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Southwest U.S. Housing Traditions

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Traditional Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo housing
in the Southwest reflects ages-old experience in
developing housing that meets the challenges of a hot and
arid climate. "Southwest Housing Traditions: Design,
Materials, Performance" is a new HUD publication that
assesses the relevance of traditional Southwestern
building designs and materials for the contemporary
housing needs of low-income residents of U.S.-Mexico
border communities. Maintaining a sufficient supply of
affordable housing is a challenge in these localities,
due to such factors as climate, geography, and lack of an
advanced infrastructure.

This research focuses on identifying home construction
methods and materials that will maximize scarce
resources, be cost-competitive, and use energy
efficiently. The report contains case studies of
architectural design used in traditional Southwestern
housing. Pictures and diagrams illustrate centuries-old
design principles for building in the desert. Methods
used in erecting walls of adobe, rammed earth, and straw
bales are detailed and illustrated, along with a review
of foundation and roof systems. It contains results of
testing the structural and thermal performance of
different wall systems. Finally, the study offers
prototypes of contemporary designs, based on traditional
principles, for a typical affordable home. Prototypes are
shown within the context of neighborhood plans that
illustrate possible densities, arrangements, and public
spaces.

This report is a useful tool for making adaptations to
widely accepted construction techniques. "Southwest
Housing Traditions" can be downloaded for free at
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/destech/SWhousingtraditions.html
and is also available in printed form at
https://webstore.huduser.gov/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8105
or by calling HUD USER at 1-800-245-2691.
****** Please note that, owing to higher-than-usual
production costs, this publication is being made
available at $20 per copy, including shipping & handling.

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Please contact us at:
HUD USER
P.O. Box 23268
Washington, DC 20026-3268
1-800-245-2691
1-800-927-7589 (TDD)
202-708-9981 (fax)
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