The Gio Ponti Lab

A man of many talents, Gio Ponti was one of the most influential Italian architects and intellectuals of the twentieth century. The volume published by Quodlibet seeks to capture the wide range of his interests and works through eight essays, grouped into four thematic sections: contributions to magazines and newspapers, graphic design and illustration, architecture, and product design. Ponti’s creative approach has been likened to that of a craftsman, for he applied a common methodology to different materials in his design workshop, which inspired the title of the book. A striking example of his multidisciplinary vision is the Pirellone, or Pirelli Tower, examined in the essay by Fulvio Irace. Gio Ponti oversaw not just the structural design—which was part of his broader vision for a vertical Milan—but also every interior detail, meticulously calibrating the spatial functions and relationships, lighting, acoustics, and furnishings to create a seamless interaction between inside and out. Each floor was conceived with the needs of its future occupants in mind. His architecture was always socially driven, shaping urban landscapes in order to meet the needs of the community.

Officina Gio Ponti. Scrittura, grafica, architettura, design
Eds. Manfredo di Robilant and Manuel Orazi
Quodlibet, 2023