Inspired by the forms of nature, the Bat and Beetle Dining

Chairs by GamFratesi are among GUBI’s most celebrated fur-

niture designs. These specially developed outdoor editions are

tailor-made for al fresco living, breaking down the barriers be-

tween indoors and outdoors and taking the iconic designs into

a new dimension.

“The Beetle and Bat Chairs are two of the most complex proj-

ects we have ever undertaken. Their free, organic yet precise

lines are what make them unique,” says designer Stine Gam.

“Both were inspired by nature, so we are delighted that they

can also be used outdoors and thus return to their natural hab-

itat,” adds Enrico Fratesi.

The Beetle and Bat outdoor editions imbue their elegant lines

with an informality and lightness appropriate to the outdoor

setting. Both find design inspiration in the natural world. The

Beetle Dining Chair is designed both to be robust and to gen-

tly flex in response to micro-movements, echoing the com-

plex movements a beetle can make while keeping its body

parts rigid and defined. The organic shape and gentle curves

of the Bat Dining Chair are a three-dimensional reflection

of the webbed wings of the animal that inspired it, with the

front, arm and backrest forming a single continuous line when

viewed from above.

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Although the chairs are still perfectly suitable for indoor use,

GamFratesi has modified the designs to ensure they are also

optimized for exterior settings. Pushing the boundaries of ther-

moplastic technology, the chairs’ curved outer shells benefit

from the addition of a UV additive. This strengthens the poly-

propylene, preventing the two colors – New Beige and Alabas-

ter White – from fading due to weather damage, thus making

two already versatile chairs even more dynamic. A matt-satin

finish gives both chairs an engaging tactility, while their light

weight enables both to be easily moved, further blurring the

frontiers between internal and external spaces.

Like the indoor editions, each piece in the Beetle and Bat Out-

door Collection is designed for disassembly and fully recycla-

ble. The optional seat cushion is upholstered in outdoor-appro-

priate fabric and is equally suited to use on the Beetle and the

Bat, without any rigid fittings or fixings. Taking inspiration from

the branching form of a tree, the conical legs of both chairs

seamlessly integrate with the structure under the seat. In this

way, the chairs are functionally and aesthetically adapted for

outdoor spaces, while preserving the qualities and values of

their indoor counterparts.

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