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i. What is the function or purpose of the building? 1624 The original layout plan Function: Louis XIII’s hunting lodge Space: Form of a small structure Material: Stone and red brick 1668 1674 1680 The son of Louis XIII, Louis XIV transformed and expanded it Function: Transform Versailles as the court and government of French and keeping the king’s residence

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i. What is the function or purpose of the building?

1624

The original layout plan Function: Louis XIII’s hunting lodge

Space: Form of a small structureMaterial: Stone and red brick

1668 1674 1680

The son of Louis XIII, Louis XIV transformed and expanded it

Function: Transform Versailles as the court and government of French and keeping the king’s residence some distance from Paris for protection (16km

away)

The transformation:a) Converted into 3-storey chateau with a marble courtyard

b) Flat roof and 2 new wings (North & South)c) 4 main building campaign

The plan an elevation image of the Palace of Versailles.

Central Wing: Ground Floor PlanPink – Apartments of the DauphineBlue – Apartments of the DauphinPurple – Apartments of Duchesse d’AngoulemeYellow – Apartments of Madame VictoriaGreen – Apartments of Captain of the GuardsLilac – Apartments of Marie AntoinnetteBrown – StaircasesTurquoise – Other roomsWhite - Courtyard

Central Wing – First Floor Plan

Blue – Grand ApartmentsPink – Queen’s ApartmentsOrange – King’s ApartmentsYellow – King’s Interior ApartmentPurple – Queen’s Interior ApartmentGreen – Apartments of Madame de MaintenonTurquoise – VariousBrown - Staircases

Central Wing: Second Floor Plan

Pink – Queen’s ApartmentsBlue – King’s ApartmentsPurple – Madame du Barry’s ApartmentsGreen – Monsieur de MaurepasYellow – Madame de Pompadour’s apartmentsTurquoise - Stairs

South Wing: Ground Floor Wing

Function: Initially it is for King’s residence area for his brothers (Prince of the Blood) but then it became the main location of the Parliament

South Wing in 1732

The current South Wing which includes the massive Hall of Congress.

There is a little changes made to replace the main staircase.

South Wing: First Floor

Function: It is preserved for the Princes of Blood.

1732

Now.

South Wing: Attic

Function: Usually are for the servants.

1732

1837

Number of apartments has been reduced from 1732 to 1837. Ventilation: Intolerably hot in summer and freezing during winter.

North Wing: Ground Floor Plan

The plan during parts of the Ancien Regime.

Green – OperaOrange – Entrance to Museum

The plan as of now.

7. Low Vestibule10. Hallway

48. Opera

North Wing: First Floor

In 1732.

Now.

North Wing: Attic

1732.

The attic is no longer available.

ii. How the function or purpose of the building makes the building historically significant and meaningful?

The Hall of Mirrors

Function: Main hall for the imperial ceremonies. Details:

Mirrors along the 17 arches walls A total of 357 mirrors were used in its decoration The principal feature of the room is the seventeen, mirror-clad arches

that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens Ornamentations along the ceiling are to celebrate the apotheosis and

richness of the kingLight penetration: The wall of mirrors help to diffuses or spread out the daylight except above the windows, where the details and carvings is shadowy.

Opera House

Function: Main theatre and opera house of the Palace of Versailles. Initially it was planned that Opera serve not only as a theather but also as ballroom or banquet hall. Details:

Constructed entirely of wood and painted to resemble marble in a technique known as faux marble to represent stone

Can seat up to 1200 guests The theme of the decoration is related to Apollo and the Olympian deities.

ConclusionAll in all, the purpose/function of the Palace to be built and been transformed from one generation to another is followed by how important the spaces were going to use. As how stated in D.K Ching's book, the form of the spaces are followed by the functions itself. A good design or not, Palace of Versailles has it own values and beautiful as how it is and the citizen of France should be more aware of preserving this amazing Baroque architecture. Structurally, the spatial planning of the Palace are slight interesting which can be be studied further for future architects/students in this industry. 

Reference:

1. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/ Palace_of_Versailles#Hall_of_Mirrors

2. http://www.historylines.net/history/17th_cent/versailles.html 3. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/versailles-palace.htm 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxIzMr2Ekpo 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles 6. http://www.livescience.com/38903-palace-of-versailles-facts-

history.html7. http://thisisversaillesmadame.blogspot.dk/2015/03/a-guide.html