Quapaw towns are composed primarily of clusters of long houses covered with cypress bark. Several families lived in one of these long houses. The houses were constructed by putting poles in the ground on either side of what would be the long sides of the long house. Then, the poles were bent, latched to each other and covered with cypress bark.
In addition to the common domestic unit of the long house, towns usually had a large council house. The council house was essentially a giant bark covered long house capable of housing 200 people. The town council met in the council house.
In the center of each town was a plaza, where games and ceremonies were held. At one end of the plaza there was usually a partially enclosed elevated structure where the chief and officials would sit to observe the festivities. The council house and the chief's house were located near the plaza area as well.