About Us
At Gubi, we're on a continual quest. A journey. Fuelled by
our passion to discover overlooked icons from the past and future
icons in the making, we've made a distinctive name for ourselves in
the international design arena as a dynamic design force to be
reckoned with.
We see ourselves as treasure hunters, where curiosity, courage and
intuition are key components for our success. Design is all about
discovering gems and following your instincts. It involves
travelling, searching and finding long-lost remnants from the past
as well as contemporary, cutting-edge designs from new artists on
the horizon.
The result is an eclectic, intercontinental collection that blurs
the lines between the past and the future. An extensive assortment
of extremely aesthetic, thought-provoking designs characterised by
simple, arresting shapes, original materials and innovative
techniques which defy time and space. Imbued with a beauty that
resonates with design aficionados, architects and designers all
around the world.
Lost & Found
Chasing forgotten icons has led us to the re-launch of designs
from the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's. Originally created by
artists, sculptors, designers and architects from France, Italy,
England, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Germany, Japan and
elsewhere. Talented professionals whose work has been featured at
MoMA in New York, Victoria & Albert Museum, London's Design
Museum, the National Museum in Stockholm and the Arktikum Museum in
Finland, among others. Each piece is exquisite in its own right
with a story to tell, capturing a fleeting moment in history which
remains relevant to this day. A perfect example is Bestlite, a series of
Bauhaus-influenced lamps first produced in 1930 by British designer
Robert
Dudley Best. (Winston Churchill is one of several highly
esteemed owners.) We spotted a Bestlite lamp in 1989 and
resurrected this beloved icon of last century as part of a stunning
13-piece collection re-launched worldwide.
Icons of the future
Our uncanny ability to recognise diamonds in the rough along with
original ideas and inspirations have also resulted in a unique
collection of exciting new designs worth coveting. We have forged
creative collaborations with emerging designers who challenge our
assumptions about form and function. Each new design has an equally
intriguing tale to tell, appealing to individuals who dare to take
the road less travelled. A strategic move that reflects our
insatiable desire to venture out into the unknown. Of course,
taking on a new design always involves a risk. Often the designer
has done something quite difficult or created a design that doesn't
seem commercial at first. But taking chances is what keeps us one
step ahead. A case in point is the Gubi Chair from our namesake line, created in
collaboration with Komplot Design. It was the first 3D
veneer chair ever made and quite a challenge. But it was worth
pursuing, as it has garnered numerous awards and was chosen by MoMA
to be featured in their permanent collection. Another example is GamFratesi, an
award-winning Danish-Italian design duo receiving global
recognition for their iconic, informal style. The Masculo
Collection from Gubi paves the path for its rightful place as a
future design classic.
A global view from our HQ
We are rooted in Scandinavia but with a distinctive global outlook
- and sense of aesthetics. From the wide range of designs in our
search around the world into the past. To our astute eye for
spotting enduring designs from new talents. It's all reflected in
our expanding portfolio of styles appealing to an international
clientele.
Based in Copenhagen's docklands, our Gubi offices span a 2,000
square metre space that used to be a tobacco factory, revamped into
a modern, ultra expansive showroom loft. Our intuition guided us to
this area, which has since become a magnet for other firms working
within architecture and design.
The rough surroundings outside our office windows are in sharp
contrast to the refined environments where you'll find our Gubi
designs. Aside from high profile homes and chic restaurants, our
chairs, sofas, lamps, tables and other furnishings regularly appear
in fashion and design editorials in global magazines and blogs. Not
to mention exclusive offices, where we have developed innovative
workspaces and interior solutions for a variety of companies in the
business sector.
Design is deep in our DNA
Gubi was founded in 1967 by Jacob and Sebastian's parents, Gubi
and Lisbeth Olsen. They initially focused on producing Olsen's
furniture designs and selling textiles to the retail sector. Eager
to make their own mark, the sons opened a concept store and
introduced fashion into the equation. In fact, they were amongst
the first to import Prada and Helmut Lang to Denmark, returning
their focus back to the family business in 2001.
Since then, we have transposed the original creative vision into a
contemporary context, putting Gubi on the map as a global player on
the design scene. In an ever-changing international landscape, it
takes an enormous amount of drive and determination to keep chasing
icons. It's that type of endless energy, enthusiasm and
entrepreneurial spirit which has catapulted Gubi into an iconic
status all its own.
Jacob Gubi
Chief Creative Officer
GUBI A/S