Contemporary lounge chair F300

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In the late 1960s, French furniture designer Pierre Paulin unveiled a lounge chair unlike anything the world had seen before: the F300. Sculptural and futuristic in form, the F300 introduced a completely new chair typology, and quickly became an icon. Determined to restore this important piece of design history to contemporary audiences, GUBI took on the challenge of exploring, understanding, and reengineering the production process behind Paulin’s original vision. 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.