Architectural Designs

What style of architecture is my house?

I have just purchased a new home, I love it but I can't figure out what style it is. I have seen many similar houses throughout the southern and southwestern United States but I can't figure out what it is and no amount of searching has brought up houses like this. Here is a description: Located in the Southwestern US Built in 1976 completely original everything, like a time warp. It is a custom home (R4 grade) which is on a mountain side The home has stucco exterior walls and a flat foam roof. It has a built up facade around the edge of the roof so it looks taller and no roof features like A/C units and ducting are visible. There are no lodge poles or spanish tiles on the house. It is not, Spanish, Mediterranean, Pueblo or Santa Fe. The house has slanted maple or cedar planks around the entry way and on other non load bearing exterior walls. This slanted plank is something I consider very 70's or early 80's but have only seen on more ranch looking homes before. On the interior, the house has an atrium when you walk in the front door. It has a rubble stone fireplace as a focal point It has a very open floor plan, you can see the whole living space from anyplace in the house but rooms are defined by elevation. The ceiling is made from very heavy square beams with the same cedar planking as on the exterior as the ceiling cover. There are some 70's version arts and crafts lighting fixtures in the home but I don't feel they really go with the home. There are also the hanging lights which feel almost more 60's. All kitchens and baths have tile counter tops and two tone wood cabinetry. The interior walls are all white plaster, hand smeared smooth. Floor is shag carpet. Lots of windows. If anyone has any keywords I could use to try searching for what style my house is, aside from 70's which is really not helping me, I would be so appreciative. Thank you for that info, I was trying desperately to remember that word, Parapet :) Is there a word for that 1970's style with the 45 degree slanted wood planks then? Those are to me the most defining feature of the house.

Public Comments

1. You do not have to have "style" in mind when you build a house. I've built many custom homes that do not fit into a certain style. Mostly because my homeowners know they like this from their friend Suzi's house, and that from the building down the street etc... What you end up with is a house that doesn't really reflect any specific style. The, "built up facade around the edge of the roof" is called a parapet. It tends to be used on more Early California Spanish / Santa Barbara style homes. Usually it's the roof that defines the style more then anything else. Sorry, I know I'm not much help.