vigas

Vigas are large wooden beams used as structural elements in traditional adobe and Pueblo architecture of the Southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. The term is Spanish for beam.

In the vigas-and-latillas ceiling system, a row of vigas spans between walls, carrying the weight of the roof or ceiling. Latillas—thin, cylindrical branches laid perpendicular to the vigas—form a shallow deck that is plastered and finished from below.

Construction and appearance: vigas are typically hand-hewn logs, selected for straightness and strength. They may be rough-sawn, with the bark removed. In many historic buildings, vigas extend through exterior walls, with the ends visible inside and sometimes projecting outside as a decorative feature.

Materials: common species include ponderosa pine, juniper, and other native hardwoods, chosen for durability in arid climates.

Regional and stylistic context: vigas are a hallmark of Spanish Colonial, Territorial, and Pueblo Revival architecture. They are commonly seen in weathered interiors where the ceiling reveals a grid of vigas and latillas.

Modern usage: in restoration and new construction, vigas are preserved or replicated to maintain historic character. Engineered timbers may be used while weathering is simulated.