WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced it will be convening its members and stakeholders this June for USGBC Live to be held virtually from June 8 to 10, 2021. USGBC Live will unify regional and local perspectives to establish a global vision for USGBC and LEED and the adoption of LEED. “USGBC Live will streamline and integrate various practices to help the market accomplish their green building goals in an easier and more efficient way,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council. “In short, this is where we provide early access to, and shape, the future of LEED. The future is...

OJAI, CALIF.—Ojai Valley Inn, the iconic luxury resort recognized last month as one of the Top 500 Hotels in the World in 2021 by Travel + Leisure, welcomed back guests beginning last month, following a months-long, $5 million renovation felt across the award-winning Spa Ojai, including new Spa Penthouse Suites. “We’re thrilled to be recognized as one of the top hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure, especially in light of the challenges of the past year,” says Chris Kandziora, General Manager. “As part of our commitment to being a premier getaway destination in California, we took time during...

In late March, BREEAM hosted the first ever online BREEAM Awards ceremony. The three-day virtual event celebrated this year’s shortlisted and winning projects with over 400 attendees joining online from all over the world. BREEAM has been the world-leading sustainability assessment method for planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings for over 30 years. The BREEAM Awards is an annual celebration recognizing the projects and organizations that, in the view of the independent judging panel, are leading the way with significant achievements in sustainable building design, development and management. The three-day ceremony, which was hosted by BRE’s Head of Building Performance Services Shamir...

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has made sustainability a top priority and is taking steps to reduce environmental impacts. While the coronavirus pandemic impacted hosting events in 2020, NOENMCC took advantage of the downtime and made critical facility upgrades that will reduce their environmental footprint, and in turn, help make the facility a leader in sustainable events. “As one of the top convention center facilities in the nation, it is crucial that we meet and exceed national standards when it comes to sustainability and environmental impact,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President. “Nowadays, sustainability...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—Successful developer, businessman and visionary Darius Smith has launched ASJ Homes, a new leader in modern shipping container houses. Smith is also introducing a new cryptocurrency called Container Tokens, which will be used to raise funds for a new chain of shipping container boutique micro hotels. Ground is expected to be broken on the first container hotel by 2023. After many years of renovating homes and obtaining 200 percent-plus returns on development flips, Smith is venturing into new home construction via shipping containers, which makes building less expensive and quicker. ASJ Homes will offer one- and two-story options and carefully take into...

LAS VEGAS—Spring is in full bloom at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens as the resort debuts its new display, “Springtime Celebrations Around the World.” Beautifully designed floral creations represent renowned springtime celebrations in The Netherlands, England, Thailand, and the United States. An abundance of blooming spring flowers, cherry blossom trees, hummingbirds and whimsical butterflies fill the Conservatory, representing growth, resilience, and the dawning of a new season. Designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s horticulture team meticulously designed “Springtime Celebrations Around the World,” bringing to life cherished spring traditions from different cultures. “As we leave the dreary winter months behind, we spring forward...

If you did a search on shipping container on Green Lodging News, it would turn up several pages of articles. In the coming week I will be adding yet another article. It is quite an interesting story, but Michigan developer, businessman and visionary Darius Smith just launched ASJ Homes. His company will break ground on the first shipping container home in the next two months. Now the really interesting (or confusing if you, like me, get confused by crypto currency) part: Smith is also introducing a new cryptocurrency called Container Tokens, which will be used to raise funds for...

NEW YORK—Supreen, a revolutionary new performance fabric, tackles the spills and stains of everyday life without compromising high-end design, sustainability, or materiality. A fusion of beauty and brawn, Supreen brings cutting-edge woven and coated technology to create a unique liquid-barrier textile with a soft hand that offers impressive upholstery options. This leading combination represents an evolution of performance fabrics, offering manufacturers and designers the durability they need with the aesthetic they seek. Named after a combination of the words “supple” and “preen,” preserving comfort and beauty is key to Supreen’s ethos. With a supple, surprisingly soft hand, “preen” references the...

MIAMI—Rising to extraordinary heights, in both altitude and achievement, the “Jewel” is the first beach-front development on the Gold Coast of Australia in over 30 years. Designed by architect Chad Oppenheim, FAIA, of the international firm Oppenheim Architecture, The Jewel towers rise in unison on the city’s shores, joining luxury residences with a five-star hotel—all spanning across a three-tower crystalline complex. The mixed-use development sets a new standard of luxury living among a spread of business amenities, dining experiences, and health and wellness services, all while paying tribute to its surroundings. Oppenheim Architecture was selected as a winner of developer...

SAN FRANCISCO—Smith & Fong announced the introduction of Durapalm Sugar Linear Panels, according to company founder and CEO Dan Smith. “We are really excited to offer this new linear look in the sugar palm range of plywood and panel goods,” Smith said. “It is hard to describe the radiant, multidimensional visual aesthetic of this product. In a line of one-of-a-kind palm-based products, this one still stands out.” Produced from Indian black palm (sugar palm), the graining of this panel is derived from the varying color range of stem wood available from this palm species. Colors of black coffee and nutmeg tones...