Celebrating New Mexico: Creating Community Spaces Rooted in Architecture and Culture
I really thought that by separating out cultures and regions these posts would each be shorter… I was wrong.. there is so much to say! So for now I will post what I have an update it as I come up with new ideas!
Comment your ideas that I should add below this post!
Source: Quintessentially NM: Architecture by Kate Nelson, Illustration by Chris Philpot.
New Mexico is a land rich in history, diverse cultural heritage, and distinctive architecture.
Honoring the unique identity of its people and their connection to the land, creating community and residential spaces that embrace New Mexico’s architecture and culture is a powerful way to foster a sense of pride and belonging. In this blog post, we will explore strategies and considerations for designing spaces that pay homage to New Mexico’s architectural styles, cultural traditions, and community values.
1. Embracing Traditional New Mexican Architecture:
a. Pueblo Revival Style: Consider incorporating elements of the iconic Pueblo Revival architecture into community and residential spaces. This style, influenced by Native American pueblo dwellings, features adobe construction, flat roofs, rounded edges, and earth-toned exteriors.
b. Territorial Style: Inspired by New Mexico’s territorial history, this architectural style combines elements of Spanish and Mexican influences. Emphasize features like thick adobe walls, wooden vigas (ceiling beams), colorful accents, and central courtyards to create an authentic sense of place.
2. Cultural Sensitivity and Engagement:
a. Community Collaboration: Engage with local communities and stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard in the design process. Collaborate with residents, tribal leaders, and cultural organizations to incorporate their insights, traditions, and values into the spaces being created.
b. Indigenous Art and Craftsmanship: Celebrate the rich artistic traditions of New Mexico’s Indigenous communities by integrating locally crafted artwork, pottery, textiles, and murals into community spaces. Showcase the work of local artisans to preserve and promote their cultural heritage. Build spaces for artists to do their work where passersby can watch in awe at their skill and their craft.
3. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design:
a. Passive Solar Design: Leverage New Mexico’s abundant sunshine to create energy-efficient and comfortable spaces. Incorporate features like large south-facing windows, shading devices, and thermal mass to optimize natural light and passive heating and cooling.
b. Water Conservation: Given the arid climate of New Mexico, prioritize water-conscious design. Implement xeriscaping techniques, native plantings, and efficient irrigation systems to minimize water usage while maintaining beautiful landscapes.
4. Outdoor Gathering Spaces:
a. Courtyards and Plazas: Design community spaces that emulate traditional New Mexican courtyards and plazas. These central gathering areas encourage social interactions, hosting events, and celebrations. Incorporate shaded seating, water features, and native plantings to create inviting and vibrant outdoor environments.
b. Ramadas and Portals: Include covered outdoor areas, such as ramadas and portals, that provide relief from the sun while offering opportunities for community members to come together. These spaces can serve as gathering points for storytelling, performances, or simply enjoying the beauty of New Mexico’s natural surroundings.
5. Preservation of Historical Context:
a. Adaptive Reuse: Whenever possible, repurpose existing historical structures to retain the character and story of the community. Transform old adobe buildings, warehouses, or historic sites into community centers, art galleries, or local businesses, preserving the cultural fabric of New Mexico.
b. Public Art Installations: Commission public art pieces that reflect New Mexico’s cultural heritage and resonate with the community. Sculptures, murals, and mosaics can capture the essence of the region’s diverse history, legends, and traditions.
Source: https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/624e5af1f4033e000e3c8e66
Source: What Is a Kiva Fireplace? by eHow
By continuing to design community and residential spaces in New Mexico that honor the architecture and culture of its people, we create environments that embrace the state’s rich history, traditions, and sense of place. Incorporating elements of traditional New Mexican architecture, engaging with local communities, promoting sustainable design, and preserving historical context are key to fostering a deep sense of identity, pride, and connection among residents. Let us celebrate New Mexico’s vibrant culture and create spaces that reflect its timeless beauty.
𖤓𖤓𖤓
Amy’s Note on Animals:
Bring them in! Literally and through motifs, statues, and murals! Donkeys, road runners (state bird), lizards, turtles, snakes (NOT literally), Jackrabbits, armadillos, coyotes, foxes, bison, and wolves, (always at an appropriately safe distance to be respected). As well as birds such as hummingbirds (17 species in New Mexico!), songbirds, mourning doves, swallows, owls, and falcons.
Bring them in with water sources and diet-appropriate foods, to appreciate and to give a helping hand to them for coexisting with us!
Useful Terms
Latillas - full or skip-peeled lengths of logs
Kiva - beautiful adobe fireplaces, designed in many styles and can be incorporated inside homes as well as outside in courtyards, for example.
Santa Fe Style - Think: Pueblo style + new large glass windows.
Ristra - Strings of drying chili pepper pods, other than its practicality it is now also said to bring health and good luck.
Mexican Papel Picado - strings of colorful flag-like papers, made of elaborate designs cut into tissue paper, considered Mexican folk art.
Colors
A base of deep terracotta, clay, and brown natural tones, sometimes cheerfully contrasted with bright beautiful doors, murals, and tiles. Light blue/turquoise is painted on doors and windows to protect from bad spirits.
Kiva Source: https://sonorangardensinc.com/outdoor-fire-features-tucson/
Design Themes:
Culture: living in nature, relaxing after hard work or simply being in the hot sun, community with others, dancing,
Design: places to relax; benches, many seating areas, hammocks, filtered light/filtered shade, incorporate the sound of running water; conversation spaces everywhere, especially in courtyards which can be around a fireplace, a low table, or a picnic table.
I know that many places in New Mexico have already incorporated all of these things, the ideas are already there and in place, and a visit to New Mexico is what inspired this post. But there are also bland, uninteresting places and neighborhoods being built today and I just want to see more places lean deeper into their history and into their unique sense of place, for the benefit of all!
Mimosa Tree
When traditions and cultures collide! How fun!
Additional Resources:
Quintessentially NM: Architecture by Kate Nelson
38 Must-Visit Adobe Buildings by Ashley Biggers
Book: Facing Southwest, The Life & Houses Of John Gaw Meem
Disclaimer: This post was created with the help of AI technology. I do not claim to have generated this entire post on my own although I have added to- and edited it- significantly.
