Theory: Exterior materiality as related to interior space

The Mayan site of Uxmal is noted to be one of the most representative sites of a style of architecture known as the "Puuc" style. This style consists of structures that are decorated with with veneer stones which are ultimately set into a concrete core. The facades of these buildings can be categorized with having distinguished lower and upper exterior characteristics. The lower portion of these facades were discovered to be blank with a flat surface of rectangular blocks. These blocks were punctuated with openings that allowed movement into the structure. The upper facades consisted of intricate stone mosaics along with alternating repeated geometric elements that took on a more elaborate figurative sculpture. Long nosed masks that symbolized the Mayan rain god, known as Chaac, are commonly found on many of these detailed facades. The allowance of these decorated facades is ultimately due to the use of the concrete core, which is considered an architectural advance in relation to earlier Mayan techniques of using larger stones stacked with limestone and plaster for structural support. This intelligent masonry enabled the Mayans to make use of slightly larger and more stable interior rooms.