GamFratesi

Born out of a collaboration between the Danish architect Stine Gam and the Italian architect Enrico Fratesi, the GamFratesi design studio offers a fusion of tradition and innovation, alongside an experimental approach to the selection of materials and techniques. Their work is an expression of a blend between two very different design traditions: Italian creativity and Scandinavian functionalism. Born in 1975, Stine Gam studied architecture in Denmark before going on to work as an architect in Italy and Tokyo. Enrico Fratesi, born in 1978, is also a trained architect and began working in Stockholm and Denmark whilst still at university. Together they worked in Japan and Scandinavia before founding their own studio in Copenhagen in 2006.

Their philosophy is based on striking a balance between tradition and innovation. Whilst they draw heavily on the Scandinavian approach to art, which emphasises functionalism and simplicity, their designs are nonetheless highly expressive. Although minimalist in appearance, each piece is enriched with a distinctive feature or detail that makes it more welcoming and cosy.

A prime example of this can be seen in the sofas from the Silhouette collection created for the Danish design house Hay. The minimalist appearance of the sofas in no way detracts from their comfort. The idea was precisely to create furniture with a minimum of detail but maximum comfort.
GamFratesi also created the Beetle collection for Gubi – comprising chairs in brass and fabric – which have been hugely successful thanks to this duality that recurs in all the designs by the two designers: a solid, austere exterior with a soft, comfortable interior. For the same Danish brand, GamFratesi designed the Bat armchairs, inspired by the shape of a bat. This collection is a Gubi classic. In keeping with the same approach of blending tradition and innovation, we find the Key side tables, based on a design that fits seamlessly into any type of interior and results in furniture that is extremely easy to use.