viga

(vē'gə)
n. Southwestern U.S.
A rafter or roofbeam, especially a trimmed and peeled tree trunk whose end projects from an outside adobe wall.

[American Spanish, from Spanish, perhaps from Latin bīga, team of horses, cart (from the long pole between the two horses).]

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In Spanish Colonial architecture and its derivatives, a log that has been stripped of its bark and unhewn; used as one of a number of roof beams spanning the width of a building between opposite adobe walls; usually evenly

vigas

spaced along the length of the walls; often round in cross section. Typically, the vigas are overlaid with small straight saplings that are covered by a reed matting; this combination supports a roof of dried mud or adobe.

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For a list of words related to viga, see:

• Structural and Decorative Elements - viga: heavy rafter or log that supports roof in native Indian and Spanish architecture (Southwest U.S.)
• Classical Elements and Design - viga: wooden beam that supports roof of adobe structure

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