Cini Boeri

Maria Cristina Mariani Dameno, known as Cini Boeri, was an Italian architect and industrial designer known for exploring ideas of expandability and pliability across architecture, furniture, and lighting. Her approach was grounded in economy and functionalism, while creating joy was at the heart of her work.

After graduating from Politecnico di Milano in 1951, Boeri collaborated on several projects with Gio Ponti and Marco Zanuso before founding her own architecture studio in Milan. She was a contributing designer for Gavina SpA, an Italian design firm acquired by Knoll in 1968. After the acquisition, Knoll introduced many Gavina Group designs into the Knoll portfolio, including Boeri’s Lunario Table. The Gradual Lounge, her first piece designed specifically for Knoll, was an innovative, flexible seating system that could be rearranged to suit various needs.

In 1978, Boeri designed the Brigadier Sofa and Lounge Chair for Knoll. With its rigid panels and high-gloss finish, Brigadier was unlike any of her earlier work, but it retained Boeri’s characteristic soft upholstery. Throughout the 1970s, Boeri designed Knoll showrooms in France, Germany, Italy and the United States, while also designing residential and commercial architecture for clients worldwide.

Cini Boeri was honored with the prestigious Compasso d’Oro Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. “La casa di Cini Boeri,” a documentary directed by Maddalena Bregani, explores the life and work of this influential designer.