Residential building (1950-1951)
viale Romagna 56/3 (Milano)
Structural Engineer: Eng. Adriano Longhi
Contractor: Edilizia Bernasconi
viale Romagna 56/3 (Milano)
Structural Engineer: Eng. Adriano Longhi
Contractor: Edilizia Bernasconi
One of the first appointments assigned to Gho' was as clerk of works for the construction of this residential building located in the east of Milan, in a university area known as “città-studi”. The parcelling plan, with a scheme that wasn’t particularly conventional for Milan, involved the construction of a generous perpendicular street to viale Romagna - also described as an “open courtyard” - which allowed to rationalise adjacent properties creating a relatively small and compact block. Margherita Bonivento and Aurelia Martinenghi, owners of the site facing piazza Giolitti, appoint the Milanese architect to manage the works based on a previously approved design.
The good construction quality of the building demonstrate Gho’s professional ability as clerk of works, both for the details and for the overall look of the building; the fronts are rational with a few effective inventions, such as the openings at the top floor hiding a terrasse behind the facade. Nevertheless, the building looks much less modern compared to the some of the works Gho' designed in those years, probably due to him not being involved in the design process.
The podium of the building, as usual, is characterised by the use of a different material compared to the upper floors; the elevation at the ground floor is cladded in Verona red marble slabs with a bush- hammered medium pattern finish, whereas the upper floors are plastered in brown Terranova paint with a fine orthogonal grid. The most significant feature is the presence of large relief bands framing the sides of the balconies which, through shadowing, create a “false loggias” effect. Finally, a particular feel is given by the elegance of entrance atrium which leads to the staircase and lift.
The good construction quality of the building demonstrate Gho’s professional ability as clerk of works, both for the details and for the overall look of the building; the fronts are rational with a few effective inventions, such as the openings at the top floor hiding a terrasse behind the facade. Nevertheless, the building looks much less modern compared to the some of the works Gho' designed in those years, probably due to him not being involved in the design process.
The podium of the building, as usual, is characterised by the use of a different material compared to the upper floors; the elevation at the ground floor is cladded in Verona red marble slabs with a bush- hammered medium pattern finish, whereas the upper floors are plastered in brown Terranova paint with a fine orthogonal grid. The most significant feature is the presence of large relief bands framing the sides of the balconies which, through shadowing, create a “false loggias” effect. Finally, a particular feel is given by the elegance of entrance atrium which leads to the staircase and lift.
| Design drawings and historical photos |
Note: the images can be freely downloaded in low resolution. It is possible to request high definition images via the form at the "contacts" page.