STAMFORD, CONN.—Westin Hotels & Resorts announced that it is applying its design-driven approach to its new public space design. Designed with guests’ well-being in mind, the new lobby incorporates natural design elements, flexible and functional zoning and conveniently-located retail and grab and go areas. Westin’s new public space concept is currently on display at Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and will continue to roll out at participating properties worldwide throughout 2013. Five additional hotels are slated to feature the new concept this year including Westin Indianapolis, Westin Boston Waterfront, Westin Birmingham, Westin Georgetown and Westin Bethesda.The Vertical Garden...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Results of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2012 Lodging Survey provide strong evidence that the greening of the U.S. lodging industry is continuing. Funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and conducted by STR, 52,155 U.S. hotel properties were polled in the survey that is conducted every two years. Similar data has been collected since 1988. There was a healthy response rate of 23 percent to this year’s survey.While most of the questions were repeated from previous years, there were new questions as well. For example, hoteliers were asked for the first time...

NEWTON, MASS.—Aircuity, the airside efficiency company, announced the release of a case study on the Mohegan Sun entitled, “Balancing a ‘World at Play’ with Sustainability and Environmental Objectives.” As demonstrated in the case study Aircuity helped Mohegan Sun maximize their energy efficiency by using centralized demand control ventilation (DCV) to provide the appropriate amount of ventilation for maximum occupant comfort in their resort and casino. Mohegan Sun is dedicated to providing world class entertainment in a facility that is clean, safe and enjoyable for guests. The Mohegan Tribe has a high regard for preserving the environment and chose Aircuity’s DCV...

JUPITER, FLA.—Fresh-Aire UV, manufacturer of the original 24-Volt Blue-Tube UV and the APCO in-duct air purifiers, introduces the Tubular Rack UV System (TRS), a germicidal ultra-violet (UV) light IAQ product. The low-cost TRS is designed for effective microbial disinfection in new construction and retrofit IAQ industrial and commercial applications.Designed for on-site configuration with all major brands and sizes of HVAC equipment, the TRS disinfects interior wall surfaces, coils and the supply airstream of air handlers. The kit consists of a lifetime-warranty multi-voltage power supply, Fresh-Aire UV’s UV lamps and all the necessary installation bracketing, mounting hardware and marine-grade, waterproof...

PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO—Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems can vary from season to season. But many people, especially those with allergies, are most impacted during the hot summer months. And the hot weather often makes them more susceptible to other respiratory problems. When it comes to IAQ, cleaning professionals can either protect it or make it worse. Enviro-Solutions, a manufacturer of green cleaning products, offers the following “Top Ten Ways Cleaning Workers Can Help Protect Indoor Air Quality This Summer” and keep indoor air clean and healthy. 1. Select cleaning products that have been certified and proven-Green by a leading certification body.2....

REUTLINGEN, GERMANY—AppliedSensor, a designer and manufacturer of chemical sensor components, recently introduced its intelligent air quality (iAQ) Duct Kit enabling the integration of a complete air duct sensor into a demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) system. The kit was marketed to OEMs and exhibited at Sensor + Test 2012, in Nürnberg, Germany. The trade fair hosted nearly 600 exhibitors and more than 8,000 attendees from approximately 30 nations.“A growing number of studies suggest that some VOCs are potentially harmful to your health,” said AppliedSensor GmbH director of marketing and sales Heiko Ulmer. “While there are a few mixed gas duct sensors...

STAMFORD, CONN.—In celebration of the brand’s sixth anniversary of Breathe Westin, Westin Hotels & Resorts announced that The Westin Paris—Vendôme is the latest addition to its growing global portfolio of smoke-free hotels. In January 2006, Westin became the first major hotel chain to introduce a brand-wide smoke-free policy across all its North America properties. The Westin Paris—Vendôme, which boasts impressive views of the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, joins a host of international properties that have gone smoke free since the brand first introduced Breathe Westin six years ago. Westin continues to explore opportunities to introduce Breathe into new...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Saint-Gobain has achieved GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality and GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification for its Grenite series of engineered stone surfaces. In order to become GREENGUARD Certified, the entire Grenite line met stringent certification requirements for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). “These certifications reinforce our commitment to producing quality products that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also help set an industry standard of sustainability and ongoing health and safety,” said Diana Ohl, product manager engineered stone at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. “By meeting the strict standards provided by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, specifying Grenite for commercial and...

INDIANAPOLIS—CityWay, a transformative new 14-acre neighborhood in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, is incorporating a number of sustainable initiatives into the new community, including plentiful green space, energy and water efficiency, a recycling program, enhanced indoor environmental quality, carpooling and electric vehicle support. It is also pursuing LEED certification for the new Alexander Hotel, a Dolce Hotel, affirming CityWay’s support for environmentally-conscious design, construction and living for downtown.“Sustainable living and working are central to the vision for CityWay,” said Scott Travis, senior development director of Buckingham Companies. “From the construction phase through its completion, CityWay will remain on the...

PULASKI, N.Y.—PURE Global announced that PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms has been awarded the PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved) Winner’s Seal of Approval. PTPA Media has North America’s largest volunteer parent testing community, with more than 40,000 parents and was rated the Most Trusted Seal by 22,000 parents.The PTPA Winner’s Seal is evidence of a product’s excellence from having been evaluated by unbiased parent testers.Independent parent volunteers evaluate products in their own homes or on a commercial site—in this instance several hotels across North America—to ensure that PTPA winners are chosen based on merit and consumer experience, not on commercial...