Albuquerque Adobe

The use of adobe defines not only Albuquerque, but much of New Mexico. This age old building material contributes greatly to the charm of the city. Whether it is genuine adobe found most commonly in the preserved buildings of Old Town, or its more modern imitators (stucco with an adobe look), the ubiquitous tan material adorns homes new and old as far as the eye can see.

On older homes and buildings, the hand finished adobe material (sun baked mud and straw bricks covered by a layer of adobe mud or cement) insures that no two buildings ever look exactly the same. The dull tan color is perfectly adorned with brightly colored accessories, such as a blue window awning.

While new construction using adobe substitutes may offer greater practicality, they can rarely match the depth of charm and patina exuded by older adobe structures.

Particularly in downtown Albuquerque can one see a wonderful diversity of homes built using adobe and stucco in imaginative ways. Their simple charm is an essential element of Albuquerque style!