REIMAGINING AN ICON
The Making of F300
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.
A MATERIAL
EVOLUTION
To achieve the F300’s distinctive curves and contours, the earliest editions were crafted from fiberglass, a material that, although revolutionary at the time, poses challenges in terms of environmental impact and long-term resilience.
The result is HiREK®: a high-performance engineered polymer made from industrial plastic waste using multilayer, low-pressure thermoplastic-injection technology. With its high-gloss surface, structural strength, and UV- and weather-resistant properties, HiREK enables both indoor and outdoor use, while retaining the original’s sleek silhouette and futuristic feel.
SHAPING THE STRUCTURE
Every F300 Chair begins as a batch of HiREK pellets injected into a multi-station molding machine. Each station creates a specific component - seat, front leg, or back leg. The mold design determines variation in thickness, reinforcing stress points while preserving the chair’s lightweight, sculptural profile. This process captures the essence of Paulin’s original intent: a hammock-like structure that feels fluid and free.
PERFECTING THE FORM
Once removed from the mold, each component undergoes detailed refinement by hand. Skilled craftspeople trim off excess material, smooth the edges using specialized ceramic tools, and leave each piece to rest for 24 hours, allowing the thermoplastic to stabilize and retain its shape. This stage is critical in preparing the components for flawless alignment and achieving the exacting tolerances required for assembly.
ENGINEERING, BALANCE
AND BEAUTY
A series of custom-built jigs enable the precise alignment of each leg with the seat shell, assuring structural integrity and visual harmony. Bespoke metal inserts and polyethylene gliders are added to ensure stability. Drawing on techniques from automotive design, the chair’s surface is refined so that light reflects evenly across its curves, creating the uninterrupted, high-gloss fluidity that Paulin envisioned.
A series of custom-built jigs enable the precise alignment of each leg with the seat shell, assuring structural integrity and visual harmony. Bespoke metal inserts and polyethylene gliders are added to ensure stability. Drawing on techniques from automotive design, the chair’s surface is refined so that light reflects evenly across its curves, creating the uninterrupted, high-gloss fluidity that Paulin envisioned.
ENHANCING
COMFORT
To achieve flawless ergonomics and a seamless fit, the F300’s upholstery is applied using a thermoforming technique commonly used to create luxury car interiors. Foam is precision-cut and affixed to a molded thermoplastic insert, then wrapped in fabric and stapled in place. Once secured inside the chair shell, the upholstery is pressed, dried under clamps, and hand-steamed to a perfect finish, ensuring visual continuity andergonomic comfort.
FINESSED
BY HAND
FIT FOR THE FUTURE
Blending the creative audacity of the 1960s with the technological ingenuity of today, GUBI’s revival of the F300 brings Paulin’s design into the 21st century, preserving its sculptural silhouette and ergonomic brilliance with modern materials and refined production techniques. Available in contemporary colorways, the F300 is as bold and relevant today as it was over half a century ago. More than a statement piece, it is a celebration of enduring design, reengineered for modern living, and built to inspire generations to come.