Gio Ponti and Italian Modernism
Ana Mihajloska
History of Architecture
And Modern Interior Design
Fall 2010
Gio Ponti and Italian modernism
"Love architecture, be it ancient or modern. Love it for its fantastic, adventurous and solemn creations; for its inventions; for the abstract, allusive and figurative forms that enchant our spirit and enrapture our thoughts. Love architecture, the stage and support of our lives."
These are the words of one of the most famous and renown architects and designers of Italian Modernism, Gio Ponti. He was born in Milan, where he studied architecture and design. Through out the course of his life Gio Ponti became known in various areas. He was a poet, painter, industrial designer, architect and the founding director of Domus magazine. Out of all his work of design he became known as the Godfather of Italy’s post-war design renaissance. His main idea was to propagate for design excellence, and he encouraged everyone to use good design in order to be able to enjoy the vivid, sensual and good life ( la Dolce Vita). After graduating he did not start working as an architect but instead as an art director of ceramic manufacturer, Richard Ginori. In the year 1925 he won the ‘grand prix’ at the Paris expo. In 1928 he founded the Magazine “Domus” along with Ugo Ojetti. Later in his life, Gio Ponti revived his interest in architecture by building houses in Milan, Paris. This structures were known as “domuses” , common for his style which looked like typical Milanese homes from the outside, contrasting the interiors which were innovative with flexible spaces and modular furniture. His buildings were characterized by harmony between form and function, which is in fact the main idea of the modernist movement. His design was functional and economical in terms of materials and production, in other words his goal was to minimalize the product and the cost of production. His architectural career
History of Architecture
And Modern Interior Design
Fall 2010
Gio Ponti and Italian modernism
"Love architecture, be it ancient or modern. Love it for its fantastic, adventurous and solemn creations; for its inventions; for the abstract, allusive and figurative forms that enchant our spirit and enrapture our thoughts. Love architecture, the stage and support of our lives."
These are the words of one of the most famous and renown architects and designers of Italian Modernism, Gio Ponti. He was born in Milan, where he studied architecture and design. Through out the course of his life Gio Ponti became known in various areas. He was a poet, painter, industrial designer, architect and the founding director of Domus magazine. Out of all his work of design he became known as the Godfather of Italy’s post-war design renaissance. His main idea was to propagate for design excellence, and he encouraged everyone to use good design in order to be able to enjoy the vivid, sensual and good life ( la Dolce Vita). After graduating he did not start working as an architect but instead as an art director of ceramic manufacturer, Richard Ginori. In the year 1925 he won the ‘grand prix’ at the Paris expo. In 1928 he founded the Magazine “Domus” along with Ugo Ojetti. Later in his life, Gio Ponti revived his interest in architecture by building houses in Milan, Paris. This structures were known as “domuses” , common for his style which looked like typical Milanese homes from the outside, contrasting the interiors which were innovative with flexible spaces and modular furniture. His buildings were characterized by harmony between form and function, which is in fact the main idea of the modernist movement. His design was functional and economical in terms of materials and production, in other words his goal was to minimalize the product and the cost of production. His architectural career
Bibliography: ❖ http://www.designboom.com/portrait/ponti/bio.html ❖ http://designmuseum.org/design/gio-ponti ❖ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giò_Ponti ----------------------- Figure 1 Images from the Domus magazine Figure 3 Villa Planchart, Caracas,1955 Figure 2 Pirelli Tower, Milan, 1956 Figure 4 'Superleggera ', 1957, Cassina