, and earthen materials that resemble the landscape around the houses. The presence of lintels, carving posts, fireplace mantels, beams and corbels may represent another characteristic of the southwestern houses.

The Italian and English Renaissance seem to influence the construction of southwestern houses, bringing more sophisticated notes and the principle of separating the function for several rooms so that the specific house of the southwest grew from two-five rooms to more. In this way southwestern architecture borrowed different elements and experienced some strong influences from other architectural trends and principles. That may be considered the proper time for Georgian mansion appearance, having a great popularity during the 1850-1870's.

Southwestern architecture suffered different modifications and influences across the time, but the u-shape or l-shape of the house remained popular. And this is due to the principle of adding the rooms to the existent ones from the old times when prosperity and the growing number of the family came gradually. Later on, the shape remained popular due to the principle of separating the personal rooms from the bathroom, kitchen and other rooms with common functions for the family. The exterior of the southwestern houses resembles a lot with their ancestors, although having a more pleasant appearance. Southwestern architecture may be a matter of discussing various problems: the relationship with history and spectacular influences during the centuries, with mathematics and science and other interesting aspects.

Contemporary southwestern architecture explores the original adobe pueblos and Native American Indian constructions from early times, using the round shape, round corners and concentric circles of rooms. These aspects are still interesting matters for the modern architecture and may be explored while preserving and developing the secrets of the Native American Indian way of building houses in accordance with the natural environment and with the help of natural materials. In this way southwestern architecture may be improved and developed.