Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofa for Gavina, Black Leather, 1970

Design
1970

Manufacture
1970-1979

Location
Lonigo, IT

Cini Boeri "Gradual System" sofa for Gavina, black leather, Italy, 1970.

Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the "Gradual System" by Cini Boeri is a visionary example of modular design—conceived to adapt, move, and respond to the fluid nature of domestic life. This sofa rests on a sculptural black fiberglass base, glossy and lightweight, which integrates open shelving and hidden storage compartments. Its architecture is both practical and expressive, reflecting the optimism of early 1970s Italian design.

Upholstered in black leather with subtle stitching, the sofa’s clean, geometric volumes offer a comfortable yet structured form. Original casters allow for effortless mobility, staying true to Boeri’s concept of a living environment in motion—where each element can reconfigure according to need.

Unveiled the same year as Mario Bellini’s "Camaleonda," the "Gradual System" emerged from a cultural moment that prioritized flexibility and a radical rethinking of the domestic landscape. Boeri’s design reflects her dialogue with leading figures of Italian modernism such as Gio Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Ettore Sottsass, and the Castiglioni brothers.

This sofa is more than a modular component—it is an architectural element that shapes space with intention and elegance.