For those of you counting the number of LEED Platinum certified lodging establishments in the United States, the current number stands at four thanks to the recent certification of The Crash Pad, a hostel in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. The other three U.S. properties include The Skyler Hotel in Syracuse, N.Y., the Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in Yountville, Calif., and the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C. LEED Platinum is the highest of the four LEED certification levels offered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The Crash Pad is the second hostel Green Lodging News has reported on in the past several months. It opened in June of last year but it took more than a year to receive word of its LEED certification. The other hostel is located in downtown Boston and is pursuing LEED Gold certification.
The two hostels are quite different in size. The Boston hostel has 480 beds; The Crash Pad has 30 beds (24 in bunk areas and six in six private rooms). Both projects are worth studying for their energy and water efficiency and their unique use of “recycled” materials.
A Boutique Style Hostel
The Crash Pad, while a hostel, incorporates elements of a boutique style hotel. Local artwork can be seen throughout the property. There is a green roof, a solar installation, and greywater from bathroom sinks is filtered and reused to fill toilet tanks for flushing. LEDs keep lighting costs downs. Wood from one of the structures that was torn down to make room for the hostel was used to make the beds. The owners participate in the 1% for the Planet Program which encourages local businesses to contribute one percent of sales to environmental groups around the world.
While The Crash Pad was newly constructed, the Boston hostel was built using an existing historic structure. It takes advantage of the building’s large windows and historical design features. Interior lighting is minimal with only track lighting in guestrooms. To ensure a high level of energy efficiency, a four-pipe heating and cooling system was installed. The brick structure was newly insulated and new elevators generate electricity when braking.
High-efficiency fixtures help minimize water consumption in the guestrooms. Preference was given to locally sourced and fabricated materials. Timbers taken from the original structure were reused as tabletops and in the stairs. There is a dining room with chairs made from recycled materials.
It is exciting to see the greening of lodging take place at every level—from the hostel to extended-stay to luxury. Developers are proving that no matter the average daily rate, there is room for cool, eco-chic design and products and technologies that ensure a high level of efficiency.
Green Lodging News Adds EnviroTextiles as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes EnviroTextiles as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Based in Glenwood Springs, Colo., EnviroTextiles specializes in sustainable textiles. All of the company’s products are made from organic sources; including hemp, agave cactus, coconut fiber, and others. Each product must pass Sustainable Biodegradable Products Certification. EnviroTextiles currently provides wholesale hemp fabric and sustainable textiles to more than 60 countries. For more information, e-mail info@envirotextile.com, call (970) 945-5986, or go to www.envirotextile.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for the 2012 or 2013?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2012 and 2013. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2012 or 2013 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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