Key Elements of Adelaide Acadian Style

1. Steep pitched roofs with side gables.

2. Deep porches most often recessed under one roof form.

3. Most often two story mass with large columns on first floor and thin columns on second floor.

4. Massing and column spacing is symmetrical. Window and door openings are typically centered in bays, but not always.

5. Architectural elements are commonly a mix of Creole and French Colonial.

Acadian Elements

Wall Materials: Brick or stucco on the first floor, smooth finish wood or fiber cement lap siding with 6" exposure on the second floor. Doors: Multi-pane french doors are often used in lieu of windows on the first floor under the porch. Entry doors may or may not include a transom. Windows: Typically large openings of casement or double hung with simple muntin patterns. Shutters: Slatted panel, or plank (batten), louvered, or solid panel. Roof: Asphalt shingle, 5-V metal roof, standing seam mtl. roof, wood shake shingle.

History of Acadian Style

Acadians are descendants of French settlers having migrated from coastal France via Canada and Maine and finally settling in the swamps of southern Lousiana. The original settled colony in Canada was named "La Cadie" or Acadia. The original settlers called themselves "Acadians" or "Cadiens" which was soon Anglicized as "Cajuns." Say the word "Acadian" in your best Cajun accent and you'll see how that works.

Acadians and Cajuns are not urban folk. They live in rural areas, are clannish, and live private lives. As they settled in the low land areas or swamps, the frequent flooding demanded house adaptations such as building their houses raised off the ground and usually on stilts, including pillars of wood or brick. As they adapted to new life in this area, it seems they learned building techniques from the Creole and native Indians. This is a vital influence on the key elements of Acadian style and especially influences the two-story massing with living areas on the second level. One-story structures may have been built for temporary housing while repairing their damaged house, but even those often included stairs leading from the front porch into the roof, or from the middle of the house into the roof space for a second level.

Cajuns are an eclectic bunch, often mixing elements of architectural styles into their own. This can make it difficult to distinguish between Creole and French Colonial or even Spanish Creole, and why most pattern books lump all 3 styles together. In truth, it's Cajun culture to do so and seen in Cajun food as well. Gumbo, a main Cajun dish, is a mix of many elements from various cultures with elements of western Africa, the Spanish, Caribbean, Native American, and French influences to create something wonderful and unique to Cajuns. Quite often, we see influences of these same cultures in the architecture that creates Acadian homes.