Gio Ponti

Born in Milan in 1891, Gio Ponti is classified as one of the most influential design visionaries of the 20th century. He studied architecture at Politecnico where he graduated in 1920 after serving in the war. In 1927 Ponti joined Emilio Lancia and Mino Fiocchi to form an architecture practice, Il Labirinto. Their aim was to create quality furniture, objects and structures. From 1923 he was the artistic director of Richard Ginori.

Gio Ponti founded his own architectural studio in 1928, the same year he launched Domus magazine; through which he commented on various design styles and influenced taste for 50 years. Through Domus, from the Latin for ‘home’, he promoted a new curiosity and open-mindedness towards new design thinking. Ponti designed lighting, furniture, appliances and buildings throughout his career - all harbouring a playful side. Today, a wide range of Ponti's designs are snapped up by customers who want to give their homes a touch of classic Italian chic.

"The most resistant element is neither cement, nor wood, nor stone, nor steel, nor glass. The most resistant material in construction is art" - Gio Ponti