| Native Name: | (Maria Cristina Mariani Dameno) |
| Birth Date: | 19 June 1924 |
| Birth Place: | Milan, Italy |
| Death Place: | Milan, Italy |
| Alma Mater: | Politecnico di Milano |
| Known For: | Architecture, interior design, and industrial design |
| Awards: | Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Compasso d'Oro |
Maria Cristina Mariani Dameno (19 June 1924 – 9 September 2020), known as Cini Boeri, was an Italian architect and designer.[1] She was considered "one of the great pioneering women in Italian design and architecture", who was described as a "formidable architect and designer, paragon of Milanese elegance and verve."[2] [3] [4]
Cini Boeri was born in 1924. She grew up in Milan and earned her degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1951 – one of only three female graduates that year.[5] At that time, there were more female interior designers than architects in Italy because it was thought that women were too fragile to work outside.[6]
After a brief experience working with Gio Ponti, a famous master of Italian design and architecture, she worked with Marco Zanuso, another acclaimed architect and designer, from 1951 through 1963, after which she started an independent architectural practice.[7] [8] In 1963 she opened her own studio in Milan focusing on architecture, interior, and exhibit design both in Italy and abroad.[9]
In the 1970s, Boeri began designing showrooms for Knoll in Europe and America.[10] She also designed a variety of sofas and chairs for the company, some of which are still in production today.[11] In addition, she worked for a variety of other design companies, including lighting company Artemide, furniture companies such as Arflex, Knoll, and, and the housewares company Rosenthal.[12] [13] [14]
From 1981 to 1983 she taught architectural planning and industrial design at the Politecnico University in Milan.
Different examples of her work can be found in museums and international exhibitions.[15] [16]
Cini Boeri was known for her furniture design, and it became widely recognized, but it's important to note that Cini Boeri was also a trained architect, and undertook various architectural projects both domestically and internationally.
During the 1960s, Cini Boeri completed a series of residential projects in Sardinia. Notable among these were Casa Bunker, a brutalist structure situated atop a cliff, and Villa Rotonda, an elegantly designed snail-shaped residence. Both projects were carefully crafted to establish a harmonious dialogue with the surrounding landscapes, reflecting Cini Boeri's sensitivity to the environment and her ability to integrate architecture seamlessly into nature.
Between the 1960 to 1970, she challenged a lot in popular philosophy of comfort, and focused on its form.
Another notable project, Casa nel bosco from 1969, was nestled within a birch forest in Lombardy. Here, Cini Boeri's ingenuity was evident in the fragmented architecture, made in that style to avoid the need to fell the large trees encircling the site. This approach showcased her deep appreciation for the natural surroundings and her commitment to sustainable and considerate design.
Boeri died on 9 September 2020 in Milan, Italy at the age of 96.[17]
Cini Boeri's influence and creativity extended far beyond her lifetime, leaving a lasting impact on the world of architecture and design.
Cini Boeri's impact on the world of design extended beyond her iconic furniture pieces, as much of her work remains in production today due to the modular and functional nature of her designs.[18] This testament to the timeless quality of her creations highlights her unwavering dedication to functionality in addition to aesthetics.
Through her furniture and architectural work, Cini Boeri not only left a lasting imprint on the design world but also demonstrated her exceptional ability to create functional, innovative, and environmentally sensitive spaces. Her influence continues to inspire contemporary designers, making her legacy a cherished and enduring one.
Boeri was awarded many prizes; among those, in 1979 a Compasso d'Oro for her "Strips" sofa system for arflex,[19] and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles in 2008.[20] [21] She was made a Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana in 2011, and was awarded the Gold Medal from the city of Milan in 2019.[22] [23]