1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Architecture

Architecture Inspired by Spain

By , About.com Guide

3 of 10

Mission Style Houses

Mission style house

Mission style houses have stucco walls, arches, and other details inspired by the Spanish mission churches of colonial America.

Photo © 2005 Jupiterimages Corporation
In many ways, the Spanish Eclectic homes built from 1915 to 1940 resemble the slightly earlier Mission Style houses. Mission architecture romanticized the simple Spanish churches of colonial America. Mission houses typically have red tile roofs, parapets, decorative railings, and carved stonework. But the twentieth century Spanish inspired styles proved to be more far reaching. Wild and expressive, this new fashion borrowed from the entire history of Spanish architecture, from Moorish to Byzantine to Renaissance.

Why the sudden explosive interest in all things español? According to historians, the excitement began with the opening of a canal.

Next > How a Canal Inspired Architects >

Explore Architecture

About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Make Your Own Scented Pine Cones

Bring a little of the fall season in your home with this easy-to-make craft. More >

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Architecture
  4. Periods & Styles
  5. Mission Style Houses - Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.