PLAYA GUIONES, COSTA RICA—In a country so well known for its ecotourism and renewable energy leadership positions, it should come as no surprise that one of its hotels has earned the rare LEED Platinum certification. That is what happened this summer at the Olas Verdes Hotel in Playa Guiones, Costa Rica. Luis Pardo, General Manager of the boutique hotel with five casitas, said the property is the first surf hotel in the world and the first hotel in Costa Rica to reach the LEED Platinum level. The Olas Verdes Hotel opened last December, Pardo says. “The owners wanted to have...

HELSINKI—Cloud-based construction software supplier Bionova Ltd. announced the North American launch of One Click LCA, an easy-to-use cloud-based software solution that automatically calculates life cycle assessment (LCA) directly from building information models (BIM) or other design data, ensuring compliance with LEED v3 and v4, among more than 20 other building certification systems and standards, according to Bionova CEO Panu Pasanen.“One Click LCA does all the hard work for architects and construction professionals,” Pasanen said. “In just one click, the materials data from a Revit model, a quantity take-off Excel or an energy model are transformed to a standards-compliant assessment....

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Materials introduces Pattern Tiles, a wall décor innovation. Pattern Tiles are three-dimensional pieces of natural, renewable cork cut into patterns that allow the color of the wall on which they are applied to show through. With an intriguing variety of organic, geometric, classical and techno designs, Pattern Tiles instantly transform the look of a room. Imported from Portugal, and pre-finished in a selection of 12 fashion-forward colors, Pattern Tiles are available in nine large-pattern motif styles and two smaller, mixed-pattern, multi-color mosaics.“Traditionally, to dramatically change a room, you had to re-paint the walls or put up wallpaper....

GRANT, MICH.—When Greenbuild, the largest international green building conference and expo, convenes next month in Los Angeles, Porous Pave, Inc. (booth 921) will celebrate a major environmental milestone: surpassing 7.5 million pounds of recycled rubber used in manufacturing its permeable paving material. An eco-friendly green building product made in the United States, Porous Pave is a highly porous, durable and flexible paving material consisting of recycled rubber, chipped granite aggregate and a liquid binder. The controlled shredding and processing of discarded tires produces the 1/8-1/4-inch, fine-cut chips of recycled rubber incorporated into Porous Pave.“Topping 7.5 million pounds of recycled...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently moved to reduce exposure to formaldehyde vapors from certain wood products produced domestically or imported into the United States. The agency worked with the California Air Resources Board to help ensure the final national rule is consistent with California requirements for composite wood products.“We are carrying out important measures laid out by Congress to protect the public from harmful exposure of this widely used chemical found in homes and workplaces,” said Jim Jones, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “We have worked with the state...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—The upper-midscale Wyndham Garden brand is shedding light on its first global hotel prototype, designed to make travel easier and more carefree while delivering greater returns for hotel owners through operating efficiencies. The new offering surpasses the segment, creating an upscale experience by incorporating modern architecture, functional design and an all-day inclusive culinary concept.Wyndham Garden’s prototype conveys the promise of a garden, using natural materials and pops of green to make guests feel like they’ve achieved serenity from the moment they arrive. It evokes the outdoors with abundant natural light, proven to increase comfort and productivity while reducing...

QUITO, ECUADOR—The Quito Tourism Board announced the opening of the Carlota Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in Quito’s bustling historic district. Carlota Hotel is located in a renovated house built at the turn of the century in 1905. This property is the first urban-design boutique hotel in Quito’s Historic District and aims to become the first LEED certified hotel in Ecuador and the first LEED certified design boutique hotel in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel opened on July 21.The authentic historical hotel boasts 12 individual rooms each decorated with their own bold and innovative style. They feature...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—The Blendz Patina Collection from Móz Metals & Architectural Products is expanding with four new color offerings inspired by nature. The Patina Collection is the newest addition to the Móz portfolio of dynamic metal surfacing materials. Featuring variegated tones of copper, wood, water and other earth tones, the Patina Collection adds dimensionality and natural beauty to walls, columns, and facades in a lightweight easy-to-install metal material.The Blendz Patina collection features a range of colorways and a choice of rich textural grains for a stunning metal finish. Blendz Patina’s natural aesthetic creates visual interest in interior and exterior installations,...

FORT BENNING, GA.—Regional and national leaders from InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the U.S. Army and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) gathered at the IHG Army Hotels Abrams Hall on Fort Benning to celebrate the property’s recent LEED Gold certification. The property has also already achieved the highest Level of certification—Level 4—in IHG’s group-wide sustainability program, the IHG Green Engage system, and is a great example of IHG’s commitment to sustainability. The IHG Green Engage system allows hotels to track, measure and report on their carbon footprint and utility consumption as well as recommending more than 200...

PLEASANTON, CALIF.—The construction technology company ConXtech announces increasing adoption of its ConX Chassis Based Modular structural steel building system for hotel, resort, and extended stay facilities. ConXtech currently has eight hospitality projects in design and has completed four, for both boutique and major hospitality brands including the first AC Hotel by Marriott in California. ConXtech’s substantial experience providing high-density residential structures has enabled a natural expansion into the hospitality sector.ConXtech’s systemized approach to design, fabrication and construction lowers installed cost and increases speed to delivery resulting in a more predictable project lifecycle and a faster ROI. The system enables...