Recognizing a significant movement in the furniture industry, the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) partnered with Real American Hardwood (RAH) to introduce the “Biophilic Design in Wood” category to its 2025 Pinnacle Awards.

Winners of the Pinnacle Awards, including the new category, announced during the October 27 High Point Market, highlight the growing demand for evidence-based biophilic design, which integrates natural elements like hardwood to enhance well-being and reduce stress in built environments.

Biophilic design 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, ISFD said.

The inaugural category resulted in a tie for the top prize. Honors were shared by:

“Madura Outdoor Sofa” from Bernhardt Furniture, designed by the Bernhardt Exteriors Design Team.

“Pelican Storage Chair + Perriand Table” from Hévéa House, designed by Lee Pei Pei and Francois Iglesia.

According to ISFD, the new category recognizes aesthetically exceptional furnishings that not only feature natural materials but also adhere to high design standards and reflect nature-inspired principles.

“We proudly sponsored the Biophilic Design in Wood category — spotlighting work that brings nature indoors through form, function, and material,” RAH said in a statement. The organization, which promotes North American hardwoods, added that the “nature-connected design reinforces the same values we stand behind: timeless materiality, sustainable beauty, and human-centered craft.”

The two winners were chosen from a field of four finalists, which also included the “Bleached Graystone Freeform Console” from the Phillips Collection and the “Nova Étagére” from David Francis, LLC.

“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.

Blair noted the tangible effect of biophilic wood on design style, “If you’ve ever looked at a piece of wood furniture that has a gorgeous grain pattern... and [felt] that tension in your shoulders to just dissolve, you know exactly what we’re talking about.”

For more information on the awards program, visit isfd.org.