Carrollton Residence

Historic Renovation of the former Nathaniel Wilkinson residence, a rare example of Romantic Gothic architecture in Louisiana.

Project Type: Historic Preservation, Custom Residential
Location: New Orleans, LA
Project Size: 9,500 square feet

Project Description

Built in 1850 and renovated in 1995, the former Wilkinson house is a rare example of Romantic Gothic architecture in Louisiana, where Greek Revival predominated nearly until the Civil War. Constructed for Nathaniel Wilkinson, it typifies a New Orleans architectural genre called the “suburban villa”, characterized by the large scale in both the building and grounds. The house was designed as a leisure resort in a fashionable style to send a message of success – a goal more easily achieved on the generous lots in Carrollton, which remained unincorporated by New Orleans until 1874.

After a period of neglect, a new owner engaged the firm to renovate the home’s architectural features and to update it for use as a contemporary residence. Having respect for the original structure and its architectural integrity, new programming elements including a kitchen, breakfast room, and exercise room were contained in the new addition. Balancing client needs, preservation concerns, and site constraints, the architects strategically sited new construction behind the house to maintain its character from Carrollton Avenue. The team ensured the new volume respected the original structure’s subordinate height, as well as the aesthetically compatible, but materially distinct cedar board-and-batten cladding.

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Carrollton Residence

Carrollton Residence Stair

Carrollton Residence Historic

Carrollton Residence

Carrollton Residence Historic

Awards:

Louisiana Architects Association – Merit Award, 1998