NATIONAL REPORT—As a hotel owner or resort operator, you have opportunities to make a welcoming environment for your guests while contributing to a healthier planet. One effective way to achieve both is by repurposing materials within your establishment. This approach can save costs and enhance guest comfort. Plus, it can improve your property’s aesthetics and bolster your reputation as an eco-conscious business. Here are practical ideas for repurposing materials for comfort and sustainability. Get started and make the most of the benefits behind these sustainable shifts. Upcycled Furniture for Unique Aesthetics Transform guestrooms and communal areas by incorporating upcycled furniture. For instance, reimagine old suitcases into storage chests. Also, try repurposing any reclaimed wood...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—LX Hausys America Inc., an innovative manufacturer of building and decorative materials, announced that its ForestFusion Collection has been recognized with a 2024 GOOD DESIGN Award in the Floor and Wall Covering category. This esteemed award, presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, celebrates outstanding design and innovation across various industries. This year marked the 75th anniversary of the GOOD DESIGN Awards, which received thousands of submissions from leading designers and manufacturers across 56 countries. The ForestFusion Collection is a testament to LX Hausys’ commitment to blending...

NILES, ILL.—The Mitchell Group, a major converter of coated fabrics to upholstery markets around the world, is excited to share the opening of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to its Sta-Kleen Silicone line. This cutting-edge facility represents a significant advancement in sustainable manufacturing, underscoring the company’s long-standing commitment to clean energy. For nearly a decade, The Mitchell Group has partnered with the world’s leading silicone producer to deliver Sta-Kleen Silicone, which has set the benchmark for performance in silicone upholstery. With the launch of this new facility, the partnership is poised to enhance production capabilities while reinforcing The Mitchell...

As more consumers and designers increasingly prioritize wellness, biophilic design has become a driving force in furniture manufacturing, especially within hospitality spaces. Beyond simply adding greenery, biophilic design extends to the materials and textures and is reflected in the craftsmanship that collectively shapes a space holistically. Incorporating biophilic elements into furniture manufacturing involves utilizing responsibly sourced materials like reclaimed wood, embracing organic forms, and applying textured finishes. It’s imperative for brands to design biophilic furniture that connects to nature while minimizing environmental impact. A commitment to durable, recyclable materials ensures that sustainability is built into every piece—without compromising the client’s...

CHENNAI, INDIA—The Ceebros Hotels have always been committed to world-class hospitality while ensuring environmentally responsible operations. As part of this vision, they have undertaken the refurbishment of Pullman, Anna Salai with a strong focus on sustainability, integrating both active and passive energy-efficient measures. Their approach included smart air handling units, water-cooled chillers, an IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring system integrated with IBMS, optimal window glazing, DGU systems, and the use of sustainable interior materials. This major renovation retained nearly 100 percent of the existing structure, aligning with a commitment to responsible redevelopment. The company’s dedication to sustainability has been further reinforced...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced that reservations are now being accepted for 1 Hotel Melbourne, a landmark waterfront property set to debut in June 2025. This marks 1 Hotels’ highly anticipated entrance into the Australian market, bringing an award-winning blend of sustainable luxury and nature-inspired design to the heart of Melbourne, in collaboration with developer Riverlee. The centerpiece of this building is the heritage listed Goods Shed No. 5, the last of the unrenovated goods sheds in what was once Melbourne’s busiest port. The property will redefine luxury hospitality in the region...

ATLANTA—Interface, Inc., the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, announced it is incorporating captured carbon in its manufacturing processes as a key raw material to store more carbon and lower the carbon footprints of its carpet tile products. This aligns with the company’s “all in” commitment to be carbon negative by 2040, and to repurpose former carbon offset investments into projects that accelerate carbon reduction and carbon storage. As of today, Interface’s carpet tile manufacturing processes in the U.S. and Europe now use captured carbon. Customers now receive a lower carbon footprint carpet tile for their projects at...

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—Treehouse Hotels—the nostalgia-fueled, free-spirited hospitality brand created by Barry Sternlicht, Founder and Chairman of Starwood Hotels—announced that Treehouse Hotel Manchester opened its doors on March 19. The second U.K. outpost of the Treehouse Hotels brand is a fresh addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene, designed to spark curiosity and joy at every turn and bring people together in unexpected ways. And the adventure doesn’t stop there. Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley—the brand’s first U.S. location—recently opened, bringing the total number of Treehouse properties from one to three. Treehouse Hotel Manchester Is Now Open Located in the heart of the city on the corner of Blackfriars Street...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium site furniture, structure, lighting, and accessories, has announced the launch of the 21 Lounge Chair, a new addition to its celebrated 21 line created in collaboration with Grand Rapids-based design studio, Modello USA. Building on the success of the original 21 Chair, the 21 Lounge Chair offers a new level of outdoor comfort and style, designed to invite relaxation while maintaining the modern elegance and versatile styling for which the line is known. Named for the roomy 21”-wide seat pan, the 21 Lounge Chair embodies the line’s “designed for anywhere...

Today’s design decisions for the hospitality industry, and the built environment generally, will have an impact on human health, ecosystem health, and planetary health for generations. So, it’s important that “cost” is appropriately defined and understood. This is made more complicated by a lack of published information (the majority of products used in the built environment do not fully disclose their contents and only a small minority of HPDs are prepared by an independent third party) and the prevalence of greenwashing. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or simply “vinyl”) is very familiar to many designers and has been for decades, so understandably,...