Palladian Window - A three part window consisting of an arched central window flanked by smaller rectangular windows.

Panel - A recessed portion of a flat surface, often framed by molding. Panels may be placed in series to decorate doors and walls.

Party Wall Construction - A method of construction in which neighboring buildings share the same side walls.

Pattern Book - a book of floorplans and drawings depicting homes in a particular style or styles. Patterns books also contain images of decorative elements and information on construction costs. They evolved from early nineteenth century builders' guides and were widely used in the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Pattern books are still popular and can be obtained in modern hardware stores.

Pavilion - A prominent central or end portion of a large building which projects forward from the plane of the façade.

Pediment - Triangular gable end of the roof above the horizontal cornice.

Pen - A square or rectangular shaped space, usually measuring 16 by 16 feet or 16 by 18 feet, used as a basis for building and expanding the British house types of the Upland South culture.

Peripteral - Surrounded on all sides by a single row of columns. The typical large Louisiana plantation house was surrounded by such columns.

Pier - A very wide pillar.

Pierced Work - Decoration which consists mainly or partially of perforations.

Pigeonniers - Outbuilding containing nesting boxes in which pigeons could roust. (Pigeons were used to provide meat and fertilizer.) The lower story sometimes contained an office or a separate residence for men (garconnier). The pigeonnier served as an ornamental decoration within the plantation grounds.

Pilaster - An attached pier or pillar, often with capital and base.

Pillar - A column-like support lacking a classical capital.

Polychrome - multi-colored.

Porte-cochere - A shelter for vehicles outside an entrance doorway; a carriage porch.

Portico - A monumental projecting porch with a roof supported by columns, often placed at the entrance of a building.

Premier Etage - In Creole houses, the family's main living area. The floor was raised high above the ground on piers.