The Floor’s Journey

From Forest to Future – A Journey of Teak at Århus Statsgymnasium

Some floors are chosen to blend in. Others are chosen to stand out. At Århus Statsgymnasium, the decision to use vibrant plantation teak was bold, deliberate, and full of meaning.

Designed by Arne Gravers and Johan Richter, the gymnasium’s renovation aimed to respect the school's rich legacy while preparing it for generations of future students. The choice of material played a key role in achieving that balance. Enter: fresh plantation teak - a species known not just for its durability, but for its dynamic personality.

The Material: Alive with Variation

Unlike reclaimed or aged teak, plantation-grown teak is visually expressive, with striking variation in colour and grain. Some call it unpredictable; we call it full of life. This wasn’t a floor that could be tamed - it needed to be embraced.

The floor delivered for this project was our HØRNING Plantage TEAK – made in Denmark from 100% FSC^®-sourced timber. It’s a product that combines sustainability and craftsmanship with bold aesthetics.

From the moment the timber arrived at our facility, we knew this would require exceptional attention. Every board was assessed, prepared, and handled to ensure that the natural spectrum of the wood was allowed to shine without overwhelming the architectural language of the space. It was a balancing act between raw character and refined detail - exactly the kind of craftsmanship challenge Hørning is built to take on.

Craft Meets Context

The installation was guided by more than technical requirements. Together with the project’s architects and builders, we worked to make sure the teak flooring would act as both a visual feature and a grounding element for student life.

The tones - ranging from warm golden hues to deeper, almost copper shades - now run through the building like a quiet current. The variation is not hidden; it’s celebrated. This is a floor that changes subtly with the light, the season, and the pace of the school day. It speaks of nature, complexity, and the value of materials that aren’t one-note.

An Educational Statement

There’s a kind of poetry in using such a dynamic natural material in a place of learning. Like the students who walk its halls, no two pieces of teak are quite alike. Each carries a unique pattern shaped by time, climate, and growth - a fitting metaphor for education itself.

The decision to work with plantation teak also represents a forward-thinking approach to sourcing. As a renewable resource, responsibly managed teak plantations offer an alternative to harvesting natural forests - while still providing the strength and beauty this species is known for.

A Floor That Stands For Something

At Hørning, we’re proud to have contributed to a project that didn’t settle for safe choices. The floor at Århus Statsgymnasium is as ambitious and forward-looking as the institution it serves. It reminds us that when architects, craftspeople, and materials come together with intent, we don’t just create surfaces - we create statements.

And in this case, the statement is clear: good design starts from the ground up.

Photo by: Bjarne Lund Johansen