In short: Gubi is a Copenhagen design house famous for “rediscoveries” — bringing forgotten 20th-century masterpieces like Greta Grossman’s Gräshoppa lamp and Pierre Paulin’s Pacha chair back into production — alongside modern icons like GamFratesi’s Beetle chair. Glamorous, curvaceous and more Continental than typical Danish minimalism, Gubi is available in Dubai at Clay Concept’s Wasl Square showroom.
If &Tradition is Copenhagen’s archive-keeper, Gubi is its treasure hunter. The brand made its name finding brilliant designs history had overlooked — then giving them a second life so successful they now feel inevitable.
The story
Founded in Copenhagen in 1967 by Gubi and Lisbeth Olsen, and transformed from the 2000s onward under their son Jacob Gubi, the company built a singular editorial idea: the rediscovery. Gubi scours design archives for pieces that were ahead of their time — Greta Grossman‘s 1940s lighting, Pierre Paulin‘s 1975 Pacha lounge chair, Mathieu Matégot‘s perforated metal tables — and reissues them alongside contemporary commissions from GamFratesi, Space Copenhagen and OEO Studio.
The icons
- Beetle Chair (GamFratesi, 2013) — the shell-backed dining and lounge chair that conquered restaurants and dining rooms worldwide; endlessly customisable in fabric and base.
- Gräshoppa & Cobra lamps (Greta Grossman, 1947–50) — tilted-head floor and table lamps with mid-century Los Angeles glamour.
- Pacha Lounge Chair (Pierre Paulin, 1975) — the cloud-like low lounge chair, a bouclé bestseller five decades after it was drawn.
- Multi-Lite (Louis Weisdorf, 1972) — the rotating-shade pendant that changes character with a turn of the wrist.
- Bat & Violin chairs (GamFratesi) — sculptural seating that bridges dining and lounge.
What defines Gubi
- Curves over corners — Gubi’s world is rounded, upholstered, sensual; closer to Paris or Milan than to strict Nordic minimalism.
- The rediscovery model — history as a living catalogue, not a museum.
- Customisation depth — most seating comes in hundreds of fabric, leather and base combinations.
- Hospitality pedigree — Gubi furnishes many of the world’s most photographed restaurants and hotels, which is exactly the mood it brings to a dining room at home.
Gubi in a Dubai home
Gubi’s warm glamour suits Dubai perfectly: Beetle chairs around a long marble dining table, a Pacha pair in a villa lounge, a Gräshoppa floor lamp leaning over a reading chair (lighting guide →). The palette — caramel leathers, bouclés, brass — glows in evening light.
Where to buy Gubi in Dubai
Clay Concept carries an extensive Gubi selection — seating, lighting and tables — at our Wasl Square showroom in Dubai, with UAE-wide delivery and made-to-order fabric options. Explore the collection: Gubi at Clay Concept.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gubi furniture known for?
Rediscovered 20th-century icons (Grossman’s lamps, Paulin’s Pacha) and modern classics like the Beetle chair — curvaceous, glamorous design with deep customisation options.
Is the Gubi Beetle chair comfortable?
Yes — the shell’s flexible back and upholstered seat make it one of the most comfortable dining chairs in its class, which is why it’s a fixture in restaurants worldwide.
Where can I see Gubi furniture in Dubai?
At Clay Concept’s showroom in Wasl Square, Dubai — one of the UAE’s largest Gubi selections — or online at clayconcept.ae with delivery across the Emirates.
Explore Gubi at Clay Concept — or discover more designer brands we bring to Dubai.
Author: Clay Concept Editorial.