ISFD Announces Biophilic Design in Wood as New Award for Pinnacle Awards in 2025

May 20, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

What is Biophilic Design?  Biophilic design is an evidence-based approach that integrates natural elements, such as hardwood, into built environments to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and foster a deeper connection to nature. It includes products that not only feature natural materials but also adhere to high design standards and reflect the core principles of nature-inspired design, such as natural lighting, organic shapes, and connections to outdoor spaces. These pieces create a visible and physical connection to nature by providing a sense of refuge, awakening curiosity, and inspiring awe. This new Pinnacle Awards category will recognize aesthetically exceptional furnishings that embody these design principles.

“I would like to thank our newest sponsor, Real American Hardwood, for helping us to acknowledge our talented furniture designers who are creating masterpieces that showcase this increasingly important design aesthetic,” stated David Blair, ISFD executive director. “If you’ve ever looked at a piece of wood furniture that has a gorgeous grain pattern, soft edges, and a quality that doesn’t just catch your eye but invites your gaze to linger, your fingers to run along its surface, and that tension in your shoulders to just dissolve, you know exactly what we’re talking about.”

RAH unites stakeholders across the hardwood industry to promote the unmatched beauty, durability, and sustainability of North American hardwoods. The organization connects designers with over 800 sources for hardwood lumber, flooring, cabinetry, and more, highlighting the lasting value of hardwood products.

Through its new magazine, Hardwood & Design, RAH showcases the work of designers and artisans who exemplify the best of American hardwood craftsmanship. Supported by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), RAH also advocates for responsible forestry, advances industry research, and educates stakeholders.

Together, RAH and NHLA ensure American hardwoods thrive in domestic and global markets, securing a sustainable future for this vital resource.

The deadline for entering the Pinnacle Awards and to be considered for the new Biophilic Design in Wood award is July 31, 2025. Submission details can be found at the 2025 Pinnacle Awards website.

Anyone interested in becoming an ISFD Corporate Partner can contact Blair at david.blair@isfd.org.

The International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) acknowledges that biophilic design is a developing movement in the furniture industry. To support this trend, ISFD is partnering with Real American Hardwood (RAH) to introduce the Biophilic Design in Wood category award to the 2025 Pinnacle Awards. This new award invites professional designers to showcase their work, highlighting how they use wood to bring the beauty of nature into interior spaces.

What is Biophilic Design?  Biophilic design is an evidence-based approach that integrates natural elements, such as hardwood, into built environments to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and foster a deeper connection to nature. It includes products that not only feature natural materials but also adhere to high design standards and reflect the core principles of nature-inspired design, such as natural lighting, organic shapes, and connections to outdoor spaces. These pieces create a visible and physical connection to nature by providing a sense of refuge, awakening curiosity, and inspiring awe. This new Pinnacle Awards category will recognize aesthetically exceptional furnishings that embody these design principles.

“I would like to thank our newest sponsor, Real American Hardwood, for helping us to acknowledge our talented furniture designers who are creating masterpieces that showcase this

increasingly important design aesthetic,” stated David Blair, ISFD executive director. “If you’ve ever looked at a piece of wood furniture that has a gorgeous grain pattern, soft edges, and a quality that doesn’t just catch your eye but invites your gaze to linger, your fingers to run along its surface, and that tension in your shoulders to just dissolve, you know exactly what we’re talking about.”

RAH unites stakeholders across the hardwood industry to promote the unmatched beauty, durability, and sustainability of North American hardwoods. The organization connects designers with over 800 sources for hardwood lumber, flooring, cabinetry, and more, highlighting the lasting value of hardwood products.

Through its new magazine, Hardwood & Design, RAH showcases the work of designers and artisans who exemplify the best of American hardwood craftsmanship. Supported by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), RAH also advocates for responsible forestry, advances industry research, and educates stakeholders.

Together, RAH and NHLA ensure American hardwoods thrive in domestic and global markets, securing a sustainable future for this vital resource.

The deadline for entering the Pinnacle Awards and to be considered for the new Biophilic Design in Wood award is July 31, 2025. Submission details can be found at the 2025 Pinnacle Awards website.

Anyone interested in becoming an ISFD Corporate Partner can contact Blair at david.blair@isfd.org.