D.235.1

Montecatini chair

Molteni&C dates D.235.1 to 1938, the year Gio Ponti completed the first Montecatini building at Largo Donegani in Milan. The product page places the design work across the broader period from 1935 to 1938.

Aluminium construction

With the approval of Ponti's heirs, Molteni&C reworked the chair entirely in aluminium. Extruded, folded aluminium tube forms the structure. The seat and back are a single moulded aluminium unit, and mechanical brushing produces the glossy finish. Plastic feet complete the current specification.

Published data

The drawing prints 50.7, 51.6 and 86.6 cm as its main values; their axes are not labelled. A second vertical value of 44.6 cm remains unassigned.

Designed with the building

For the first Montecatini headquarters, Ponti designed both the architecture and its furnishings. Molteni&C names desks, lamps and wardrobes alongside the chair, making D.235.1 part of an integrated interior rather than a later furnishing selected for the building.

Re-edition in one material

The present version translates the archival chair into polished aluminium throughout. Its 2012 re-edition date is kept separate from the 1938 design date printed in the official product sheet.