The hip is the angle formed at the intersection of the slopes. Another feature of this style is the use of a parapet, which is a low wall or railing around a balcony along the edge of a roof. Mission Revival buildings feature stucco walls with low, round arches resting on piers. Decorative string courses or horizontal bands often accent these arches. Another unique characteristic is the use of rafters as decorative elements.
Rafters are braces that support overhanging eaves.
These rafters are not hidden, but are exposed instead, adding decoration and character to the building's exterior. Atascosa County . This style, especially popular around the turn of the century and beyond, is widely used in public buildings. Its clean, symmetrical lines, which include large rectangular windows, are accented by large pediments and strong cornices at the base of the building's simple roof. The Governor's Mansion is an example of this type of architecture.