Stuccoed in Time

The '429- Stuccoed in Time' episode of '99% Invisible' begins with the story of architect Trey Jordan's experience building a house in Santa Fe's historic district. His design, while adhering to Pueblo Revival style guidelines, incorporated a custom stucco color and sharper corners than traditional designs. The house's modern touches led to controversy, culminating in an act of vandalism where 'Nazi architecture' was graffitied on the building. This incident highlights the tension between architectural preservation and innovation in Santa Fe. The podcast delves into the city's history, explaining how in the early 20th century, Santa Fe's leaders sought to promote tourism by mandating the Pueblo Revival style for new buildings, a move aimed at creating a distinctive architectural identity. Architect John Gaw Meem became a key figure in this movement, modernizing Pueblo architecture with new materials while maintaining the style's traditional aesthetic. As Santa Fe's popularity grew, driven by its unique look, the city faced a wave of gentrification. Wealthy newcomers bought historic homes, leading to displacement of long-term Hispanic residents. Preservation efforts, while successful in maintaining the city's aesthetic, had unintended consequences, contributing to a lack of affordable housing and a change in the community's demographic makeup. The episode also touches on the broader implications of historic preservation, including its impact on community character and affordability, and the challenges of balancing growth with heritage conservation.