Biophilic Design And Wooden Floors

Biophilic Design and Wooden Floors: A Sustainable Future in Architecture

A Century of Craft and Responsibility

For a century, Hørning has safeguarded and refined the Danish tradition of bespoke wooden flooring. That legacy is rooted in craftsmanship, longevity, and a profound respect for natural materials. Today, as architecture increasingly looks to biophilic principles to create healthier, more human environments, this dedication feels more relevant than ever.
Our ambition for the next century echoes the first: to craft with care, to build responsibly and to honour the quiet, enduring beauty of wood.

Wooden Floors as a Foundation of Biophilic Design

In biophilic design, materials are not mere surfaces. They are conduits to the natural world.
Wooden floors bring warmth, texture and authenticity into interior spaces in a way few other materials can. They age gracefully, carry the imprint of time and support an aesthetic that feels both grounding and life-enhancing.

At the same time, modern wooden flooring is anchored in rigorous environmental documentation. Architects can rely on:

• FSC and PEFC certification for responsible forestry
• Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold for documented low emissions and healthy indoor environments
• EPD (Environmental Product Declarations) for verified climate and environmental data

Wood is inherently future-proof: natural, renewable and capable of lasting generations when crafted with care.

Carbon, Climate and the Architect’s Influence

The built environment is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. As outlined in the Paris Agreement, meaningful reductions are now urgent.
This places architects in a uniquely influential position. Decisions made during design, particularly material choices, determine a building’s long-term carbon footprint.

Wood stands out for its environmental virtues. It is a renewable resource that stores carbon throughout its life cycle, pulling CO₂ from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen in return. When used responsibly and documented transparently, wooden floors contribute to buildings that are both climate-conscious and deeply humane.

A Practical Toolkit for Sustainable Specification

To support strategic sustainability decisions, architects increasingly rely on robust documentation. Hørning’s product range is accompanied by:

• EPD: clear data on environmental impact
• FSC and PEFC: assurance of responsible sourcing
• Eurofins certification: confidence in indoor air quality

These tools allow architects to design with clarity, balancing aesthetics, performance and accountability. They support certification systems such as DGNB, BREEAM and LEED, making sustainable choices both measurable and defensible.

Case Study: Gardermoen Airport

A compelling example of biophilic principles in action is Gardermoen Airport in Oslo. With more than 32 million travellers a year, the environment demands exceptional durability.
Yet the decision to use wooden flooring was deliberate: passengers spend long periods indoors, often under stress, and the warmth of wood supports a calmer, more welcoming atmosphere.

Here, the material’s natural resilience and acoustic properties complement its aesthetic presence. The result is a space that withstands extraordinary wear while offering a distinctly human sense of comfort.

Towards a More Sustainable Architectural Future

Biophilic design is not a trend. It is a response to the growing need for buildings that support both planetary boundaries and human wellbeing.

Wooden flooring plays a vital role in that shift. It is tactile, enduring and environmentally responsible when sourced and documented correctly. It transforms spaces while supporting the deeper rhythms of life and nature.

At Hørning, we will continue to honour our 100-year heritage by crafting floors that bridge past and future. Floors that respect the forest, enhance architecture and inspire generations to come.