Designing for Nature: How American Hardwoods Champion Natural Materials for the Built Environment

Materials in the built environment are increasingly expected to do more than look beautiful. Architects, designers, and developers are seeking products that promote wellness, comfort, and a deeper connection to the natural world. This is the heart of biophilic design, and American hardwoods are at its core.

As demand grows for nature-based solutions in our homes, schools, workplaces, and public spaces, American hardwoods offer a proven, elegant, and sustainable way to meet that need.

From flooring and wall paneling to ceilings, millwork, and furniture, American hardwoods offer designers a flexible, high-impact way to integrate biophilic principles across a wide range of interior and exterior applications.

Natural Wood, Designed for Well-Being

American hardwoods are inherently biophilic. Their grain, scent, texture, and warmth engage the senses and ground us in nature. Beyond aesthetics, these attributes are linked to measurable health benefits. Studies show that interiors featuring real wood can:

• Lower heart rate and blood pressure

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Enhance focus and mental clarity

A 2021 study published in Building and Environment found that wood-rich environments in schools and offices significantly improved attention and psychological well-being, especially for younger populations.

The Smart, Sustainable Choice

American hardwoods aren’t just beautiful; they’re environmentally intelligent. Harvested from responsibly managed forests in the U.S., species like white oak, maple, ash, and cherry offer a compelling sustainability story:

• Renewable – U.S. forests grow more hardwoods than are harvested annually

• Durable – Contributing to long life cycles and reduced material replacement

• Low-emitting – Especially when finished with natural oils or water-based coatings

• Biodegradable – A natural alternative to synthetic or composite products

These features support certifications and frameworks such as LEED, WELL, and the Living Building Challenge, particularly in categories tied to environmental impact and material health.

What Makes a Product Biophilic?

Biophilic design is gaining traction, but many specifiers still face confusion when choosing products that align with wellness and nature-inspired goals. While sustainability is a start, true biophilic products must also deliver:

• Sensory richness

• Material authenticity

• A sense of place and connection to the natural environment

Putting Hardwood Front and Center

The American hardwood industry has long been a leader in craftsmanship and regional pride. But what’s often overlooked is how these materials naturally support the core principles of biophilic design:

• Visual complexity and order – The unique variation in wood grain promotes visual engagement without overwhelming the eye

• Authenticity – Amid a marketplace saturated with engineered materials, real wood restores material honesty and warmth

• Local identity – Regionally sourced species provide cultural and geographic context to the built environment

By recognizing these benefits, American hardwood manufacturers can position their products at the forefront of a growing wellness-focused movement in architecture and design.

These qualities are not only resonating domestically, but are increasingly being reinforced through global conversations around biophilic design.

This global alignment was reinforced at the recent Biophilic Design Conference in London, where leading voices in architecture, neuroscience, and sustainability emphasized the urgent need for authentic, nature-based materials. North American hardwoods stand out as a prime example of how biophilic principles can be delivered through real, renewable materials that support wellness, place-based design, and long-term performance.

Bridging the Gap: American Hardwoods + Biophilic Design

The International Biophilic Products Association (IBPA) was formed to help clarify and champion what it means to create and specify biophilic products, and American hardwoods are a natural fit.

We’re working to define standards, educate the design community, and elevate natural materials that offer genuine wellness value. Through our upcoming initiatives, we aim to position American hardwoods for broader recognition as essential to healthier, more human-centered environments.

IBPA provides:

• A searchable registry of verified biophilic products

• Aggressive social media and digital marketing

• CEU-accredited education on nature-based materials

• Networking opportunities• And more

Join the Movement

Biophilic design is not a passing trend; it’s a shift toward more restorative, regenerative spaces. As our environments grow more complex, the need for materials that soothe, calm, and reconnect us to nature will only increase.

American hardwoods—timeless, tactile, and renewable—are central to this transformation.

The International Biophilic Products Association proudly supports the manufacturers, designers, and advocates shaping a healthier, nature-connected future through wood.

Learn more at: www.biophilicproducts.org

Reference

Zhang, Y., Dang, J., & Wu, L. (2021). The psychological benefits of natural materials in learning and workplace environments: A comparison of wooden and non-wooden interiors. Building and Environment, 206, 108357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108357