Soniat House
The French Quarter
New Orleans, Louisiana
Photo: arcspace
Since it was my first time to New Orleans I wanted an authentic experience of the city’s history and architecture. Soniat House, located in the French Quarter, was not only a perfect retreat from modern New Orleans but also in walking distance to areas with the Creole cottages and Shotgun houses that inspired the architects of Brad Pitt’s project in the Lower Ninth Ward; the reason for my visit.
An aura of adventure hovers over this small hotel comprised of three historic townhouses with balconies and secluded courtyards. Two of the houses were built in 1830 by Joseph Soniat, a plantation owner who needed a house in New Orleans when visiting with his large family. Just four years later his oldest son built an even larger house across the street. The three have now become one.
Photo: arcspace
Here you have a blending of Creole taste with the new American fashions that were beginning to creep into the Quarter following the Louisiana purchase. At first glance it seems to have the open-handed quality of the American home, but a closer look reveals that in Creole fashion it is still turning its back on the street.
The lacy cast iron work, on the second floor of the two story red brick building, is one of the most complete examples of its kind in the French Quarter. The details, spiral stairs, balconies, patios, are all original. The courtyards are lush with sweet olive, magnolia, guava and ginger.
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
A curved stairway, between masonry arches, leads to the gallery and the upstairs rooms. The charming guest rooms are furnished with period antiques balanced with data ports, voicemail and phones.
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Soniat House was renovated by the owners Rodney and Frances Smith, who travel the world selecting just the right antiques for their beautiful hotel and their antiques shop, Soniat Antiques. They have won every local award as well as national praise for its sensitive design.
Visit Soniat House
While there walk a few blocks to the Napoleon House bar and café, another unique French Quarter landmark dating back to 1797.
Photo: arcspace
Nearly 4,000 homes were destroyed by water when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans five years ago. Because of Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation almost 50 houses, of the 150 planned in the Lower Ninth Ward, have been built. A lot more are under construction….it is impressive.
Pitt, an architecture aficionado, has mixed insightful designs by local architects with adventurous work by rising stars and big names from around the world. The architects who contributed to single family home designs all hewed to the traditional New Orleans shotgun house format - simple, narrow and fashioned to fit the long skinny lots in the Lower 9th Ward.
Respecting the privacy of the people living there I did not want to walk around taking photos of the occupied houses but refer instead to the official site: Make it Right
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
Photo: arcspace
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The first book to document the progress of the Make It Right Foundation features essays on the history and people of the Lower 9th Ward, the hurricane and its impact, with the primary focus on the designs and the design process. The contributions to the project from Adjaye Associates, GRAFT, Gehry Partners and Shigeru Ban, among others, are shown in numerous photographs and renderings with sketches, building plans, and informative commentary.
Architecture in Times of Need: Make it Right -
Rebuilding the New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward
Publisher: Prestel USA
European customers click here:
Check the price at amazon.co.uk
January 17, 2011
