There are more than 60 buildings by Gio Ponti in Milan, spread across the whole urban area. One could say that every Milanese has at least one Ponti building round the corner from their home. But how many know it? Only a few, for sure. For its eightieth anniversary, Domus will be taking the Milanese on a guided tour to discover or rediscover eight of Ponti’s most important works: the apartment block in Via Domenichino, the ex Torre Littoria in Parco Sempione, the Torre Rasini in Corso Venezia, the Montecatini office block in Largo Donegani, the Clinica Columbus in Via Buonarroti, the Pirelli tower in Piazza Duca d’Aosta, the Chiesa di San Francesco al Fopponino in Via Paolo Giovio and the Montedoria building in Via Pergolesi.

During two weekends in February (16-17 and 23- 24), five ATM buses (partner-company in the project) will be running a route of eight stops where citizens can learn more about Ponti’s architecture and its context with the help of two students from Milan Polytechnic’s Architecture and Society Faculty who will be acting as tour guides. There will be a bus every 20 minutes between 10am and 4pm.

Anyone can take part, getting on and off at the stop nearest their home. More information can be found at www.domusweb.it and on the website of the Milan City Council, which will be sponsoring the initiative through the council’s Culture and Tourism office. The initiative will be presented, together with the February issue of Domus dedicated to Gio Ponti, at a press conference to be held at the Pirelli tower, seat of the Lombardy regional government. Radio Monte Carlo will be following the event with interviews and informative contributions. Silvia Monaco

Guided Tour
Gio Ponti
16/17 and 23/24.02.2008