New Orleans Style Creole and Shotgun Cottages Will Get You To Visit NOLA

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New Orleans is known for its unique and eclectic architecture, which reflects the city’s rich history and diverse cultural influences. One of the most interesting architectural styles found in the city is the Creole and the Shotgun style cottages , a type of vernacular architecture that was popular in the early 19th century.

History

The origins of the Creole cottage style can be traced back to the French and Spanish colonial periods, when small, single-story houses with thick brick walls and steeply pitched roofs were common in New Orleans. Over time, these traditional styles were adapted to local conditions, with features such as raised foundations, wide overhanging eaves, and louvered shutters added to provide protection from the city’s hot and humid climate.

Shotgun houses were built during the 19th century in response to the need for affordable housing for working-class families. They were designed to maximize space and ventilation, while minimizing construction costs. As a result, they are typically only one room wide and several rooms deep, with a simple, straightforward layout.

Shotgun style architecture is another unique and iconic architectural style found throughout the historic neighborhoods of New Orleans. Shotgun houses are long, narrow houses with a series of rooms arranged in a linear fashion, one behind the other, without any hallways. This means that you can stand at the front door and see all the way to the back of the house, giving the shotgun its name.

Functionality and Adaptability

One of the defining features of the Creole cottage is the use of a specific type of building material known as bousillage. Bousillage is a mixture of mud, moss, and animal hair that is used to fill the spaces between the wooden structural members of the house. This material provides excellent insulation, helping to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

One of the most interesting aspects of shotgun houses is their adaptability. Over the years, these houses have been transformed to meet the changing needs of their owners. Some have been expanded, with additional rooms added to the back or side of the house. Others have been split into multiple units, with each room serving as a separate apartment. Some have even been raised up and had a first floor added beneath them, creating a two-story house.

Another notable feature of Creole cottages is their use of color. Many of these houses are painted in bright, vibrant colors, with pastel hues such as pink, yellow, and blue being particularly popular. This use of color adds to the overall charm and character of these unique homes, and is one of the reasons why they are so beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Today, shotgun houses are a beloved part of New Orleans’ architectural heritage, and can be found in many of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Many have been restored and repurposed as single-family homes, while others have been converted into shops, restaurants, and other commercial spaces. Walking through the streets of New Orleans and admiring the many different variations of shotgun houses is a wonderful way to experience the city’s unique blend of history, culture, and architecture.