Who we are
how it all started
Pat Taylor, who has dedicated his lifetime to rescuing historic adobe structures, grew increasingly concerned watching Mesilla’s buildings slowly succumb to time. In 2023, a friend showed him a deteriorating wall in his home, sparking a vital discussion about how to properly help residents save their historic properties. This effort is critical because many contractors use incorrect materials for adobe repair, which only exacerbates the deterioration of these vulnerable, historic homes.
From this idea, an organization was conceived to address both structural integrity and community need. Its purpose is to guide property owners in correctly restoring their historic structures, while simultaneously providing relief to vulnerable homeowners, such as the elderly, who lack the funds for necessary repairs. Ultimately, the mission is to prevent the dying art of traditional adobe work from being lost by sharing this skill and expertise with new generations.
our querencia
sustainability and environment
A key principle of earthen architecture is its complete sustainability and minimal environmental impact. Adobe structures utilize locally sourced, simple components—primarily mud and straw. This makes adobe highly renewable, as any building that ultimately fails naturally returns to the earth, allowing the materials to be reused indefinitely or safely integrated into the soil.
future impact
We believe earthen architecture is essential for the future, especially as humanity grapples with material scarcity, overflowing landfills, and population growth. It offers a sustainable way to provide housing and business structures that can be built and dismantled with the lowest possible environmental impact.
Cultural and Community Significance of Adobe in New Mexico
Adobe is far more than just a building material in New Mexico; it is a foundational element of the state’s cultural identity and community heritage . For centuries, the practice of mixing earth, straw, and water to build homes and community structures has linked New Mexicans to the land and to generations past, embodying the region’s history and the architectural legacy of both Indigenous Pueblo peoples and Spanish settlers. Adobe construction fostered a strong sense of community because building a house (or a casa) was traditionally a communal effort, often requiring the participation of family, friends, and neighbors to prepare and lay the sun-dried bricks. The distinctive, organic forms and cool interiors of adobe buildings define the visual character of historic areas across the state, creating a unique and recognizable sense of place that continues to draw people together and reinforce the deep, tangible connection between the people of New Mexico and the sustainable earth beneath their feet.
The project’s initial shared concept resonated deeply within the Mesilla community, drawing nearly 100 people to its inaugural meeting. This support fueled the rapid establishment of Querencia Mi Mesilla Inc. in 2023, with restoration work beginning right away. The organization received immediate and extensive interest from homeowners needing service and individuals seeking internships. Following the establishment of a small founding board in 2023 and the completion of its 501(c)(3) status in 2024 , the organization is currently laying the groundwork for a long-term, viable operation and funding with ambitions that span local and international outreach.
birth of a nonprofit
