Southwest Style House Guides- Detailing The Pros & Cons To Make Sure Your Choice

If you're looking for a home with character and style, a Southwest style house may be the perfect fit. Also called Tuscan style houses, these homes are inspired by the architecture of Italy's Tuscany region. They typically feature stucco walls, terra cotta roofs, arched windows and doorways, and wrought iron details. Whether you live in the Southwest or not, a Southwest style house can bring a touch of Old World charm to your neighborhood. Southwest style houses are the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern luxury.

History of the Southwest House Style

The history of the southwest house style dates back to centuries when Spanish missionaries such as Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540 were traveling around the world in search of the mythical city of gold and came across the Pueblo people who constructed their houses in cubic shapes with adobe bricks and exposed wooden beams.

In 1609, the Spanish missionaries, with its military help, conquered the Pueblo natives and made Pueblo de Santa Fe the administrative capital of the Santa Fe Nuevo Mexico province. The Spanish established missions throughout the region and Europe in general, so the Pueblo or Southwest house style was the go-to style.

In America, the Pueblo or Santa Fe or Southwest architectural style made its first appearance in New Mexico at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where it was adopted as the building style for several building projects within the university complex. By 1920, the Southwestern architectural style became a popular house style. Several architects and builders under the Pueblo movement sought to establish the style as a unique regional style.

Characteristics of the Southwest House Style

With its roots in the Spanish colonial structures of the 1600s and pueblo homes, Southwest homes blend the traditional, charming and contemporary.  Like the Prairie-style homes, they are pitched low to the ground and are usually one or two stories. Among their distinct features are the following:   

Exterior Details

The exterior details vary with each Southwest house plan. For instance, some plans may feature stucco finishes and flat roofs, whereas others have brick and flagstone as the exterior materials. The homes can look traditional in design with attached garages and dormers or appear completely different altogether, such as sprawling sandcastles against the desert background. Other exterior features may or may not include:

• Front and rear courtyards
• Screened lanais
• Hip roofs
• One or more front gables
• Arched entryways
• Courtyards and gardens

Interior Details

The interior details also vary, starting with one bedroom and ending with five or more bedrooms depending on the layout. The living areas are spacious and open to the kitchen, and a breakfast nook is usually situated nearby with a large window to the side for enjoying the view. Other interior features may include:

• Skylights
• Sunken living rooms
• Corner fireplaces
• Walk-in pantries
• A grand foyer with a raised ceiling
• Open floor plans

Main Materials of a Southwestern Style House

Southwestern houses are typically made from natural materials. It is common to find materials like:

Southern houses are typically made from natural materials. It is common to find materials like:

• Stucco
• Brick
• Wood
• Copper
• Wrought Iron
• Terracotta
• Clay Tiles

Why We Love the Southwest House Plan

Below are some of the reasons why you should consider getting our Southwestern style home plans.

Encourages Open Space

Since southwest houses pride its style through the use of natural light, it is no surprise that it favor the open floor plan concept. An open floorplan makes it easier to have your entire living area, kitchen, and dining room in one space. You can easily transition from one room to the other easily. Also, the open space or open floor plan allows for the entrance of natural light which increases the home interior appeal.

Adaptability

You can easily blend the southwestern house style with other architectural styles. It offers you room to allow your creativity run wild when it comes to designing the interior and exterior of your home. You can easily have a design blend of southwestern and contemporary architectural designs in your home.

Privacy

Southwestern homes are typically built in large lots within suburban neighborhoods. This extra spacing provides you with more privacy from the prying eyes of your neighbors. It is common for southwestern home owners to plant shrubbery and other foliage around their property for additional covering and privacy.

How Much Does Southwest House Style Cost?

On average a Southwest house plan can cost around $5000 to $3,500. However, custom plans and blueprints may cost around 5-10 percent of the total home building cost. The average cost to build a southwest house style in the US is around $300,000 depending on your home location, customizations, and square footage.

One thing you should know before building one is that a Southwest home requires more time and more expensive to build. If you are looking to build a southwest home, you should check out some of our southwest floor plans and designs here.

Constructing a Southwest Home Style

Constructing a Southwest home requires the input of a professional architect and builder. When looking to build a Southwest home, you may decide to opt for a ready-made floor plan or a fully custom-designed blueprint for your potential home.

The first step to constructing a custom Southwest home is to get a comprehensive architectural drawing set. This gives you more insight into the type of materials to be used, accurate dimensions of the floor plans, location of the elements, sections, and other construction-related information.

If you are looking for a comprehensive yet affordable Southwest house blueprint or a customizable floor plan, then we at Archimple is here to serve you. We have several Southwest house design collections and floor plans. You can check out our southwest home design collection to find out how we can help you achieve your dream home.

You can click the following links to learn more about what consists of our typical plan set and how we work or can be of help to you and your Southwest home building project. Remember that your home is not just an investment for the future but a reflection of your personality. So, it is important that you employ the best architectural help to make your dream home a reality.

Final Thought

The Southwest Style House is a great way to add southwestern flair to your home. With its unique design and attention to detail, this house will stand out from the rest. So if you're looking for a new and exciting way to update your home, the Southwest Style House is a perfect choice.

Frequently Asked Question

What is a Southwest style house?

Southwest style houses are a type of architecture native to the southwestern United States. This type of architecture is characterized by its use of Adobe bricks, vigas, and latillas.

What are some common features of a Southwest style house?

Some common features of Southwest style houses include stucco walls, high ceilings, exposed beams, and large windows. These houses are often designed to be energy-efficient and passive solar.

How can I incorporate Southwest style into my own home?

There are a few ways to incorporate Southwest style into your own home. One way is to use Adobe bricks or stucco for your exterior walls. Another way is to use vigas and latillas for your ceiling beams and trusses.

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