A 20TH CENTURY CLASSIC
THE ICON IS BACK
When it first appeared in the late ’60s, Pierre Paulin’s F300 Lounge Chair caused quite a stir. Unlike anything ever seen before, with its fluid curves and novel materiality, it looked like a chair that had somehow been beamed in from the future. Visibly playful and enticingly comfortable, the F300 became an instant icon, prized for its statement looks and tremendous versatility, and earning a place in the MoMA’s permanent collection. Perfectly aligned to the casual, comfort-led, low-slung lounge aesthetics of the 1970s, the F300 also embodied a timeless futurism that has ensured it has never fallen from favor as time has passed.
REIMAGINING AN ICON
The first F300s were produced in fiberglass or injected polyurethane, allowing for contoured ergonomic comfort while maintaining a visually light expression. Responsibly upgraded for the 21st century, the F300 is now crafted in Italy from the engineered polymer HiREK®, which is made using industrial plastic waste. Retaining the durability of plastic, HiREK is lightweight and resistant to UV, weathering, and pressure. Most importantly, HiREK produces a smooth, high-gloss surface without requiring additional finishing processes, perfectly replicating the performance and aesthetic of the original materials while minimizing waste created during production.
"It’s true that the F300 is a visually striking chair with a distinct playfulness and a strong sense of character, but it’s much more than a photogenic sculptural novelty. The design is rooted in research and a practical understanding of how people sit. Such is the F300’s shape that it is almost impossible not to relax when you sit in it."
– Benjamin Paulin, son of Pierre Paulin
PIERRE PAULIN
French designer Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) had hoped to become a sculptor before shifting into deign - and this impulse is apparent in his work. His low-slung furniture provided a new laid-back perspective on life and his forward-looking, eclectic, and squlptural approch to design refleted the swinging '60s and the freewheeling spirit of the '70s.
Paulin created the Patcha Lounge Chair - now a flagship GUBI design - in 1975. He cited Ray and Charles Eames and George Nelson among his influence and, like Nelson, considered himself a functionalist who added 'two little drops of poetry' to his work.
♡ Looks good with
