After the closing in April 2020, and armed with the results of the house inspection, a full assessment of the property was made. After this renovation plans were drawn up by Kokopelli Architects of New York and construction bids were collected from local contractors.

The property assessment was very straightforward. The original house was a painstakingly well built double wall adobe house built in a traditional, hand-built manner but using modern building techniques for the time it was built, circa 1930. Based on the quality of the construction, particularly the adobe craftsmanship, it is believed experienced tradesman from the Taos Pueblo were recruited by Tony Lujan. It is also believed the adobe bricks, which are double thickness through the entire original structure, were built on site as evidenced by a pit feature still discernible along the southern edge of the property, roughly mid-property line.

[picture of adobe pit]

Also when the first floor wood flooring and sub-floor was removed, the house footings were deep and made of concrete, an unusual feature of the time as they were normally just laid on level dirt. It appears the forms for the concrete footers were recycled and can used as the ceiling for the current car port.

Additionally, based on the previous installation of a forced hot air heating system that was subsequently replaced, the crawlspace between the ground floor sub-floor and the ground was pristine. A non-permeable finish material had been installed against the ground and covered with a charcoal, smell and moisture absorbing material had been recently installed to accommodate an airtight lock within the crawlspace for a ductless hot air return system. The system had been completely over-engineered, but makes for a very well maintained and pristine sub-floor to ground barrier.

The original part of the house was entirely double thickness adobe. Upon further inspection, it appeared that the kitchen, front entryway and master bedroom had been added after the original construction. Additionally, what is now the brick floored bedroom appears to have been originally a covered outdoor space that was walled in.

Additionally all of the doorways, hallways and support beams were very low and needed to be raised to modern standards. Additionally all of the first floor windows were very low and also needed to be raised to modern standards.

So the bones and structure of the house were excellent, but it appeared most of the systems inside the house needed replacing. On further inspection, it turned out all of the systems needed replacing.

After a lot of exploratory work on the structure it was determined that all mechanical, electrical, flooring, windows, inside plaster and exterior stucco would need replacing. This included all electric, gas, plumbing and heating systems. Additionally the original two bathrooms were removed and four new bathrooms were installed. In the end, the only part of the inside of the house that was not replaced were the viga and latilla ceilings.

The roof was inspected and outside of minor patching, was determined to be in good shape and not need replacing.



The property as purchased was a well built double adobe house built in a very traditional, hand built manner.


Ditch where bricks were made

Morada de Taos is was purchased as a 2963 square foot, 2 bed, 2 bath, single-family adobe construction home on 4.01 acres, in Taos, New Mexico. The estate was built in 1930 by Mabel Dodge Luhan and her husband Tony Lujan. Originally a one story dwelling, the property had multiple previous renovations and additions, including a second floor studio added on by Mabel Dodge Luhan as an artist’s loft. The property entails 4 acres in the heart of downtown Taos and has zoning for residential development up to 4 residential houses per acre [confirm this and what the technical zoning is].

All of the pictures below and the property summary were either directly quoted (in italics) or summarized from the realitor.com listing at the time.

From realtor.com - Once understood to be the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan, the eclectic Taos resident and her husband Tony Lujan, this home has grand style in the old traditions. Entering the sprawling Living Room and entertainment space, you can just feel the history and the old gatherings. Oversized vigas in the ceiling, and a traditional kiva fireplace in the corner, set the tone for this room.

Just outside and up a private staircase, is Mabel's fabulous window filled studio. Inspiring vistas from up here include clear views of Taos Mountain to the North and East, and for our sunsets, to the West. From here the view of the surrounding four acres, with trees and mature landscaping, is really impressive too.

The main home has an intimate kitchen with lots of cabinet and pantry space for storage. Next to the kitchen is a well- appointed dining area, located just off the grand Sala. On the opposite side of the house the Master Suite is located, along with a library or sitting room, and a cozy second bedroom with kiva fireplace. There is an attached carport, and a large detached two car garage for additional storage and options. This estate home really has to be seen to appreciate the characteristics, style and attention to detail. We did mention the 4 ACRES in the middle of town, filled with mature trees, but really come have a look.

Property features

Bedrooms

  • Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms

  • Total Bathrooms: 2/0

  • Full Bathrooms: 2

Heating and Cooling

  • Fireplace Features: SouthWest, Three

  • Heating Features: Fireplace, Forced Air, Solar Passive

Interior Features

  • Flooring: Brick, Wood

Waterfront and Water Access

  • Water Body Name: Irrigation Ditch

Exterior and Lot Features

  • Patio And Porch Features: Patio, Portal

Garage and Parking

  • Driveway: Gravel

  • Garage Spaces: 2

  • Garage Description: Garage Detached

Land Info

  • Lot Size Acres: 4.01

  • Lot Size Square Feet: 174676

School Information

  • Elementary School: Taos Elementary

  • Middle School: Taos

Other Property Info

  • Annual Tax Amount: 7516

  • Source Listing Status: Sold

  • Source Property Type: Single Family

  • Area: TOWN OF TAOS (45A)

  • Source Neighborhood: TOWN OF TAOS (45A)

  • Zoning: 4 Units

  • Source System Name: C2C

Building and Construction

  • Total Square Feet Living: 2963

  • Building Exterior Type: Stucco

  • Construction Materials: Adobe

  • Foundation Details: Yes

  • Roof: Roof Type: Flat, Roof Material: Brai Type

  • Levels or Stories: Two Story

  • Structure Type: RESIDENTIAL

Utilities

  • Electric: Yes

  • Gas: Natural

  • Sewer: Town

*listing photos and excerpt from realtor.com