MONTEREY, CALIF.—Portola Hotel & Spa announced that it has earned LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, one of the most widely recognized designations in sustainable building and operations worldwide. The certification affirms what Portola has long believed: that genuine hospitality and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, evaluates buildings across a rigorous set of criteria including energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site development. Earning Gold certification places Portola Hotel & Spa among a distinguished class of properties that have demonstrated measurable, verifiable commitment to...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Hotel Belmar announces the debut of Artista, a natural evolution of its long-standing commitment to regenerative hospitality. Set within Monteverde’s iconic cloud forest in a fully car-free enclave adjacent to the main Belmar property, ten private retreats take shape, honoring the land through thoughtful design and long-term stewardship. The villas were expected to welcome guests beginning June 1. “Artista represents a natural progression in our journey. It reflects how our understanding of this land has deepened over time. We approached each villa as an artist approaches a work—carefully composing space, material, and light in dialogue with the forest....

VIKEN, SWEDEN—Bjelin has introduced a complete range of accessories to complement its flooring collections. These accessories are developed in response to market demand to simplify installation and ensure a perfect, professional finish. “Our accessories are specifically crafted and stained to perfectly match Bjelin’s flooring products, including the popular Woodura Planks and Woodura Herringbone,” says Bjelin’s CEO, Fredrik Alfredsson. The range covers every aspect of a flooring project, from underlays that enhance acoustics, level uneven surfaces and protect against moisture to essential tools that streamline installation. Among these is a milling cutter that precisely cuts borders for Bjelin’s herringbone floors and start...

TEMPLE, TEXAS—Wilsonart unveils Thinscape, its ½-inch ultra-thin composite tops that deliver a new design option when seeking slab options for both commercial and residential use. Lightweight, fabrication-friendly, and ready to perform, Thinscape bridges modern aesthetics with operational efficiency in a way that heavier stone materials simply cannot. Originally introduced to the residential market, Thinscape has gained significant momentum across commercial interiors, multifamily housing, retail, and factory-built environments as a smart alternative to other hard surfaces like granite. The appeal is straightforward: a premium surface at a more accessible price point, without the weight, sealing requirements, or fabrication complexity that traditional slab materials demand. At just ½-inch thick, Thinscape is a self-supporting composite slab that resists impact, scratches, heat, moisture, and stains with no sealing required. Its color-coordinated core produces...

SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett’s Chicago showroom (215 N. Peoria Street, Floor 10) will transform into a creative hub for interior designers from around the world during Design Days 2026, June 8 to 10. Attendees are invited to touch, build, explore and express freely, discovering the full creative flexibility of the Tarkett Solution SPECtrum, the company’s industry-leading flooring portfolio. “Creative expression is personal—and powerful. It’s how you shape the world. It’s how your spaces come to life, connecting with and caring for the people who use them every day,” said Omoleye Simmons, Tarkett’s Vice President of Design. “At Tarkett, we’re here to help...

HONG KONG—Fosun International Limited, together with its subsidiaries, released the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report 2025. Facing the increasingly severe challenges of global climate change, Fosun released its fourth Climate Information Disclosures Report with reference to Part D (“New Climate Requirements”) of Appendix C2 “Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Code” of the Main Board Listing Rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the framework of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and the International Financial Reporting Standards S2 Climate-related Disclosures Requirements. As an industry group rooted in China with a global presence, Fosun always places sustainability at the core...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by Barry Sternlicht, is now accepting reservations for 1 Hotel Austin, an urban sanctuary in the creative heartbeat of Texas. With an anticipated opening in August 2026, 1 Hotel Austin is set at the meeting point of Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake and anchors the 74-story Waterline, the tallest tower in the state. Developed by Lincoln Property Company and Kairoi Residential, the extraordinary mixed-use development reconnects the city to its natural waterways and transforms a previously neglected area into a thriving corridor. Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) designed the building, with HKS Architects...

SAN DIEGO—Kirei, part of Carnegie Acoustic Solutions and a provider of innovative, sustainable acoustic design materials for commercial interiors, announces two additions to the Lit Collection: HyperFly Clouds and HyperFly Baffles. Expanding the collection’s integrated approach to acoustics and lighting, developed in partnership with Seattle-based RESOLUTE Lighting, both designs translate organic, wing-inspired geometry into high-performance ceiling solutions that bring visual warmth, improved acoustics, and moments of illumination to active environments. Defined by sculptural fins and softly curved forms, HyperFly product designs increase the acoustic surface area while maintaining an open, airy presence overhead. Acoustic wings provide space for airflow and...

One of the most fascinating topics I have covered over the years has been the LEED certification of U.S. convention centers. According to Shepard Event Services, in 2026, nearly 30 U.S. convention centers enjoyed LEED certification across Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels. To see Shephard Event Services’ rundown of LEED certified convention centers and what makes each uniquely green, click here. You may just find some best practices to replicate. I will be interviewing some of the folks behind the design and construction of the new Austin (Texas) Convention Center soon. Set to open in 2029, the Center will run...

NEW YORK—Hyphyn, the first-of-its-kind biodegradable vinyl designed for high-traffic hospitality, healthcare, education, and retail environments, makes its Fulton Market Design Days debut and returns to NeoCon at The Mart in Chicago, June 8 to 10. Across both shows, attendees can experience the innovative material firsthand and learn about its reduced environmental impact with new test results confirming its safety for incineration. At Design Days, Hyphyn will exhibit within The Beaudega, where visitors can receive an exclusive crossbody bag crafted entirely from this sustainable material finished in a modern matte gray, showcasing its soft, refined texture and endless versatility. Attendees can also visit the Pallas Textiles showroom...