Local Lingo

  ADOBE (a-doe-bee): Sun-dried brick made from mud and straw.

• ANASAZI (an-a-saw-zee): Native American population who lived in the desert south-west and built cliff dwellings.
• BANCO (bahn-co): Plaster-covered adobe bench situated near a kiva fireplace or on the patio used for extra seating.
• CANALE (ka-nal-ay): A spout affixed to a flat roof allowing water to run off.
• CASITA (ka-see-tah): A small house. May also refer to a guest house.
• CORBEL (kor-bel): Decoratively carved wooden support used between posts and beams.
• COYOTE FENCE (ky-o-tee): Juniper, cedar or aspen branches wired together vertically.  Originally designed to protect farm animals.  Now mostly used for privacy or as a decorative feature.
• HORNO (or-no): Behive-shaped outdoor cooking oven made from adobe bricks.
• KIVA FIREPLACE (kee-va): A rounded plaster/adobe fireplace usually located in the corner of a room.
• LATILLA (la-tee-ya): Small branches of cedar, aspen or juniper placed between vigas to form a ceiling.
• LINTEL (lin-tel): An exposed wooden support beam at the top of a window or door, sometimes painted or carved.
• NICHO (nee-cho): A small indentation in a wall usually rounded at the top used as a shelf.
• PINON (peen-yon): A slow-growing, aromatic evergreen pine native to the high desert commonly used for firewood.
• PLAZA: City center or public square.
• PORTAL: Covered porch, doorway or hallway.
• PUEBLO (poo-eb-low): A village or small town.
• PUEBLO STYLE: A classic architectural design found throughout Santa Fe. The exterior is constructed of adobe or frame and stucco with a flat roof, and the interior features include vigas, latillas, bancos and niches.
• RISTRA (rees-tra): A long string to which red chilis are tied to dry.  Used for decoration and cooking.
• SALTILLO TILE (sal-tee-yo): Fired, earth-toned tile made in Mexico.  A very popular floor covering material in Santa Fe.
• SANTOS (sahn-tos): Hand-carved, wooden figures of saints.
• TERRITORIAL STYLE: Similar to pueblo-style but has angular instead of rounded corners and wood trim around the windows and doors.  May also have bricks along the roofline.
• VIGA (vee-ga): Large, exposed, peeled log used as decorative horizontal support for ceilings.