Gio Ponti e Milano: A Photographic Guide to 36 Projects

The book 'Gio Ponti e Milano. Guida alle architetture 1920-1970' (Quodlibet, 2018), edited by Paolo Rosselli and Salvatore Licitra, documents 36 projects by Gio Ponti in Milan. Stefano Boeri wrote the preface. The volume features photographs by Rosselli, concise descriptions by Lisa Licitra Ponti (Ponti's daughter, now in her 90s), and some plans. It is a family affair: Licitra is Ponti's grandson and director of the archive, Rosselli is the son of Ponti's former partner Alberto Rosselli. The book is more an elegant photographic collection than a traditional architectural guide, lacking deep analysis of Ponti's theories or his relationship with Milan. It coincides with the exhibition 'Tutto Ponti, Gio Ponti archi-designer' opening October 19 at the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris. Ponti was a multifaceted architect, designer, set designer, craftsman, painter, journalist, curator, and cultural promoter, embodying the Italian 'architetto tuttofare' tradition.