Ground-breaking collection gets a next-generation material upgrade by Komplot Design, Boris Berlin & Poul Christiansen
GUBI reinvents the GUBI 3D Chair with recycled-plastic and veneer editions
When it launched in 2003, the GUBI 3D Chair by the Danish design studio Komplot represented the heights of material innovation. Utilizing cutting-edge 3D-veneer technology, it introduced contoured, organic wooden forms that had never been possible in furniture before. Two decades on, GUBI revisits and refines the collection, streamlining the GUBI 3D Chair portfolio with sustainability-driven, outdoorfriendly editions in recycled plastic and an update to the boundary-pushing veneer version that first put the GUBI 3D Chair on the map.
A design classic and a GUBI hallmark
The arrival of the GUBI 3D Chair marked a landmark moment in both furniture production and for GUBI as a design brand. As the first industrial use of 3D veneer-molding technology and among the first dining chairs in the GUBI Collection, it was a striking proof of the possibilities of 3D-molding, and set a new benchmark in craftsmanship, in which form and function were perfectly fused. Quickly recognized as a classic, the chair won multiple awards and was inducted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
‘The GUBI 3D Chair was the first dining chair in the GUBI Collection and so it will always be very special to us. Over the last 20 years, it has become one of GUBI’s defining hallmarks: modern, beyond trend, versatile, and pushing the envelope of material innovation.’
– Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI
Crafted using innovative molding technology, the GUBI 3D Chair’s form is organic and inviting across both veneer and recycled-plastic editions, whether upholstered or not. From the front, the seat appears solid and full-bodied, whereas the view from behind reveals the unexpended thinness of the shell – maximizing structural strength and ergonomics while minimizing material use and therefore keeping the chair lightweight. With all edges curving away from the body of the sitter, the shape of the seat ensures dynamic comfort in multiple sitting positions, from conventionally forwardfacing to side-on, using the backrest as an arm support.
‘The GUBI 3D Chair was designed with passion and a smile – and when we met GUBI, we knew we had found the right ‘parents’ for our precious ‘child.’ We wanted an international brand full of energy and ambition, and GUBI did not disappoint.’
– Boris Berlin, Komplot Design
Sustainability through innovation
‘We were immediately intrigued by the potential of 3D veneer. For the first time, we could sculpt seat shells with softness and fluidity that truly embraced the body – a more human, more tactile approach to sitting.’
— Poul Christiansen, Komplot Design
The new, upgraded veneer edition of the GUBI 3D Chair is made from FSC®-certified oak or American walnut veneer, incorporating wood from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources (FSC® C176589). As well as making the chair’s distinctive form possible, the 3D-veneer technology enables a significant material reduction, allowing for a thickness of just 5.5 mm, compared to the 10–11 mm that would be usual for molded veneer seating. This means the veneer edition of GUBI 3D Chair effectively uses half the quantity of wood typically required. With a visible vertical grain and pronounced natural color, the veneer editions – in oak and American walnut have a depth and texture that contribute to their refined and luxurious expression.
‘The strength of the three-dimensional shape allowed us to reduce the material thickness dramatically. That means less wood, less weight, and a more sustainable design – without compromising on comfort or elegance.’
— Poul Christiansen, Komplot Design
Material efficiency is also a key feature of the recycledplastic version, which is injection-molded using a customized material composite made using over 50% recycled plastic. Carefully selected plastics from industrial and postconsumer waste streams are combined with virgin plastic to ensure strength and durability, and a UV additive to protect the chair from sun damage during outdoor use. The bespoke material blend and advanced molding technology enable a more environmentally responsible production process, while retaining the quality, strength, and structural performance that virgin plastic provides.
At the end of its life, the GUBI 3D Chair can be easily disassembled, and the plastic of the seat can be recycled endlessly.
‘The material economy of the veneer edition, and the continuing shift to recycled plastic, place the GUBI 3D Chair at the forefront of our journey towards sustainable practice and environmental responsibility across the collection.’
– Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI
Four typologies, two materials, endless expressions
The updated GUBI 3D Chair Collection consists of a dining chair, lounge chair, counter stool, and bar stool, each now available in two material editions – veneer and recycled plastic. With a more casual aesthetic, the recycled-plastic variant is available in three versatile colors – Black, Lunar Gray, and Alabaster White.
The GUBI 3D Chair in veneer also offers a variety of upholstery options, enhancing its adaptability. All veneer versions of the GUBI 3D Lounge Chair come fully upholstered. Three base types are available: a four-legged base and a stackable sledge base in black powder-coated steel, as well as a standard sledge base in both polished stainless steel and an outdoor suitable black powder-coated steel. Each contributes to the chair’s slender and lightweight silhouette.
‘With its soft, curved lines that seem to say ‘Please, take a seat,’ the GUBI 3D Chair invites relaxed, natural postures – whether facing forward or sideways – in both veneer and recycledplastic editions. It’s a very friendly and accommodating chair.’
– Boris Berlin, Komplot Design
With chairs to suit every activity, from dining at the table to cocktails at the bar, cozy lounging to dedicated desk work, the GUBI 3D Collection is one of the most versatile seating families in contemporary design. The UV- and weather-resistant properties of the recycled-plastic edition allow the non-upholstered GUBI 3D Chairs to seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, bringing their timeless curves to patios and poolsides as well as lounges and lobbies. With multiple material expressions, colors, and upholstery possibilities, there is a GUBI 3D Chair to match every space and style.
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