do you believe in coincidence? or, in connectivity? such as, six degrees of separation, the theory that social distance is composed of six or fewer social network connections?
consider the following connections:
connection number one (numero uno): a book
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano), an outstanding book about 20th century milanese architecture. featuring the entrances of 144 residential buildings built during the 1920’s through the 1970’s.
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz
photo via taschen
connection number two (numero due): two windows
i discovered entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) while researching leaded glass window designs for an innerspace interior design project.
most of the buildings in the book were designed by renowned architects, including giovanni muzio (1893-1982), giuseppe martinenghi (1894-1970), piero portaluppi (1888-1967), or giovanni (gio) ponti (1891-1979). most of the entrances retain their original materials, fittings, and artwork, designed by the architects. or, by industrial designers, such as angelo mangiarotti (1921-2012) or vico magistretti (1920-2006). or, by artists, such as lucio fontana (1899-1968) or gio pomodoro (1930-2002). most of their designs were fabricated by local artisans using local materials, including glass, stone, mosaics, ceramics, or metal. and, most of the entrances retain their original lighting fixtures. lighting designers or manufacturers include artimede, fontana arte, gino sarfatti (1912-1985), stilnovo, or venini.
the book could be considered a reference for 20th century italian design. not only, because of the visually stunning photography. but also, because of the captions, which document the location; the date; the architect, designer, or artist; and the materials, fittings, or artworks. the index even includes a map.
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) is the most outstanding design book that i have discovered recently.
the book became the inspiration for the window designs. and, the inspiration for a walking tour of entryways the next time that my husband, bob, and i visit milan.
in addition to considering many inspirations from the book, my clients and i considered the artistic and technical expertise of theodore ellison designs, who is now developing the design concepts and the technical drawings. and then, constructing the leaded glass windows.
via mario giuriati 5 | designed by giovanni muzio | 1930-1931
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | page 10
photography by delfino sisto legnani
conceptual leaded glass window design | lisa walsh | innerspace
viale regina giovanna 32 | designed by giuseppe martinenghi | 1936-1938
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | pages 48-49
photography by matthew billings
conceptual leaded glass window design | lisa walsh | innerspace
via raimondo franchetti 3 | designed by domenico poloni | 1937-1939
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | pages 134-135
photography by paola pansini
conceptual leaded glass window design | lisa walsh | innerspace
connection number three (numero tre): a handbag
as promoted on instagram. one of the book’s photographers, delfino sisto legnani, also collaborates with milanese luxury leather brand, valextra. their latest collaboration is a limited edition collection for valextra x extramilano. eleven variations of iconic valextra handbags, inspired by entryways of milan (ingressi di milano).
corso sempione 33 | palazzo ina | designed by piero bottoni | 1953-1957
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | pages 276-277
photography by delfino sisto legnani via valextra
valextra x extramilano | tric trac bag
photo credit valextra
via plinio 54
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | page 80
photography by delfino sisto legnani via valextra
valextra x extramilano | brera top handle medium bag
photo credit valextra
corso italia 9 | designed by gio ponti | 1934
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | page 264
photography by delfino sisto legnani via valextra
valextra x extramilano | series s mini bag
photo credit valextra
via morozzo della rocco 10 | designed by mario ugge | 1935-1937
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | page 362
photography by delfino sisto legnani
valextra x extramilano | iside medium bag
photo credit valextra
via privata cesare mangili 6 | ca’ brutta | designed by giovanni muzio, pier fausto barelli, and vittorino colonnese | 1919-1923
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | page 215
photography by delfino sisto legnani
valextra x extramilano | iside mini bag
photo credit valextra
via amatore sciesa 24
entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) | edited and directed by karl kobitz | page 233
photography by delfino sisto legnani
valextra x extramilano | iside medium bag
photo credit valextra
valextra is one of my favorite italian brands. i love shopping with martina at the valextra flagship boutique on via manzoni in milan. i especially love their white (pergamena) handbags.
i am now looking forward to the arrival of my new entryways of milan (ingressi di milano) inspired iside bag.