Gio Ponti
(Milan 1897-1979)

Ponti, who graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnics in 1920, united, already in the initial stages of his activity, the discipline of architecture with those of painting, graphic design and set design (he realized, together with Massimo Campigli, frescoes and mosaic decorations).

In the same period ne also began working as an industrial designer (porcelain for Richard-Ginori, 1923-1925). After an initial neoclassical period he became an advocate, with projects and theoretical texts, of the diffusion of a modern design culture, aimed at both the general public and the manufacturers, by means of a vast range of products (furniture, lamps, table accessories, fabrics, ceramics, linoleum, bathroom appliances) sometimes realized within the context of architectural realizations (Office building at Montecatini, 1938-1939; Pirelli skyscraper, 1956). A collaborator of the Monza Biennial and later the Triennial of Milan, he directed its programmes in several occasions.

While acting as editor of the "Domus" magazine, founded in 1928 together with the publisher Gianni Mazzocchi, he contributed to the diffusion of an international taste in Italy, establishing relationships of mutual exchange with the most important architects and designers from all over the world, from Charles Eames to Tapio Wirkkala. He was one of the advocates of the "Compasso d'oro" prize (1954) and contributed to the founding of ADI, the Association for Industrial Design (1956). He realized public and private buildings abroad, such as the Faculty of nuclear physics of the University of Sao Paulo of Brazil and the Museum of Denver, Colorado. In 1956 he was awarded the "Compasso d'oro" for his entire career.

His activity as a professor at the Milan Polytechnics from 1936 to 1961 and at several universities all over the world, earned him, amongst other recognitions, the honoris causa degree from the Royal College of Arts of London.

Most of his writings have been collected in the volumes La casa all'italiana (The Italian Home) (1933) and Amate l'architettura (Love Architecture) (1957).