The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre, of New Orleans is renowned for its distinct architecture and distinct styles, including the Shotgun and Creole Cottages. These homes were built as a means of escape from the harsh elements, danger, and tight spaces in the city as well as to capitalize on available natural light, breeze, and the courtyard technique. These homes are now celebrated architectural gems that showcase a unique New Orleans style and beauty. The Shotgun house is a narrow rectangular house usually one room wide with several rooms laid out in a row. The typical Shotgun house includes a living room at the front, one or two bedrooms, and a kitchen at the back. While some Shotgun houses were painted plain colors, many included beautiful details such as stained glass and balconies. The Creole Cottage is a one-story home with covered front and side galleries. This French-inspired home is often hipped or jerkinhead roofed with a gable at the rear side of the house. The Creole Cottage includes many Asian-influenced features such as wide eaves and stuccoed or covered walls.French Quarter House Plans: Shotgun and Creole Cottage
The traditional and historic houses of New Orleans can be divided into three distinct categories: Creole, Cajun, and French Quarter architecture. Each type of architecture has its own unique features and design elements. The Creole house is inspired by French and Spanish Colonial styles and many are brick or stucco with a side entrance. The hipped and jerkinhead roof, wide eaves, and galleries are the most distinguishing features of this type of home. Creole homes are one or two stories high, often with a courtyard, and often include a wrap-around porch or balcony on the upper level. The Cajun house is based on traditional French styles, usually exhibiting a simple vernacular design. The most characteristic features of this style are the single gable roof, wide eaves, and wrap-around porches on the lower level. The Cajun home is often square or rectangular with two stories and a wrap-around front porch.Historic Home Plans: New Orleans Creole and Cajun Houses
The French Quarter style of house plans is inspired by the traditional French Quarter architecture of New Orleans. The styles are characterized by embellished facades with intricate details such as ironwork, galleries, balconies, high-pitched roofs, and steep gables. French Quarter style house plans are typically two stories with a center hall entryway, asymmetrical façades, and sometimes wrap-around galleries. The interior layout of French Quarter style house plans is often asymmetrical, with many separate rooms. Common details include fireplaces, interior courtyards, and barrel vaulted ceilings. High-pitched roofs emphasize the steep gables of the façade, while galleries have often been added to the rear of the home for additional living space.French Quarter Style House Plans
New Orleans Cottage style house plans are influenced by the architectural traditions of the French Quarter. This style is characterized by low-slung roofs, dormer windows, and deep porches. These homes are one-and-a-half to two stories with steep gables, high ceilings, and asymmetrical facades with galleries and other embellishments. The floors of these homes may be laid out asymmetrically, featuring many different rooms. Common features inside the home include large fireplaces, woodwork, and central courtyards. Some homes may feature wrap-around galleries for additional outdoor living space.New Orleans Cottage Style House Plans
The Creole Cottage style of architecture was first introduced in the early 19th century. This style is characterized by wide eaves, large side entrances, hipped or jerkinhead roofs, and galleries. The homes often featured stucco walls and windows with shuttered casements. The style of Creole Cottage is seen in both the interior and exterior of the house. Common interior features include high ceilings, wood paneling, ironwork details, and fireplaces. Exterior features are equally impressive, with intricate detailing and large wrap-around galleries.Creole Cottage Architecture and Home Design
The Shotgun house is one of the most unique and popular home styles in New Orleans. The style is a rectangular one-room wide structure with rooms laid out in a row. The typical Shotgun house includes a living room at the front, one or two bedrooms, and a kitchen at the back. Common features of the house include stained glass, balconies, and tall windows. The traditional Shotgun house floor plans feature narrow hallways and long entrances. Other features include interior courtyards, hallways, and side entrances, as well as tall ceilings and wood flooring. Shotgun houses are often painted in sun-drenched colors to enhance their unique character.Shotgun House Floor Plans and Design
Modern Shotgun houses incorporate traditional design elements with modern amenities, such as high ceilings, open floor plans with plenty of storage, and large windows to take advantage of natural light. These features work together to create homes that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Modern Shotgun house plans often include one or two stories and wrap-around porches on the side. They also feature other modern amenities like energy-efficient appliances, fireplaces, and efficient heating and cooling systems.Modern Shotgun House Design
The Garden District, located outside of the French Quarter in New Orleans, is known for its unique architecture and distinctive styles. This style is characterized by narrow brick façades, deep porches, and steep slate roofs. The Garden District style also typically includes ornamental ironwork around windows and doors as well as beautiful gardens. Garden District house plans are large and include two or three stories with tall ceilings, large windows, and wrap-around porches. Interiors often feature spacious living rooms, numerous bedrooms, and hallways that open onto a courtyard. Common features include ironwork details, fireplaces, and wood flooring.New Orleans Garden District Home Plans
The Royal Street House Plan is a historic home in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This home is distinctive for its unique architectural style, which includes steep gables, tall windows, high ceilings, and intricately designed galleries, balconies, and porches. This home is also steeped in centuries of history and has a recent renovation that has maintained the home’s unique architecture and character. The Royal Street House Plan features a traditional center hallway with four bedrooms, a living room, and a formal dining room. The interior of the home also offers several modern features, such as energy-efficient appliances, hardwood floors, and modern fixtures. The exterior also has stunning details such as balconies, intricate ironwork, and a spacious garden.The Royal Street House Plan: A Historic New Orleans Home
The French Quarter of New Orleans is home to a variety of unique house designs, ranging from the traditional Shotgun house to the Creole Cottage and the French Quarter style. Each style reflects the local history and culture of the area, while also providing a unique and beautiful view of the city. The Shotgun house is characterized by its narrow rectangular shape, while the Creole Cottage is a one-story home with a covered front and side galleries. The French Quarter style is characterized by its intricate details, high-pitched roofs, and wrap-around galleries. All of these styles offer a gorgeous view of the city while providing a historic and unique architectural experience.House Designs of the French Quarter