Designing For Hospitality Today

Why Architects Turn to High-Performance Wood Flooring in the HORECA Sector

Hotels, restaurants and cafés are some of the most demanding environments an architect can design for. Every surface, every material and every detail plays a direct role in shaping the guest experience. In a world defined by high competition, evolving trends and ever-higher expectations, the HORECA sector rewards only the most thoughtful, durable and aesthetically confident solutions.

What Makes HORECA Design Unique

Hospitality architecture operates on a tight intersection of beauty and performance.

• Guest experience is everything. Comfort, atmosphere and visual identity must work seamlessly together.
• A strong concept is a competitive advantage. Architecture becomes part of the brand.
• Sustainability matters. Certifications like LEED, BREEAM and DGNB influence both design and material selection.
• Technology is rising. Smart rooms, integrated systems and flexible spaces shape how interiors function.

For architects, this creates a playground of creative possibility where material choices carry real narrative and functional weight.

Chevron as a Signature of Style

Across the Nordic region, Chevron and herringbone flooring have become hallmarks of high-end hotel interiors. Their geometric clarity, rhythm and elegance elevate even the busiest environments, while their robustness ensures longevity under constant foot traffic.

Two Norwegian reference projects exemplify this beautifully.

Britannia Hotel, Trondheim

Heritage Restored with Precision

First opened in 1870 and designed by Karl Norum, Britannia Hotel is a cornerstone of Norwegian cultural history with ties to polar exploration, political gatherings and royal receptions. After an extensive renovation completed in 2019, the five-star hotel now houses 236 rooms and suites, along with acclaimed restaurants such as Speilsalen.

Hørning provided both Chevron and herringbone oak flooring, chosen for their timeless elegance and ability to withstand the heavy daily use of a luxury hotel. The flooring forms a natural link between the building’s modern updates and its historic architectural identity, offering warmth, continuity and unmistakable craftsmanship.

Scandic Vulkan, Oslo

A Floor Built for a 24/7 Cultural Hub

Located in the vibrant Vulkan district along the Akerselva River, Scandic Vulkan sits at the heart of Oslo’s creative neighbourhoods. Designed by Niels Torp Arkitekter and opened in 2011, the hotel serves designers, artists, students and travellers in one dynamic urban ecosystem.

In a building where people move constantly from early morning to late night, the flooring must perform without compromise. The architect and client chose our Chevron oak solution not only for its visual impact but for its proven durability in high-traffic environments. Fully glued, precisely manufactured and crafted from solid oak, the floor delivers stability and longevity that align with the demands of modern hospitality design.

Crafting Floors for Experiences

In hospitality, the choice of floor is never just a technical decision. It shapes the mood the moment a guest enters. It withstands years of wear without losing its elegance. It supports the brand story an architect is trying to tell.

Chevron oak flooring offers the rare combination of aesthetic strength, tactile warmth and long-term performance. And with 100 years of experience in crafting solid wood flooring for some of the most visited buildings in Scandinavia, Hørning continues to support architects in creating hospitality spaces that are both inviting and enduring.

From historic icons to modern cultural hotspots, these projects show what is possible when design ambition meets uncompromising quality.