Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti (18911979) was the creator of a multifaceted oeuvre. Starting off with ceramics and majolika works at the First International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Monza, he moved on to furniture and interior design and built structures of all kinds, from small residential dwellings to high rise buildings, schools, and office blocks. One of his great interests was the theme of the home, for which he continually sought to find new solutions. Ponti colorful, carefree, elegant spaces were designed to inspire optimism in their occupants. The founder and nearly lifelong editor of domus magazine never stopped developing and reinventing his style. This book provides an introduction to Ponti creative process and gives an overview of the various phases of his career.
Originally reviewed May 16, 2013, revised Nov. 20, 2014
Excellent, concise overview of Ponti's life and career. This doesn't go into great detail about any single project; however, there's information here that isn't in the much larger books by either Ugo La Pietra or Lisa Licitra Ponti. The print and color quality of this book is also better.