Beetle Dining Chair

Overview

The Beetle Dining Chair is the dining chair that the Danish-Italian duo GamFratesi designed for GUBI; GUBI lists 2013 as the design year. GUBI says the chair has been well received by end consumers and interior architects alike and can be seen in many renowned restaurants around the world. The official dimensions are those of the fully upholstered version with a conic base.

Construction

GUBI says the characteristic elements of a beetle's sections (shape, shells, sutures, a rigid outside and a soft inside) have been interpreted in the design. In the fully upholstered version both seat and back are covered in fabric, here Mode by Maharam (048, standard), rated 100,000 Martindale. The conic base is metal, shown in Matt Black, with standard glides.

Specifications

• Dimensions: W 56 x D 58 x H 87 cm; seat height 45.5 cm (official drawings, fully upholstered, conic base)
• Back height: 16.9 in (about 43 cm)
• Weight: 18.5 lb
• Base: metal conic base, Matt Black, standard glides
• Upholstery: fabric, Mode or Tempo by Maharam (upholstery FR compliance: standard, not treated)
• Use: indoor

Inspired by beetles

GamFratesi took their inspiration from the insect world, and more specifically from beetles. Not only the name refers to them: the designers interpreted the characteristic elements of a beetle's sections (its shape, its shells and sutures, its rigid outside and soft inside) as the parts of a chair. GUBI describes the result as strikingly simple in form but full of personality, combining crafted details with advanced manufacturing technologies.

GamFratesi and GUBI

GUBI's page says GamFratesi have worked with GUBI since the inception of their studio and the development of the Beetle Chair. It adds that the juxtapositions shared by the Italian Enrico Fratesi and the Danish Stine Gam and by GUBI, such as the classic and the contemporary or the manufactured and the unique, are epitomized in the Beetle.