Created in 2013, the Beetle chair instantly became a classic. Almost a decade later, GamFratesi revisits its creation with Beetle 3D Veneer: this version has a wood veneer shell. The internal padded side is covered with leather or premium fabric. This wooden model expands the relevance of the original design by adapting it to even more interior styles, without compromising the comfort that made it famous. Stone Gam and Enrico Fratesi on the choice of this new wood material: “The design of the Beetle chair is perfectly suited to this wooden look, which emphasises the natural inspiration which presided over its design. Wood is a fantastic material and the shape of the Beetle allows it to exploit its best characteristics. It is gracious, perfectly curved and the wood magnifies this organic shape.” The shell includes two distinct parts, the backrest and seat in wood veneer are connected by internal steel supports with springs that are invisible from the exterior. Each wooden piece is 3D-moulded using a folding press. This 3D-moulding technique creates the distinct curve of the Beetle, whilst maximising its comfort and flexibility. Working the wood in this way accentuated the vertical grain and the colour of the wood, giving the chair a high-end visual.The thickness of the shell varies: wider at the connection points, to enable greater resistance, but finer at the edges to preserve the iconic silhouette. The Beetle chair is inspired by the shape of the scarab. The seat and back are made from two padded shells with curved lines that look like the insect’s shell. The slim, tapered steel legs make reference to a beetle’s legs. All these elements are perfectly connected and crafted in a fluid manner. Super-comfortable, Beetle is at home in different environments: around a dinner table, behind a desk, at home or at work. The GamFratesi studio consists of Denmark’s Stine Gam and Italian Enrico Fratesi. Their work combines different influences, from classic Italian design to Scandinavian traditions.

In detail:

Variation : Anthracite leather & oak / Black legs

Brand : Gubi

Designer : GamFratesi

Type : Padded chair

Colour : Shell exterior: oak / Shell interior: grey leather (soft leather grey) – Legs: chromed black

Material : Shell: walnut veneer 3D-moulded using a folding press – Inner side of shell padded with polyurethane foam and covered with leather – Legs: varnished steel

Dimensions : L 56 x D 58 x H 87 cm – Seat: H 45.5 x D 42 cm

Weight : 20.02 lb

Characteristics : Creation date: 2013 – Dual-material shell: Wood & leather – Padded seat – Plastic glides included