torafu architects texturizes gio ponti exhibit with tactile surfaces

torafu architects texturize gio ponti exhibit with tactile surfaces
photo by daici ano

torafu architects have realized the gallery space for ‘giving warmth to the building skin – the world of gio ponti, father of modern italian design’ exhibition at inax museums, tokoname. the show — ongoing until until march 18th, 2014 — spotlights the groundbreaking aesthetic of the renowned industrial designer, architect and painter. often acclaimed as the godfather of italy’s post-war design renaissance, the italian modernist was known for his acute exploration of architectural surfaces, incorporating both handcraft and machine production in the communication of texture and character. interior details introduce both the geometrical motifs he heavily surveyed, patterns he established for tile works, as well as the tactile quality he continually seeked to convey. 

a textured wall greets gallery viewers
photo by daici ano

the exhibit leads visitors into several areas, loosely divided by an undulating expanse of both full and fragmented walls that shift in height. the maneuvered architectural framework creates an illusion of floating volumes, allowing for a sense of lightness that is ever present in ponti’s aesthetic. the spacial arrangement creates singular spaces that each have flexible, changing surroundings, while chromatic choices give hints as to the next room’s theme. 

a hollowed out divide allows visitors a peek inside the exhibition space from the exterior
photo by daici ano

both fragmented and full walls create an undulating expanse
photo by daici ano

tactile geometry façades the walls
photo by daici ano

motifs and patterns that ponti explored throughout his work are highlighted in the exhibition’s design
photo by daici ano

tile designs
photo by daici ano

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