Mission Revival Spanish Architecture

The Mission Revival style is influenced by Spanish mission churches and Pueblo building designs.

Mission Revival homes often have simple, unadorned facades with smooth stucco-covered walls, arched doorways, and curved parapets that extend over the roof. They typically include low-pitched gable or hip roofs with red tiles, long overhangs (eaves) and exposed rafters.

There are many window shapes, including arched windows, Baroque quatrefoil and rose windows, and narrow rectangular windows. Most are deeply inset and generally do not have window sills. Decorative vents may be featured as well. In addition to windows and doorways, arches are also commonly used for arcaded porches and courtyard passages. You may even see blind arches embedded in walls as decorative elements.

The Mission Revival style shares similarities with Spanish Colonial Revival and Pueblo Revival architecture, but it has its own unique combination of features. Shapely parapets are a distinct component of the style. Included on the front and sometimes sides of a home, this feature is directly inspired by the facades seen on old Spanish missions. Other distinguishing features include wide roof eaves, exposed wooden beams, and on occasion, towers that may be topped with round or square turrets. These resemble the bell towers on mission churches.

In addition to historic homes, there are many new houses inspired by Spanish Mission architecture. Some accurately capture its original look, while others have more modern designs that take only a few key elements from the style.