LAS VEGAS—HD Expo 2017 wrapped up in Las Vegas on May 5 after attracting more than 800 exhibitors and more than 10,000 attendees. The reconfigured show floor allowed for 275,000 square feet of show floor space. The annual event was an opportunity for suppliers to display their latest innovations and that they did. Many of the new products and technologies on hand have a green story behind them—whether having to do with the material they are made of or the energy or water they conserve. It would be impossible in this space to include all of the green news...

SEATTLE—The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) announced that it has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings; certification is established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC) and verified by the Green Building Institute. LEED certification takes into account the use of energy, lighting, water, and materials, as well as the incorporation of a variety of other sustainable strategies, and is awarded based on the square footage of space divided by the kilowatt-hours of...

LAS VEGAS—Interface Hospitality, part of Interface, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of modular carpet and a worldwide leader in the design and production of modular flooring products, showcased its custom process for innovative design services in the hospitality industry at this year’s HD Expo. The event was held last week in Las Vegas. Interface Hospitality has a holistic approach to flooring, which positively shapes the guest experience, delivers value to hotel owners and enables its customers to achieve their design intent. “Our hope is to show people how we engage with a hotel brand and give them a full understanding of...

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman has introduced the Kubos Collection, an assortment of hospitality exclusive bathroom fixtures inspired by pure, modern design. Each item in this collection features a crisp, square frame that is both clean and refined. “At Speakman, we’ve always had an obsession with simplicity,” says Jeff Harwanko, Lead Designer of Product & Packaging at Speakman. “And with Kubos, we stripped away every unnecessary detail to create a collection that is completely absent of clutter.” The Kubos Collection marks one of Speakman’s most substantial product launches to date. Featuring over 15 unique items, including shower heads, faucets, and a significant variety...

NATIONAL REPORT—During a hotel stay, guests expect their bathrooms to have a fresh and modern look.  Old, dated or damaged bathtubs, wall surrounds, vanities or toilets reflect poorly on the hotel’s brand. As such, many hotels regularly replace bathroom components to maintain customer satisfaction and earn positive reviews and loyalty in return. Fortunately, for the lodging industry the bathroom is also an area with the most opportunity for a “green” remodel. In addition to water and energy saving possibilities, selecting eco-friendly construction materials that are recyclable should also be on every owner or manager’s list of requirements. According to Environmental Protection...

ATLANTA—Shaw Contract has relaunched A Walk in the Garden, a fresh take on a collection which helped pioneer the Cradle to Cradle Product Standard. In collaboration with visionary William McDonough, the collection features four styles in a 9 x 36 in (23 x 91 cm) format and a refreshed color palette of 10 core colors. The collection was inspired by William McDonough’s visit to a garden in China, where he was struck by the harmony of manmade weathered surfaces in nature. “Every time I saw a new landscape below my feet, I would photograph it because I found this incredible variety...

ATLANTA—When the global lighting, design and technology community converges at LIGHTFAIR International in Philadelphia May 7 to 11, professionals from around the world will discover a full slate of industry-specific networking events available to elevate and enhance the trade show and conference experience. The LIGHTFAIR 2017 events lineup brings together professionals to make connections and find out about what’s on the horizon in lighting design, directly from industry experts and manufacturers. Highlighting the 2017 events featured in The HUB, Impact Speaker David Robertson will explore the fascinating topic of innovation. His presentation, “How Any Company Can Learn from LEGO’s Successful Innovation Management...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Geberit North America will showcase the latest trends for hospitality bathroom spaces at the 2017 HD Expo in Las Vegas, from May 3 to 5 (booth 5479). The displays will illustrate how the system can accommodate the fine design challenges of hospitality suite bathrooms with versatility, reliability, and enhanced function and style. The Geberit HD Expo booth will showcase the Concealed Tank and Carrier System’s expanding role in water efficiency and modern bathroom design. Attendees will see how the system is inspiring new creativity and how in-wall technology allows designers to overcome unique bathroom design challenges. During the show,...

ST. CLAIR, MICH.—Wood manufacturer Kebony announced it is now partnering with Austin, Texas-based Delta Millworks to produce a line of Shou Sugi Ban modified timber cladding and interior paneling, according to Kebony USA sales manager Andy Hehl. The new cladding and paneling range, called Kebony Shou Sugi Ban by Delta Millworks, utilizes the ancient Japanese techniques of burning, brushing or pre-weathering timber to provide a long-lasting and striking wood cladding product. This unique manufacturing process of Kebony has been used in the United Kingdom for the past eight years and will now be available for projects in the United States, produced through...

SAN FRANCISCO—Bamboo and palm interior finishes manufacturer Smith & Fong Co. announced it has commercialized a line of palm dimensional lumber, according to company founder and CEO Dan Smith. The palm lumber, milled at Smith & Fong’s manufacturing operations in India, complements the company’s bamboo dimensional lumber, which was launched in 2013 and has proven to be a popular material among woodworkers and finish carpenters. “As we develop a new range of palm finishes such as flooring, plywood, veneer and paneling, we wanted to give the woodworking public a chance to explore the material too,” Smith said. “The applications for this material are limitless.” Smith...