In 16th century New Spain (roughly corresponding to today's Mexico), mendicant friars (Franciscans, Augustinians, and Dominicans) built monastic complexes as part of an ambitious campaign to convert the Indians to Christianity. There is a general pattern of churches with the presbitery to the east and the main facade to the west. In the central highlands and other regions, the cloister was usually placed to the south of the church, thus receiving more sun, which is important for chilly winter weather. In warmer climates, like the Yucatán peninsula (close to sea level), the cloister was often placed to the north of the church; I speculate that this was done to have more shade on the cloister, since it can get really hot in this region.

In front of the church and the portal gving access to the cloister, there was usually a large enclosed open space, called today the atrium (usually called "patio" in the sixteenth century). The atrium was a space for teaching the rudiments of the catholic doctrine to the masses. This space often had processonal chapels in the corners and an open chapel adjoining the cloister. The open chapel served as the presbitery for open-air masses, since the natives didn't fit in the churches on Sundays and holy days, before epidemics, violence, and other factors reduced native population to around 10% of preconquest levels.

Behind (to the east) of the chuch and cloister was a walled orchard, where botanical knowledge was transmitted between natives and Europeans; this aspect of the evangelization of New Spain has been largely overlooked and merits further research.