6 Section 1 Architectural Drafting Fundamentals
20′ wide, and 20′ tall and were used as perma-
nent shelter to house up to 60 family members.
See Figure  1-4. Depending on the region, the
longhouse evolved into many forms. Some had
thatched roofs. Others, such as the chickee used
by the Seminoles, had roofs supported by poles,
but the sides were left open. In the Northwest
coastal region, a heavy, timber-framed structure
with a gabled roof covered with fl at wood planks
was typical.
Adobe
The Pueblo Indians in the Southwest used
adobe brick with stone, earth, and timber to
build their houses. Adobe is a natural building
material made of water, sand, clay, and straw
mixed together, then formed into the desired
shape. The Pueblo Indians built fl at-roofed
dwellings that were multiple stories high. The
buildings were joined together in rows much
like townhouses to create a shared environment.
See Figure 1-5. The thick adobe walls supported
a roof system consisting of earth and large
horizontal timbers that extended beyond the
perimeter of the walls. Adobe dwellings later
became the inspiration for Spanish Colonial,
Spanish Eclectic, southwestern, and eco-friendly
houses. The adobe process is still used through-
out the world.
Earthen Houses
In the Great Plains and Eastern Woodlands,
many dwellings were constructed of earth or sod.
See Figure 1-6. The hogans built by the Navajo,
the earth lodges built by the Sioux, and the pit
houses on the West Coast are all examples of
earthen houses. The igloo was a variation of an
earthen house that was made of snow and ice.
Earthen houses were often built partially under-
ground. The timber framework was covered
with a layered system of smaller sticks, long
grasses, woven mats, and earth. It was common
for the earth to be covered in sod. An opening
at the top allowed light into the windowless
structure while allowing smoke to escape from
the fi re pit below.
SF photo/Shutterstock.com
Figure 1-4. An example of an Iroquois longhouse.
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