A contemporary timber interior at BIG HQ in Copenhagen
A high-performance interior wood solution combining architectural precision, fire safety, and the natural aesthetics of Douglas Fir.
The BIG HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark, demonstrates how modern architecture can integrate fire-safe wood solutions without compromising material authenticity. The project emphasises clean architectural expression and natural materials, with interior wood surfaces playing a central role in the spatial experience; to meet stringent fire requirements while preserving the visual quality of Douglas Fir, all 2,250 m² of interior woodwork was treated with a transparent, colour-matched solution, showing how fire protection can support architectural intent without altering the material’s natural character.
Project Facts
- Type of Building:
Public / Commercial Interior - Fire protection class:
B-s1,d0 - Location:
Copenhagen, Denmark - Fire protected:
All interior woodwork
Where material expression meets fire performance
Wood plays a defining role in the architectural language of the project. The interior design relies on the warmth and tactility of Douglas Fir, creating a cohesive and natural atmosphere throughout the space.
Maintaining this visual integrity required a fire protection solution that would not alter the tone, grain, or character of the wood. By applying a colour-matched treatment, the project preserves the authentic appearance of Douglas Fir while ensuring compliance with strict fire regulations. The result is a seamless integration of safety and design where fire performance becomes an enabler rather than a limitation.
Enabling visible wood in high-performance interiors
The project demonstrates how advanced fire-retardant treatments allow visible wood surfaces to be used safely in interiors requiring high fire classifications.
All timber elements were treated to achieve B-s1,d0, enabling their use in a regulated environment without the need for encapsulation or surface alteration. This approach supports architectural freedom, allowing wood to remain fully visible and expressive as part of the design concept. The use of an industrial coating line ensured consistent application quality across all components, meeting both technical and aesthetic requirements.
Precision application through industrial processing
The fire treatment was applied using an industrial coating line, ensuring uniform coverage and consistent quality across all wood elements, with the process completed between June and August 2023 to support efficient integration into the construction timeline. Using NT Deco 1130, the project achieves B-s1,d0 fire performance while preserving the natural appearance of Douglas Fir, enabling visible, untreated-looking wood surfaces in a regulated environment and allowing the architectural intent to be realised without compromise.
"Maintaining the natural expression of Douglas Fir while meeting stringent fire requirements was essential for this project. With Treet’s solution, we were able to achieve the required fire performance while fully preserving the intended material expression."
– Ole Elkjær-Larsen
Project responsible, BIG HQ
BIG HQ
Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, the BIG HQ reflects the design philosophy of Bjarke Ingels Group where functionality, aesthetics, and innovation intersect. The project integrates natural materials into a contemporary architectural framework, emphasising clarity, quality, and user experience.
Through the use of fire-protected wood, the project demonstrates how architecture can balance safety, sustainability, and material authenticity. It reinforces the role of timber as a viable and expressive material in modern construction, even within strict regulatory environments.
