Live in the manner of renowned Santa Fe architect John Gaw Meem at Casa Tatum, Santa Fe vacation rental with Aqui Santa Fe. His simple but elegant interpretation of pueblo design with earthen white against traditional adobe is its honest beauty. Renovated by McDowell Fine Homes with consistent attention to detail so perfectly preserves the integrity of its original 1939 design. A country setting just minutes from Museum Hill in the heart of Santa Fe assures close proximity to town but yet a bit off the beaten path across the road from Dale Ball Trailheads. The peaceful land with a mountain view in the distance, the perfection of today’s modernization, and the quiet of country living provide the perfect respite. The exterior landscaping is just as important with the generous courtyard complete with its own magnificent outdoor kitchen for casual entertaining. Caress the warm breezes of summer on the west portal with a view of the mountains in the distance and walk the paths of this historical setting.
John Law Meem, Renowned Santa Fe Architect
John Gaw Meem came to Santa Fe seeking the healing virtues of the dry Southwestern climate, which many people with tuberculosis found to be a restorative cure. He thrived in New Mexico and is known for his pivotal role in shaping the Pueblo Revival Style of architecture, a design aesthetic that remains prevalent in Santa Fe homes Today. Meem is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential architects to have worked in New Mexico, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to define the region’s architectural landscape.
Meem was among the first architects to embrace Regionalism, a movement that would come to shape architecture in the 1920s and 1930s. Drawing from his more eclectic intellect, he combined traditional architectural elements such as battered walls, vigas, and stepped parapets with modern building techniques and materials, creating a unique aesthetic that evoked a particular mood without directly imitating the past. Meem later expanded his focus to the preservation of historic buildings, laying a strong foundation for his future architectural endeavors, many of which earned historic designation.
John Gaw Meem’s impact on Santa Fe was profound. Not only did he design some of the city’s most iconic buildings, but he also led the committee responsible for the 1957 Historical Zoning Ordinance. This pivotal law ensured that all future construction in central Santa Fe adhered to the region’s vernacular style.
While this strict adherence to a singular building tradition faced criticism in the “City Different,” Meem’s design principles continue to influence new developments in Santa Fe today.