Building A Brick House In Mexico

I have always been very curious about building in Mexico and 

this winter I have been trying to learn more about the various facets.

To see how the bricks are made go to the post:

Making Fired Bricks In Alamos, Sonora.

 They rarely use wood because of termites and the cost of lumber.

(Please Note: This is a reworking of the post

Building Mexico from 2/23/10.)

Adobes In Ruins In Alamos, Sonora

We happened to notice this old adobe ruins 

along one of our walking routes in Alamos.

Fixer Upper In Alamos, Sonora

We met some folks from New Mexico 

who were fixing up this house in Alamos, Sonora 

and they invited us over to take a look.

Pat and Steve live part of the year in Abiquiu, New Mexico 

and and the rest of the time here.

As we approach the house on a steep hill we notice how they have

terraced it off creating lots of space on different levels.

Stone And Concrete Walls Made With Forms

 Ever sense I first read about using a form to build a stone wall in the early 70's

 in the book Living the Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing

 I thought it could be a good idea in the right situations.

 While we were in Alamos, Sonora recently there was a fellow 

who was doing just that with a  retaining wall 

and much of it would be covered up so looks were not a priority. 

Making Fired Bricks In Alamos, Sonora

While we were in Alamos, Sonora a couple of years ago

 our friend David found this brick making operation

 near the campground where we were staying.

Being familiar with making adobe bricks,

 I had always wanted to see how bricks were taken to the next step of firing them,

and the guys working here were more than happy to show us the ropes.

Details In Alamos, Sonora

I want to show a few photos that I like from Alamos

 that didn't fit in any other posts.

Above the color combinations, carved stone,

 and the formed plaster are striking.

Skylights In Sonora

My previous post was on Roof Treatments In Alamos, Sonora 

and the one immediately before that was Ceiling Treatments In Alamos, Sonora.

Please scroll down to see them or go to:

Ceiling Treatments In Alamos, Sonora and
Roof Treatments In Alamos, Sonora.

Now let's look at skylights.

Here in Alamos skylights are often used in remodeling

 as the old homes can be quite dark.

But they are not the type of skylights we are used to in the states.

Roof Treatments In Alamos, Sonora

If you go back to the previous post you will see ceilings;
Ceiling Treatments In Alamos, Sonora.

Now let's look at how they do the roof here.

Above is an older roof made of fired bricks.

Ceiling Treatments In Alamos, Sonora

Ever since the post Adobe Fixer Upper In Alamos, Part 2

 way back on January 22nd I have wanted to show

 some ceilings here in Alamos.

Building Mexico, More Update

I want to include a nice detail to the last post: 

Building Mexico Update.

and to the post from last year on this house:

Building Mexico.

In the photo above you can see the curved column 

that will hold up an arch.

Building Mexico Update

Almost a year ago I did a post on the typical building style here
which is a concrete post and beam with brick infill.

Please refer to Building Mexico from February 23th, 2010

 to see the beginnings of the above house.

In this post we will concentrate on the bond beam.

Fence And Wall Ideas From Alamos, Sonora

I want to show a couple ideas for garden fences

 that I have seen around town.

Old Adobes

In the past month or so we have passed by three old adobe houses.

Templo De La Purisima Concepcion

During the recent music festival many of the concerts were held in,

 and around, the Templo de la Purisima Concepcion

 and I would look at it amazement at what an incredible building it is.

Windows In Alamos, Sonora

This will be the third consecutive post in my trilogy

 on woodworking in Alamos.

Doors In Alamos, Sonora

Since my last post was on a woodworking shop in Alamos,
Carpinteria Rosas, 

let's look at some doors since that is the best access I have

 to some of the incredible woodworking they do here.

Ruins Of The Governors Mansion

Most every day that we walk into town from our trailer park

 we pass this old ruin and would wonder what is this?

What happened here?

Cement Trim And Brick Floor Detail

You may remember this photo above, 

from a post I did on Ernesto and Elena's remodel 

on a very old house in Alamos, Sonora.

I want to get back to technique;

 and when I took the photo Ernesto had said he wanted to trim out

 the base columns for the archway into the kitchen.

The Understated Kitchen In Alamos

In sharp contrast to the previous post which was somewhat ornate,

 is this kitchen that Doug has just finished remodeling.

Design Elements In A Stately Old Alamos Home

We were fortunate to be invited into Sam and Carol's home

 here in Alamos, Sonora.