WHEELING, ILL.—Drawing inspiration from Brentano’s successful pattern Equinox, Solstice—redesigned for indoor/outdoor applications—joins the new Cityscape collection. Representing Brentano’s collaboration with Sunbrella Contract, the pattern joins the collection with notable recognition. Solstice achieved an IIDA/HD Product Design Award at the HD Expo show this past May; and, at NeoCon, the textile was awarded with a HiP Award (Honoring Industry People and Innovative Products) from Interior Design magazine and the #MetropolisLikes Award for excellence in aesthetics and functionality from Metropolis magazine. Inspired by the constellations themselves, Solstice is designed for indoor and outdoor usage. The 54” upholstery offers stain resistance and bleach...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes RieNu by Riegel as a Founding Sponsor. RieNu by Riegel is the first to market recycled table linen product. Made from recycled water bottles—the process includes collection, sanitizing, melting and extruding that molten material into yarn which is then woven and dyed to make RieNu.Riegel is one of six divisions under the Mount Vernon Mills, Inc. umbrella. Riegel is the division and brand name that services the hospitality industry. Riegel has earned the brand standard for every major North American hotel chain in the table linen category...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ATLANTA—Epsten Group, a global leader in sustainable design and consulting services, has announced that its President and CEO, Dagmar Epsten, FAIA, LEED Fellow, has transferred ownership of the firm to the existing senior management staff. The new principals, consisting of William D’Onofrio, AIA; Pete Choquette, AIA; Darren Draper, PE; and Lauren Wallace, assumed ownership of the firm on July 1, 2016.D’Onofrio, who will become the Director of Operations for the firm, says its clients and 55 employees will experience a seamless transition. “The new ownership group has managed the day-to-day technical services of the firm for the past...

LAS VEGAS—The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded LEED Gold certification (Core & Shell) to the restaurant corridor at The Park, MGM Resorts International’s newly-opened outdoor dining and entertainment district. The Park is designed to provide a gathering place and oasis from the bustle of the Las Vegas Strip. As part of The Park’s commitment to earn LEED certification, MGM Resorts invested in cutting-edge technology and implemented a range of environmentally conscious construction and landscaping measures to help lower overall environmental impact.“One of MGM Resorts’ strongest values is offering destinations that create exceptional guest experiences while reducing environmental impact,”...

EVERETT, WASH.—Electric Mirror, a global leader in mirror technology, unveiled the next generation of its patented and energy-savings Keen Technology, which offers improved functionality and is now available at a lower cost.Keen allows hotel end users to individualize their lighted mirror experience by choosing from eight different lighting levels, as well as a night glow mode, which serves as a night light. Keen includes a function that automatically reduces the light level by 50 percent after being on for an hour, offering significant energy savings.One of the biggest benefits of the new Keen technology is that it is significantly...

GLOBAL REPORT—The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) launched a new project which aims to ensure that all buildings are “net zero” by 2050, to help deliver on the ambition of the Paris Agreement and tackle climate change.Advancing Net Zero will see WorldGBC and Green Building Councils in countries with some of the biggest projected growth in building roll out net zero building certification and training so that these highly efficient buildings become commonplace over the next 35 years.At least eight Green Building Councils from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Netherlands, South Africa, and Sweden will initially take part in...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken & Co. raised more than $500,000 for local nonprofits in Spartanburg, S.C., during the company’s new, multifaceted corporate giving campaign. The program supported United Way of the Piedmont and three Strategic Community Impact Organizations: Northside Development Group, Partners for Active Living and Spartanburg Academic Movement.The 2016 Milliken Community Impact Campaign launched on June 6 with the goal to increase the company’s direct local impact in Spartanburg, home to the company’s global headquarters. The Strategic Community Impact Organizations were selected to align Milliken’s philanthropic initiatives with company core values of vibrant culture, health and quality education.Notably, Milliken associates...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal, a nonprofit certifier of sustainable products and services, launched its new Architectural Insulation Standard (GS-54). It is designed to make it easier for the market to identify green insulation products that work and protect human as well as environmental health. It sets challenging yet achievable requirements that reflect environmental leadership among products currently available or emerging in the United States.GS-54 is the only up-to-date insulation standard developed specifically for the U.S. market. Its criteria cover significant impacts across the lifecycle stages of several types of insulation. It also provides a clear and specific guideline for product...

HASTINGS ON HUDSON, N.Y.—In2green, a leader in luxury sustainable home goods and accessories, received top recognition in the home and gift industry winning the coveted Icon Honor for Innovation. Hailed as the most anticipated and important night in the home and gift industry, Icon Honors took place Thursday, July 14 and was produced by AmericasMart Atlanta, in exclusive partnership with the Gift & Home Trade Assn. (GHTA) and Progressive Business Media and in affiliation with Gift For Life.In2green was recognized for its recycled polyester knit fabric, which is used to create its indoor/outdoor line. Launched at the end of...

SAN FRANCISCO—Bamboo interior finishes manufacturer Smith & Fong announced the debut of Plyboo Ceilings, a line of 40 different carved and textured ceiling panels, according to Smith & Fong President Angus Stocks.The new system employs the company’s carved bamboo panel products—including the Reveal, Sound, Linear, and Linear Sound Collections—all of which are specifically fabricated to fit all standard ceiling grids or can be installed in large panels up to 4’x10’ for custom applications.“Our Reveal, Linear and Sound Collections have been our most popular products in the commercial segment for the past year,” Stocks said. “A ceiling provides a large...