When searching for unique home plans all one has to do is look at the landscape of America and the numerous styles of architecture that are offered. For centuries people have migrated from around the world to the United States and have brought with them history, tradition, customs, design and style. These individuals have left their mark permanently by blending their style to create a unique architectural style known as French Creole, or Acadian as it is also known.

The meaning of the word “Creole” has changed over time. Once it meant offspring of French aristocrats born in the New World and is now defined as a style that borrows influences from French, Spanish, African, Native American and others. The combination of these cultures blended with styles from France, the Caribbean, as well as American Colonial style that was developed in the early 1700s, reflects a mixture that it truly evolved in America into French Creole architecture, also know as Acadian.

French Creole style homes have become world famous and renowned for their unique characteristics. They are very popular in the hot, wet climate of the Mississippi Valley, especially Louisiana, but can also be found in America’s Southern states like Florida, Southern Alabama, the Carolinas, Texas and many parts of the Caribbean. There are many types of Creole represented homes including the popular Shotgun House, the graceful Plantation Home, the cozy Creole Cottage and the prestigious Southern Colonial Style.

The typical French Creole homes are usually built with the following characteristics:

-        Timber frame with brick or “bousillage”, a mixture of mud, moss and animal hair

-        Wide hipped roofs that extend over porches

-        Thin wooden columns that support the roof

-        Principal rooms well above grade

-        Generous porches referred to as “galleries”

-        No interior hallways so porches were used as passageways between the rooms

-        Multiple French doors

Quite simple in design, the French Creole home is small, built with wood and usually only one-story high. The floor is set on piers that are well off the ground to avoid damage from surrounding bodies of water that may flood the living quarters and damage the home. The roof style has a low slope that extends well past the interior thus creating a wide porch. The raised home and covered porch helps create a cooler entrance to the home and add comfort for the homeowners.

Other stately styles of French Creole include Plantation and Colonial Styles. These are better defined as French Colonial and usually included a wide front porch and a second floor balcony, both extending the length of the façade. Striking wrought iron balconies were forged by Creole blacksmiths and added a Spanish Victorian style. As this fusion of style and design became popular, soon the wooden columns were replaced with decorative iron accenting much of the first and second floor outside living areas.

Creole Floor Plans

Creole homes were designed to adapt floor plans to accommodate the harsh southern weather. Galleries lined the front of the homes and doors and windows were placed to take full advantage of the much-needed breezes. In many instances the door and windows appear to be haphazardly placed but they are placed for function, not style.

French Creole Architecture in Today’s World

Many of the original French Creole homes have not withstood Mother Nature and are no longer in existence. But you can rest assured knowing that the French Creole design style is still going strong. The unique design elements have been carried over into many of the modern styles of today. A style that incorporates the extensive porches covered by a wide hipped roof creating a gallery is emerging as a new popular style called “Tidewater.”

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita there have been many rebuilding efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Many homeowners are borrowing the ideas and traditions of the past to create a rebirth of French Creole influenced design by incorporating architectural traditions that will ensure this style will be a part of history once again.