The idea for my blog started in Tucson, Arizona last Fall.  My appreciation for its architectural beauty had been growing over the years, and the desire to share it led me here.  So, it’s only fitting that my first design article should be on Tucson.  I chose to focus on the neighborhood known as Barrio Historico (Also known as Barrio Libre), located south of downtown Tucson.  The Barrio speaks to Tucson’s Spanish-Mexican heritage, to community and to the importance of historical preservation.  

The first structures began to appear in the Barrio in the mid to late 1800s. Predominantly Sonoran in architectural style, the one story row houses consisted of thick adobe walls rich in texture and color.  Exterior doors were usually placed flush with the interior walls, creating a unique recessed entry when viewed from the outside.  Urban renewal programs in the late 1960s led to the demolition of nearly half of these homes.  Thanks to the passionate voices of many willing to fight for the Barrio, historical status was established in 1978.  Preservation soon followed.  There are currently over 200 properties, residential and commercial, on the 20 blocks that make up the Barrio Historico.  

I was honored to collaborate on this article with my sister & brother-in-law, Julie Freshwater and Thomas Pritchett, both Tucson residents and multi-talented artists.  They introduced me to the Barrio many years ago and they have provided all of the photography you see above.  For additional information or photos, leave a reply below, and I’ll get back to you.  I hope you enjoy!  

More posts to come…