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Alberto Ponis was born in Genoa in 1933 and studied at Florence University, where he qualified as an architect in 1960. In the early 1960s he worked in London with Erno Goldfinger and Denys Lasdun, where he came under the strong-and lasting-influence of the then-dominant modernist and brutalist movements. In 1964, he established his own studio, Ponis, on the island of Sardinia, and in the half-century since then he has built a remarkable number of private and public buildings.
This beautifully produced volume is the first comprehensive monograph on this highly interesting and original yet little-known architect. It documents his biography, education, and training, then delves into his extensive research on Sardinia-which focused in particular on the typical housing types of the island's rural areas. Detailed examinations of eight selected buildings created between 1965 and 1998 enable us to trace the evolution of Ponis's work and philosophy, while a concluding essay offers thoughts on the essence of his architecture.
About the author
Sebastiano Brandolini schloss 1982 sein Studium an der AA in London ab. 1984–1995 Redaktor bei der Zeitschrift Casabella. Seit 2009 Mitarbeiter des Instituts für Landschaftsarchitektur der ETH Zürich.
Summary
Alberto Ponis’ Häuser auf Sardinien sind zum Wohnen da und strahlen eine Wärme aus, die den Optimismus ihres Erschaffers spüren lässt
Additional text
“It’s somewhat difficult to characterise
The Inhabited Pathway
—part biography, personal thesis, monograph—but careful editing binds it tightly; its success residing less in the presentation of any individual house than in the sensitive distillation and representation of a lifetime’s work. This handsome book makes a powerful introduction to an architect whose work deserves to be widely appreciated.” David Roberts,
Architectural Review
Report
«Alberto Ponis beherrscht das Bauen in der Landschaft wie kein Zweiter und ist doch wenigen bekannt. Seine schönsten Häuser stellt dieses aussergewöhnliche, ruhig und konzentriert gestaltete Buch in bestmöglicher Form vor.» HÄUSER
«Ein bemerkenswert schön und gut gemachtes Buch.» werk, bauen + wohnen wbw, Tibor Joanelly
«...optisch wie inhaltlich äusserst gelungen...» AIT Architektur, Innenarchitektur, Technischer Ausbau, Uwe Bresan
«It's somewhat difficult to characterise The Inhabited Pathway-part biography, personal thesis, monograph-but careful editing binds it tightly; its success residing less in the presentation of any individual house than in the sensitive distillation and representation of a lifetime's work. This handsome book makes a powerful introduction to an architect whose work deserves to be widely appreciated.» David Roberts, Architectural Review
