A rattan reinvention of the classic bistro chair through an architectural lens

The steam-bent, fiber-woven bistro chair has been an archetypal design form since it first emerged at the turn of the 20th century. With the Bistra Collection, Milan-based design studio AMDL CIRCLE, founded by architect Michele De Lucchi, reinterprets this iconic furniture category for the 21st century, refining the classic bistro silhouette into its most essential expression.

‘Cultivating tradition doesn’t mean repeating the past, but renewing the art of making in the present, adapting and transforming it. When we look at what we know with fresh eyes, we can uncover new possibilities, generate new ideas, and contribute to our own evolution and that of the world around us.’
– Michele De Lucchi, Architect and Founder, AMDL CIRCLE

This design is the result of a meeting of minds between GUBI and AMDL CIRCLE, founded on shared values of craftsmanship, timeless design, and material curiosity. Bistra brings a new architectural dimension to GUBI’s exploration of rattan furniture, while giving AMDL CIRCLE the opportunity to work with rattan for the first time.

Comprising a dining armchair, a lounge chair, and a threelegged stool, the Bistra Collection merges past and present. Rooted in nature, each design is organically inspired yet architecturally precise, defined by flowing curves and lightweight silhouettes.

Emphasizing the essential

AMDL CIRCLE aimed to reduce the rattan chair to its purest form; simplifying lines, minimizing structural elements, and embracing simplicity. At the heart of the design are three steam-bent rattan elements: the backrest, the armrests, and the double fork that forms the legs, rising from the ground like a sapling. Tone-on-tone rattan bindings are woven around the backrest canes, referencing classic bistro chairs.

‘Our aim was to find elegance through subtraction, subverting the traditional rules of chair-making by eliminating unnecessary structural elements. By stripping away excess, we reduced the design to its purest form. As our first exploration of rattan, Bistra fits seamlessly into GUBI’s rattan collection —while also standing out as a bold and original expression of the material.’
– Andrea Borgogni, Senior Product Designer, AMDL CIRCLE

Rattan’s expressive, organic nature was the starting point for AMDL CIRCLE’s concept. Reinterpreting botanical forms, Bistra’s structure appears to grow from a single point, branching like tree limbs.

‘The inspiration for Bistra comes from the plant world: the structural rattan elements emerge from a single point and branch out like tree limbs or fronds. Everything originates from the base, with extending elements transforming into supports for the seat, backrest, legs, and armrests. It is a structure that grows from the ground up, like roots that evolve and transform into the final object.’
– Davide Angeli, Deputy Managing Director, AMDL CIRCLE

A pattern rooted in nature

Bistra’s ‘organic growth’ motif extends to Reales Pattern, a custom fabric designed by AMDL CIRCLE for the collection. Reales Pattern is a durable, breathable 100% cotton fabric handcrafted for GUBI in Italy. Featuring a rhythmic interplay of hand-drawn black lines, the printed pattern is inspired by a Leonardo da Vinci fresco on the ceiling of the Sala delle Asse in Milan’s Sforza Castle, adorned with interwoven foliage.

Through this lens, AMDL CIRCLE’s design translates the graphic lines of the Bistra design into a two-dimensional format, creating visual unity between structure and upholstery. The hand-drawn style of the high-definition print evokes the spontaneity and imperfection of a pencil sketch, lending the fabric an authentic, artisanal character. A subtle shadow beneath the weave, adds depth and a threedimensional quality.

Reales Pattern has been created in three colorways: vibrant orange and green on beige; silvery gray on a dark olive green for a more uniform, architectural expression; and soft beige-on-beige with gray nuances for a subtle and sophisticated look. Each complements the three frame colors: natural lacquered rattan, classic ebony-painted rattan, and an elegant olive-stained rattan. Each colorway gives the chair a distinct visual identity while emphasizing rattan’s natural beauty.

Strong, flexible, and naturally renewable

Combining flexibility with structural strength, rattan is one of the world’s fastest-growing natural materials. Its durability and lightweight nature make it an ideal choice for crafting sinuous, rounded, visually expressive furniture forms. Like all of GUBI’s rattan designs, Bistra is made from allnatural rattan harvested in Indonesia, the global heartland of rattan production. A transparent, water-based semigloss lacquer protects the material, reduces maintenance, and maximizes lifespan. Cushions are removable for easy replacement or repair.

From tradition to timelessness

With Bistra, GUBI and AMDL CIRCLE bring the classic fin-de-siècle Parisian bistro chair into the 21st century. Contemporary in expression yet grounded in tradition, Bistra is both sturdy and light, fitting easily into formal and relaxed spaces, bringing a bold, botanical character to any interior.

‘Our partnership with AMDL CIRCLE is a celebration of creative synergy, material curiosity, and forward-thinking design. With Bistra, we’ve redefined the classic bistro chair in rattan —elevating an iconic typology through architectural precision, artisanal detail, and a timeless expression that transitions effortlessly between refined and relaxed settings.’
– Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI