The Duba Chair – The Everyday Workhorse in a New Design

The Story Behind

The Duba Chair has been a staple of Danish schools and universities for decades. In Building 313, it has been given a contemporary update: the original black frame and wooden seat have been refinished in a newly spray-painted blue-grey colour that echoes the building’s interior design concept.The result is a timeless work chair that now forms part of the building’s tea kitchens and informal social spaces.

The original Duba Chair (left) and the redesigned version (right). Photo: Bax Lindhardt
The Duba Chair in Building 313, the Climate Challenge Laboratory.
The Duba Chair in Building 313, the Climate Challenge Laboratory.

Climate Challenge Laboratory - A Living Showroom

Throughout Building 313, also known as the Climate Challenge Laboratory, DTU Campus Service has worked to create an interior where existing DTU furniture has been given a new lease of life. The design approach respects both the building’s architecture and the principles of universal design, accommodating a wide range of user needs.
The building now serves as a living showroom, demonstrating how reused furniture can be integrated into modern work and learning environments. The hope is that both users and visitors will be inspired to incorporate more repurposed furniture into future interior projects – including furniture from DTU’s own storage facilities – for the benefit of society and the environment.