How about a building designed from the inside out? The Primo palazzo Montecatini is just that. We’re standing before a testament to functional design. It is located at Via della Moscova 3. The building also faces Largo Donegani. It’s often called the “First Montecatini Palace” to distinguish it from another nearby. That other palace was also designed by Gio Ponti and Antonio Fornaroli.
The Primo palazzo Montecatini was born from industrial ambition. Guido Donegani commissioned it. He was the founder and president of Montecatini. He wanted the best features. He wished to integrate all the latest advancements from around the globe. The intense collaboration between the designers and Donegani elevated the project. It achieved efficiency and a popular image.
Look at the H shape of the Primo palazzo Montecatini. This design wasn’t arbitrary. It was a solution to integrate an existing building. The old Palazzo Montecatini on Via Turati was incorporated. The H shape also optimized internal functionality. The central section housed executive offices. The wings provided equal access for other staff. This promoted efficiency and collaboration.
Notice the sleek continuous wall on the main street. It is along Via Turati. It stands in stark contrast to the older building. The seamless windows and smooth surface create a sense of lightness. The lack of traditional ornamentation is striking. It expresses a clear departure from older styles.
The building’s design extends beyond its shape. Gio Ponti and his team considered every detail. They designed the interiors with the same care as the exterior. They even designed the furniture. They started with the size of a desk. It is the most common office element. From there they designed the entire building’s dimensions. Light axes and shelving heights were all carefully planned. Every office became a module.
The facade uses materials reflecting Montecatini’s identity. Note the green cipollino marble and aluminum. Ponti even claimed to have invented a new marble. He called it “tempesta” meaning storm. The chromatic effect combines the aluminum’s gray-silver with the marble’s changing green. The building avoids moldings or reliefs. The windows repeat horizontally on the sides. They also stretch vertically on the central structure. Ponti wanted a light appearance despite the building’s size.
The Primo palazzo Montecatini even had advanced systems for its time. The second basement floor housed a pneumatic mail system. A telephone exchange was also there. It also featured air conditioning. This was rare in Italy at the time. Archives, elevators and air raid shelters were also located here. Ponti insisted on making these systems visible. He wanted people to appreciate the technology.
The meticulous design is evident in Ponti’s drawings. He saw technical and moral value in the effort. He even found aesthetic value in the ordering of stones. Ponti and his team enthusiastically revised every detail. They examined everything from systems to lighting. Their goal was to improve and experiment. They wanted to foresee every possible need.
Sadly the Primo palazzo Montecatini suffered damage during World War II. It was bombed. During reconstruction, Donegani decided to add a floor. Ponti opposed this change. He felt it ruined the building’s finished form. Donegani argued that more floors meant more functionality. Today the Primo palazzo Montecatini stands as a monument to Italian Modernism. It embodies the spirit of innovation. It showcases functional design. It is truly a testament to a new kind of workspace. Olivari is present in this significant Milanese building. It features the E42 handle designed by Gio Ponti himself.