shotgunstyle

Shotgun style refers to a vernacular housing form most commonly called the shotgun house. It is a narrow, rectangular dwelling in which two or more rooms are arranged in a linear sequence from front to back. The defining feature is interior connectivity: doors between adjacent rooms are often aligned along a single axis, allowing a straight-through flow when opened, typically with little or no central hallway. Exterior characteristics usually include a narrow footprint, a front porch (sometimes spanning the width of the facade), and wood siding or clapboard. Roofs are commonly gabled or hipped.

Origins and regional distribution are debated, but shotgun houses are most closely associated with the Southern United States, particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, where urban neighborhoods and plantation-era lots provided compact housing solutions. The form likely emerged in the 19th century and was popular among working-class families due to its efficient use of narrow city lots and modest construction costs. Architectural details vary by region and era, with differences in porch depth, window arrangement, and interior finishes such as beadboard or wood flooring.

Variations include the single-shotgun, which contains a single line of rooms, and the double shotgun, which links two shotgun units side by side. The style has been subject to preservation efforts as part of cultural heritage in several cities, while in other areas many examples have been altered or demolished. Shotgun style remains a recognized example of vernacular architecture and has influenced regional housing patterns and urban design.