Why This Famous Chair From The 1960s Is Making A Comeback
Interiors
GUBI has relaunched the iconic F300 Chair, stocked in Australia at Cult.
The chair has been reengineered for best practices today, while holding fast to the original design.
Every F300 Chair begins as a batch of HiREK pellets injected into a multi-station moulding machine, creating the specific components — seat, front leg, or back leg.
The upholstery is applied using a thermoforming technique, where precision-cut foam is affixed to a moulded thermoplastic insert, then wrapped in fabric and stapled in place.
The final result is available in an Alabaster White or Pastel Green base.
There are six different fabrics to select from.
In the late 1960s, French furniture designer Pierre Paulin unveiled a lounge chair unlike anything the world had seen before: the F300.
Forging flat surfaces for sculptural curves, the visually distinct piece looked like a chair from the future. Both enticingly comfortable and innovative, the F300 became an instant icon, prized for its statement looks and tremendous versatility.
Now, the unique piece is making a comeback, as Copenhagen-based brand GUBI has recently brought this piece of design history back into production, alongside its companion the T877 Table — available in Australia exclusively at Cult.
It comes following GUBI’s successful reissue of another of Pierre’s design, the pillow-like Pacha chair. Despite being from another era, both pieces of furniture were selected due to their timeless looks, still appearing as fresh concepts all these years later.
‘The F300 perfectly embodies my father’s approach to design and the balance between sculpture, elegance, and comfort he sought in his work,’ says the designer’s son, Benjamin Paulin.
‘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.’
While the first F300 and T877s were produced in fiberglass or injected polyurethane, allowing for their ergonomic contours and lightweight construction, GUBI has responsibly reengineered the pieces for the 21st century.
The chair is now crafted in Italy from HiREK, an engineered polymer made by injecting industrial plastic waste into bespoke moulds, before being refined by hand.
With the same durability as plastic, HiREK is lightweight and resistant to UV, weathering, and pressure.
Most importantly, the material offers a smooth, high-gloss surface, which is then carefully upholstered with a thermoforming technique commonly used to create luxury car interiors.
The end result perfectly replicates the look and feel of the original design, while also minimising waste during production.
Now available in a selection of contemporary colourways, the F300 is as bold and relevant today as it was over half a century ago. More than a statement piece, it’s a celebration of excellent design that will continue to inspire generations to come.
The F300 Chair is now available at Cult. Shop the iconic design here.