Milano, 1891-1979

Gio Ponti begins his profession with Emilio Lancia, exhibiting an elegant Novecento style. His Palazzo Montecatini in Milan (1936) brings him closer to Rationalism and introduces many technological innovations in Italy for the first time. In the 1950s, he develops a free, personal style that eschews square corners, searching for highly expressive chromatic and luminous effects, such as the Villa Planchart a Caracas (1954).

Olivari Lama door handle designed by Gio Ponti
LAMA L

2016

LAMA

1954

Cono

1956

Cono

Out of production

E42

Out of production

ANELLO

Out of production

— Bilia, lampada da tavolo, Fontana Arte 1931
He teaches at the Milan Polytechnic from 1936 to 1961, where he graduated in 1920. In 1928 he founds Domus, a magazine he uses to introduce international design culture to Italy.
Project: Grattacielo Pirelli, Milano Italy by Gio Ponti
— Grattacielo Pirelli, Milano 1958
— San Francesco al Fopponino, Milano 1964 (courtesy OSC)
From the very beginning of his career, Ponti devotes himself to industrial products, first as the artistic director of Richard-Ginori, and then through a vast repertoire of designs: furniture, lamps, bathroom fixtures, textiles, and ceramics.
— Sedia Leggera Cassina, Meda, 1954