Helping you go beyond what you can imagine
“Gayla brought to the table creative input that consistently made my own ideas better. Her interface with the city, creation of plans, and thorough knowledge of the code laws allowed a glitch free approval process. She has a deep understanding of traditional NM style but is capable of seamlessly adding more contemporary elements if desired, without losing what attracts us all to SF. If you are building in the historic district, her knowledge and expertise will be invaluable when getting through that extra review, and staying true to design elements that ensure that you have an outcome that is both personally satisfying and true to the community’s history. I recommend her without reservation.”
-Brian Hill
VietVet CEO
“Gayla brought to the table creative input that consistently made my own ideas better. Her interface with the city, creation of plans, and thorough knowledge of the code laws allowed a glitch free approval process. She has a deep understanding of traditional NM style but is capable of seamlessly adding more contemporary elements if desired, without losing what attracts us all to SF. If you are building in the historic district, her knowledge and expertise will be invaluable when getting through that extra review, and staying true to design elements that ensure that you have an outcome that is both personally satisfying and true to the community’s history. I recommend her without reservation.”
-Brian Hill
VietVet CEO
Free Guide!
Building in the Historic Districts of Santa Fe
This valuable guide divides up the process of building in the historic districts in stages so that you will have a better understanding of getting approvals, the acceptable styles and also an idea of how to proceed with your project.
The right information at the right time is everything.
Needs and Options Review
She is my favorite architect in town. She is practical and elegant.
We love our spaces you designed for us. With one meeting you knew exactly what we wanted.
Thank you for listening. Boy, did we accomplish a lot! Impressive!! I can’t wait to move in.
About Gayla Bechtol Architect
Gayla Bechtol started her eponymous architecture firm located in Santa Fe, New Mexico to help her clients go beyond what they can imagine from traditional to contemporary. She gained her formal education at University of Texas, Southern California and Harvard University Graduate School of Design and continues to pursue knowledge and creativity every day in the context of the beauty of the built and natural world. We created our site to help you get the right information at the right time. Enjoy! We look forward to hearing from you.
Historic Cultural Properties Inventory
One of the challenges of buying and building in the Historic Districts of Santa Fe is knowing if your building is considered protected by the Preservation laws of the City and State. As a Certified Historic Architect in New Mexico I am qualified to perform a Historic Cultural Properties Inventory and make a recommendation to the Governing Body. If your survey is older than 1991 I recommend conducting a status review. If you need an HCPI please contact me here.
Latest Practice News and Articles
No. 26 | Urban Sense: Diffusing the Power of the Status Quo
In the September edition of The Santa Fe New
No. 25 | Urban Sense: The Tectonics of Change
In the July edition of The Santa Fe New
No. 24 | Urban sense: Excavating the Future
In the February edition of The Santa Fe New