Biography of a Building: New Insights into the Construction of the Fathers' Dwelling, An Archaeological and Historical Resume

Abstract

BEFORE ing today, it is customary to prepare a large number of drawings to show the client, to instruct the various craftsmen who are to build it, and to obtain a building permit. Then it is usually built as a unit, rather than constructed a bit at a time. This has not always been the case, and it certainly was not the case during the period when missions were built in Spanish and Mexican California. Rarely were any drawings made or even required. The client, who was the missionary, would explain what was wanted directly to whomever was in charge of the construction; the artisans built as they had been trained or knew from experience, and there was no building department to require a permit. Finally, most structures were built in stages, depending on needs and resources. Although a final completed building may have been envisioned, it was more or less based on a traditional design rather than a clearly defined drawn plan.