Schotten & Hansen 40 Years – In the Business of Wooden Flooring

Schotten & Hansen began at the hands of Danish carpenter and restorer Torben Hansen in 1984 in Bavaria. In the 40 years since, it has become a global leader in innovative regenerable wooden flooring and surfaces, while honing in on traditional craftsmanship. 

As a specialist solution provider, Schotten & Hansen is renowned for its smooth floorboards and parquet floors, as well as complimentary wall and ceiling veneers, doors, and micro-perforated acoustic elements. With a deep respect for nature, the focus is on sustainable wooden products that are in harmony with their surroundings. 

With such attention to detail, Schotten & Hansen products have found homes in the world’s most inspiring spaces, from luxury homes to hotels, yachts and private members’ clubs. To list all of these projects, we would need a much larger word count, but, to name-drop a few, there are works with architects and designers Antonio Citterio, Ina Rinderknecht, Francisco Cortina, Norman Foster and Matteo Thun. 

“It has been an extraordinary four-decade journey, and I am truly grateful to have contributed to some of the world’s most exciting projects,” says Hansen. “I’ve had the chance of collaborating closely with remarkable architects, designers, and esteemed partners who have become friends of the house, appreciating our products as lifelong companions.”

Founder Torben Hansen is still at the helm of the business. His sons Maximilian and Ulrich joined the family business in recent years and now act as head of product management and UK managing director, respectively.

To mark Schotten & Hansen’s milestone anniversary, the team has collaborated on a series of events and launches with a unique approach. During Salone Del Mobile in Milan, it partnered with luxury home appliances manufacturer Gaggenau and architect Hendrik Müller to create a new bespoke wooden surface for The Elevation of Gravity installation at Villa Necchi. With a unique textured layer, this three-dimensional wooden surface was inspired by the ridgelines of the Alps between Bavaria and Italy. The Ridgeline surface will form part of a future product collection and, for now, is available on request.

At Clerkenwell Design Week in London, they showcased the Mythical Forest Salon with Kit Kemp Design Studio, whom Schotten & Hansen has worked with for 20 years, like an extended family. Of special note is the Firmdale Hotels – all individually designed from New York to London.

“Two decades ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Kit Kemp, and since then, our flooring has been an integral part of most of the Firmdale Hotels. It stands as a lasting testament, showcasing that our renewable surfaces transcend the constraints of time,” says Hansen. “A visit to the prestigious Ham Yard Hotel in London will lead you to a floor that tells countless stories and retains the authentic character of natural ingredients and wood, embodying durability since the hotel opening in 2014.”

At the Mythical Forest Salon, Kit Kemp's design director, Minnie Kemp, dreamed up an immersive space showcasing Schotten & Hansen’s pioneering magnetic product treatment for floors and tables. The outstanding floor designs included a curated palette of eight Douglas Fir veneers, which can be used across a multitude of surfaces for maximum impact.

But the showpiece was the Pit-A-Pat table, made up of interchangeable magnetic insert wooden veneer pieces. Two striking tabletop designs, London and New York, are fully functioning art pieces that can evolve with spaces over time. With a sophisticated bronze frame and simple solid oak legs, the surface is the talking point.

“Incorporating wood into interiors goes beyond mere decoration; it creates an environment that echoes the calm and restorative qualities of the outdoors,” says Minnie. “Schotten & Hansen are wood craftsmen who totally understand this. It’s so inspiring to see them pushing the boundaries in their field and to work alongside them you feel like anything is possible.”

This latest project makes the most of Schotten & Hansen’s recent innovations, including a natural veneer colour collection, which came after decades of research based on the Natural Colour System. 

“The combination of traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology gives us the means to realise complex interior projects, all over the world. Our customers delight in our refined wood products and natural finishes. This motivates everyone at Schotten & Hansen to give their best every day,” says CEO Bernhard Heinloth. “Utilising the company’s shared passion as a foundation, we can envision a future where innovation and adaptability continue to drive growth and success and position us as a unique full-service provider.”

Much like those who plant trees for future generations to seek shade, Hansen has seeded a sustainable and striking business that ensures a whole forest of creativity will flourish.

“As I look forward, I’m excited to work with the next generation to continue to innovate and inspire, creating wooden products and finishes with the utmost care and respect for the trees and woodlands,” says Hansen.