Photo: Arflex
A block of foam and no frame: the sofa reduced to its essentials, and soft all over.
The Arflex Bobo is one of those ideas that only seem obvious once someone has had them: a sofa made entirely of foam, with no frame inside. Cini Boeri designed it in 1967. Here at Mariani, official Arflex retailers in Milan and Arluno, we let you try it for yourself.
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By the late 1960s Arflex had spent twenty years experimenting with new upholstery materials. It was in this climate that, in 1967, Cini Boeri designed the Bobo: according to Arflex, one of the first examples of a single-block seat, made exclusively of polyurethane foam and without an internal frame.
Cini Boeri's Arflex family also includes the Boborelax armchair: the sofa and the armchair speak the same language.
Cini Boeri was born in Milan in 1924 and graduated in architecture from the Politecnico in 1951. After her years with Marco Zanuso she opened her own studio in 1963, working across architecture and design with a particular focus on how spaces work.
The Bobo, from 1967, is described by Arflex as one of the first examples of a single-block seat made only of polyurethane foam. Boeri won the Compasso d'Oro in 1979 and taught at the Politecnico di Milano.
With no internal structure, the Bobo is soft everywhere and has a continuous, rounded shape that you recognise at once. Seat and backrest are a single volume: next to another Bobo it becomes a longer sofa, or it can stand freely in the room.
The Bobo as photographed by Arflex: from the front, in profile and in pairs. You choose the fabric in our showroom, from the full range of samples.
Photo: Arflex
The price of the Bobo depends on the version, how many seats you place side by side and above all on the fabric. You will find the samples in our showroom, to touch and compare in real light. As official Arflex retailers we work on the current price list and send you a quote for your configuration.
If you like the idea, take a look at the Boborelax armchair too, from the same Cini Boeri family.
Message us on WhatsApp: we will tell you where and when you can see it in person.
Tell us which fabric you are interested in: as official Arflex retailers we will send you a quote based on the current price list.
Ask for the price on WhatsAppA seat like this has to be tried: you cannot feel frameless foam in a photo. As an official Arflex retailer in Milan and Arluno we have access to the full catalogue, with the official warranty and support that continues after your order.
Read more: Cini Boeri and her designs for Arflex and all Arflex sofas.
Via Uberto Visconti di Modrone, 8/a — 20122 Milan
Mon–Fri 10:30am–6:30pm non-stop · Closed Saturday and Sunday
Via Guglielmo Marconi, 12 — 20004 Arluno (MI)
Mon 3:00pm–7:30pm · Tue–Fri 9:00am–12:30pm / 3:00pm–7:30pm · Sat 9:00am–12:30pm / 3:00pm–6:00pm
Before you come, message us: we will confirm which compositions and upholstery are available to try at that moment. You can also reach us from the contact page.
It depends on the configuration and the fabric you choose. We are official Arflex retailers and work on the current price list: message us on WhatsApp with the fabric you like and we will send you a quote for your configuration.
It is a single-block seat made exclusively of polyurethane foam, with no internal frame. According to Arflex it is one of the first examples of this kind of seat.
Cini Boeri, for Arflex, in 1967.
They are two Cini Boeri designs for Arflex that share a family name: the Bobo is the sofa, the Boborelax is the armchair.
At Mariani Design, official Arflex retailer: our showrooms in Milan San Babila (Via Uberto Visconti di Modrone 8/a) and Arluno (Via Guglielmo Marconi 12). Message us on WhatsApp first and we will tell you where and when you can see it in person.
We look forward to seeing you in Milan San Babila (Mon–Fri 10:30am–6:30pm, non-stop) or in Arluno. Message us on WhatsApp: we will tell you where to see it in person and prepare a quote.
Message us on WhatsApp