GUBI

EPIC

Named after the epic poems of ancient times, Epic Table for GUBI is a sculptural piece of furniture inspired by Greek columns and Roman architecture. Made in Italy from travertine stone, the monolithic form emphasizes the materiality of the stone, the natural beauty of its veins, and the vibrant texture of its unique patina – in which a new detail can be discovered with every use.

This new expression showcases and enhances the material, while maintaining a formal simplicity. The hexagonal column is an intelligent solution that enables a substantial expression to be efficiently constructed from minimal materials. Stone options in neutral white, vibrant gray or colorful burnt red each create a focal point of differing intensity, bringing personality to private settings and naturalness and tactility to public interior spaces.

‘‘Without material there is no soul. Positioning the material at the center of the project is an intellectual act and celebrating unusual stones and natural finishes is aligned with our practice and GUBI’s cerebral and contemporary take on the traditional.’’

‘‘ GUBI was a first mover in reintroducing marble to the home and we love natural stone, but we are always curious about new expressions and materials. Travertine has a completely different materiality and structure to marble and even in the same colors, can express many different tones and variations. ’’

– Jacob Gubi Olsen

The Epic Table is a celebration of Italian travertine stone, in response to the growing desire for the honesty and authenticity of natural materials. The intrinsic value of stone encompasses a part of our land, our history and our origin – a history which becomes solid and sculptural in the Epic Table. The introduction of this little-known stone and the careful selection of colors and open textures keep its materiality alive in the final product. Individual pieces are selected for the strength of their veining and striations, giving each table a unique expression of its own identity. A light filler and matte treatment on the tabletop and base protect the surfaces, while allowing its natural tactility to be experienced as if cut from the rock. Inspired by historical examples of travertine constructions such as the Colosseum and Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and the 1970s revival of the material in Southern Europe, the table combines two simple geometric shapes, the circle and the hexagon, with references to the classical Greek column.

The varying heights and diameters within the Epic Table Series mean a single monochromatic table can stand alone or be combined in dynamic clusters of varying height and color. Combining the tables with wooden, metallic or textile pieces allows for further contrasting groupings. The Epic Table is the result of a shared journey of discovery into travertine stone as a natural material. A quest for the archetypal origins of the material’s use in design and architecture ran alongside an in-depth study of different stones, colors and finishes, before lengthy experimentation with proportions, weight and form revealed the harmonious balance between base, geometry and tabletop in the final product.

Previous
Previous

Violin // GUBI

Next
Next

Memoir // LYFA