L'opera costruita di Gio Ponti, dal grattacielo Pirelli alla Scuola di Matematica. Conoscere per conservare

The interest towards Gio Ponti’s works and figure has exponentially grown over the past two decades, nurtured by the flourishing of cultural initiatives geared to redefining his profile of fine artist, multifaceted intellectual and extraordinary architect, and celebrating his works, today recognized as extraordinary interpretations of a 'made in Italy' modernity. Ongoing research dedicated to some of his important works thus stand as a valuable scientific and philological reference to pinpoint the critical assessment guiding the current process of historiographical revaluation. Among them, the scientific investigation on two outstanding works - the Pirelli skyscraper in Milan and the School of Mathematics in Rome’s university campus - offer relevant knowledge to endow the informed rereading of Ponti’s figure and work, and of his time. These, in fact, testify the undisputed genius of the architect, but also highlight events and contexts which should instead be traced back to the many players - engineers, architects, clients, entrepreneurs, artisans, workers, artists and technicians - who took part to the “very human” cultural mosaic that allowed Ponti’s creativity to unfold. A mosaic which should be carefully considered in view of the current hermeneutic process aiming at a correct historicization of his works and, hopefully, at their protection and conservation. The article proposes a synthesis of the outcomes of the two experiences, referring back to the extensive bibliography about the case of the Pirelli skyscraper and to the final research report on the School of Mathematics.