Scotty’s Castle.

Death Valley, CA

From Spain to
Mexico, &
everywhere in
between, learn
more about the
desert beauties
that are coloring
the west coast

Spanish Colonial Style

Architecture
Presented by Kylie McManus
History
& Origins
Spanish Architecture, or in an standards and styles than the
this case, Spanish Colonial Reviv-
al Architecture, is a United States
stylistic movement that began
in the early 20th century, mostly
in California and Florida. It was
based off of Spanish Colonial Ar-
chitecture, a style that came about
from the early Spanish colonies
of North and Central America,
as well as Mediterranean Revival
Architecture, a style that emerged
from Spanish and Western Euro-
pean Renaissance motifs.
Traditional Spanish Colonial Ar-
chitecture enjoyed high popular-
ity in the Americas during earlier
centuries, though it often split in
to many different sub-styles and
variations of architecture, and is
Mello Residence. harder to clearly define. It gener-
La Quinta, CA
ally holds to much more Europe-
revival style architecture does.
Mediterranean Revival Architec-
ture has less clear roots, as it is
largely a combination of Spanish
Renaissance, Spanish Colonia,
Beaux-Arts, Italian Renaissance,
and Gothic Architecture styles.
The use of Mediterranean seaside
villa architecture in tandem with
the less traditional Spanish style
blossomed in popularity with the
developing Sunshine and Golden
state, peaaking in the 20s. Coastal
California received the most atten-
tion for this style, as it was imple-
mented in all kinds of buildings,
from housing to city halls. Many
rules are in place to protect these
buildings, as the style is now con-
sidered a huge part of California’s
aesthetic and cultural identity.
 Key Features Quickly Recognize the defining stylistic traits of
Spanish Style Architecture.

Terracotta. The half-cylinder terracotta tile roofs are one

of the most distingushable features of this style. The mate-
rial is also often used for flooring, especially in kitchens or
patios. The earthy red color gives a warm, rustic feel to the
architecture that echoes its ever-sunny climate.

Tile. In addittion to terracotta floor tiling, this style often

incorportates intricate painted tilework. The tile is usual-
ly placed either on the flooring or as decorative embellish-
ments. Often, they have abstracted, geometric forms with
flowy organic forms and patterns, and bright colors.

Iron & Wood. Large, wooden doors are often a prom-

inent feature of the spanish style homes, as well as wood-
en beams forming balconies or gazebos. Rustic, decorative
ironwork is often found on staircases, or decorating win-
dows, doorways, or doorknobs.

Arches. They are used often to form doorways, arcades,

or porches. The arches create an open, welcoming space.
They also work well to mimick the curves of the roof tiles.
The stucco surface causes the arches to feel like a cross be-
tween European and Pueblo architecture.
 Southern
Sycamore Wood. Los Angeles, CA

California Home to some of the most prominent

Spanish Style edifices.

The center of this style is often considered to be located in South-

ern and Coastal California. Not only is the style prolific in this area,
it is considered to be a defining architectural and cultural trait of the
area. The sunny, lush climate of the Golden State is a perfect aesthetic
partner for the rustic, earthy style of Spanish Colonial Revival Archi-
tecture. There are several laws in place that have helped to protect and
preserve the 20s style architecture.
The style has been implemented into just about every type of build-
ing, including housing, city halls, hotels, schools, and more. They are
often accompanied by lush (drought resistant) gardens. Plants such as
Bougainvillea, Palm trees, Jacaranda, Loquat trees, poppies, and Birds
of Paradise are commonly seen, though they are not necessarily native.
The style is well exemplified in the California Quadrange, a set of his-
toric structures located in San Diego. They were designed by architect
Bertram Goodhue, and were added to the National Register of Historic
Places on May 17, 1974.
he city of Santa Barbara adopted the style to give it a unified Span-
ish character after widespread destruction in the 1925 Santa Barbara
earthquake. Its County Courthouse is a prime example of the style.
Real estate developer Ole Hanson favored the Spanish Colonial Reviv-
al style in his founding and development of San Clemente, California
in 1928. The Pasadena City Hall, as well as the Sonoma and Beverly
Hills City Halls are other notable civic examples in California.
Notable Examples
Mission Santa Barbara, CA

California Missions Scotty’s Castle Casa del Herrero Canfield-Wright

Throughout CA Death Valley, CA Montecito, CA Del Mar, CA

Between 1769 & 1833, Also known as “Death This site, also referred This historic struc-
several Catholic Fran- Valley Ranch,” this to as the “Steedman ture in Del Mar was
ciscan priests set out place is a two-story Estate,” is a home created as a private
to evangelize the Na- villa located in the and gardens in Mon- home, and is now
tive populations of Mountains of north- tecito. It is listed on listed on the Nation-
California. Along this ern Death Valley Na- the National Regis- al Register of Histor-
journey, they built 21 tional Park. It was ter of Historic Plac- ic Places. Though it
religious outposts, or started during the es, and is a National was once almost torn
Missions. The surviv- rush to claim Death Historic Landmark. down to make room
ing missions are some Valley’s mines, but Today it is operated for a modern struc-
of the state’s oldest was turned into a as a non-profit muse- ture, the community
structures, and most winter home, and um. It was built in the came together to pre-
visited historic mon- later a popular tour mid-1920’s by George serve it as a historic
uments. They are an destination. Though Washington Smith, site. A new developer
important influence it was damaged badly for George Steedman. came forward to help
to the revival style ar- in 2015 from flooding, It survived the Santa preserve and restore
hictecture. it is being rebuilt. Barbara earthquake. the place for years.