Nine Square Cube

Based on the analysis of the existing drawings of Claude Nicolas Ledoux’s country houses,this paper attempts to reveal the Prototype-Variation mechanism behind the diversity of these works in terms of the composition theory of Beaux-arts and the relative historical background of French Hotel.The essay consists of four chapters,namely,theory background,design research,comprehensive analysis and discussion.Theory background mainly clarifies the historical motives that inspire Ledoux’s design of country houses,including the development of French Hotel in the 18th century and Beaux-arts’composition theory.The angle and framework of the design research will be derived from it.The chapter on design research will be articulated through three clues:Mass/Disposition,Plan/Distribution and Part/Whole.Reducing the numerous country houses to a basic form of "Prototype",then discussing about the"Variety",the hidden design method will gradually emerge.The comprehensive analysis chapter will present five selective cases thoroughly via diagrams and renderings,in order to form a comprehensive understanding of the entire design process of the country houses.The discussion chapter is divided into three sections,the first section summarizes the design method guiding to variety by comparing the cases with similar looks.The second section further abstracts the formal system of Ledoux’s country houses and transforms the understandings into a "nine-square cube" formal system.The last section concludes the key points of this paper,pointing out that Ledoux’s design method of variation,which is developed basically through simple and limited prototypes,while at the same respecting the tradition and the reality,is still inspiring today.