Pacha lounge chair with armrest, Karakorum 001 + black swivel base – Gubi

The Pacha armchair, designed by French designer Pierre Paulin in 1975, is a 70s design icon that has been reissued by Danish publisher Gubi from 2018.

This chair embodies a break with post-war design conventions, offering a freer, more comfortable and relaxed approach to seating.

Origin and concept

Pierre Paulin, a major figure in French design, imagined the Pacha armchair at a time of aesthetic and social change.

His first sketches evoked clouds, reflecting his desire to create a soft, enveloping seat.

The Pacha is distinguished by its absence of traditional legs, an innovation that places it close to the ground, favoring a more natural and convivial posture.

This “low-altitude living” was revolutionary at the time and part of a quest for modern comfort, the fruit of Paulin's research into ergonomics and contemporary materials such as folded plywood and upholstered foam.

Initially designed for Mobilier International, the Pacha was not fully appreciated on its release, judged too bold for the French market at the time.

Yet its organic, generous shapes, inspired by the pop movement and the 70s, make it a visionary piece.

Re-edition by Gubi

In 2018, Gubi, known for resurrecting forgotten classics, decided to reissue the Pacha with the support of Benjamin Paulin, the designer's son, who is keen to preserve his father's legacy.

This re-edition brings back to life a timeless design that blends perfectly with contemporary interiors.

Gubi has expanded the original collection with several variations: the classic armchair, a version with armrests, modular sofas seating two to five, and a matching ottoman.

These elements allow great flexibility in composing personalized spaces, just as Paulin had envisaged.

Features

The Pacha armchair is characterized by :

• Silhouette: voluptuous curves and a low seat that evoke a cloud or sculpture.
• Materials: molded plywood frame, high-resiliency foam upholstery, and a variety of coverings such as bouclé fabric (often wool and viscose, inspired by astrakhan furs), velvet or leather.
• Base: available in fixed or swivel (with automatic return) versions, in matte black or pearl gold finishes.
• Dimensions: approx. 77 cm wide, 85 cm deep, 65 cm high, with a seat height of 35-37 cm.

Style and impact

The Pacha combines elegance and functionality thanks to its perfectly balanced proportions and seam lines that emphasize its shape.

It embodies the spirit of the “Swinging Sixties” and the 70s, with a hedonistic and playful touch, while remaining surprisingly contemporary.

This timeless modernity explains its renewed success today, particularly in minimalist or eclectic interiors.

Pierre Paulin, who left his mark on the history of design by collaborating with institutions such as the Mobilier National and fitting out the Élysée Palace for Georges Pompidou, infused the Pacha with a sculptural, poetic vision.

The re-edition by Gubi, faithful to this philosophy, has enabled this piece to conquer a worldwide audience, from design enthusiasts to decorating magazines.

In short, the Pacha armchair reissued by Gubi is much more than a piece of furniture: it's a celebration of Pierre Paulin's comfort, creativity and avant-gardism, finally receiving the recognition it deserves almost 50 years after its creation.