Louisiana Vernacular House Styles
The early settlers of Louisiana, arriving by water, brought with them their cultures, lifestyles, religions and methods of building and developed a unique architecture in response to the climate and geography.
In general, houses from this era have the first floor raised above the ground, steeply pitched roofs, tall windows that touch the floor, or French doors, and relatively simple forms that can have added wings and elements.
In this Pattern Book, we call this indigenous style Louisiana Vernacular. Within
that general category are many variations, including Acadian-influenced, Creole-influenced and Anglicized versions of each. These can be classified by plan type as documented by many scholars including Jay Edwards, Lloyd Vogt and others.
This Pattern Book classifies them by massing, roof form and the arrangement
of elements such as windows and porches.
Creole-influenced building types include cottages, shotguns, camelbacks, large palatial houses and townhouses, many of which include galleries and accommodate a mix of uses. There are a variety of roof forms including hips, double hips and gables. Porches are either added or within a double pitch.
Acadian-influenced houses are always side-gabled. Most often seen in rural settings, these houses are simple but beautifully proportioned and carefully built. Building types include cottages, large houses, small buildings and churches. Steeply pitched gable roofs with porches cut into the volume of the house are the most dominant visual elements.
Anglicized Versions of these building types are more symmetrical, have center or side halls and have a close relationship between windows and doors. Illustrations include recently built examples as well as historic ones to illustrate the enduring nature of these traditions.
Essential Elements
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Deep one- and two-story porches.
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High ceilings with vertically proportioned column bays and wall openings
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French doors and full length windows on the ground floor with tall shutters
- First floors raised above the ground
 | | Acadian-Influenced Vernacular. From the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book. |
 | | Creole-influenced Vernacular. From the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book. |
 | | Green Building Vernacular. From the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book. |
 | | Vernacular Porch Types. From the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book. |
 | | Vernacular Windows and Doors. From the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book. |
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| Posted on: 6/25/2007 12:13:06 PM |
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