CINCINNATI—Finalists have been announced for HX: The Hotel Experience’s 36th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, which is sponsored by Boutique Design magazine. Winners in 21 categories will be announced at the Gold Key Awards Gala, to be held November 14 at the Waldorf Astoria, New York. The Designer of the Year will also be honored during this special evening. The gala is presented in conjunction with co-located trade fairs Boutique Design New York (BDNY), November 13 to 14, and HX: The Hotel Experience (formerly IHMRS), November 13 to 15, at New York City’s Jacob K....

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The design and construction of healthier buildings is a key business benefit for building owners, developers, managers and investors, according to the results of a new SmartMarket Report released by Dodge Data & Analytics and to which the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a contributing partner. “Our world is confronting massive challenges that affect our physical, mental and social well-being,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, Chief Operating Officer, USGBC. “We know that programs like USGBC’s LEED green building rating system and IWBI’s WELL Building Standard provide key solutions to business leaders who are looking for the best way to create...

LENZING, AUSTRIA—Lenzing achieved another milestone in its innovation heritage in the textile industry by developing a TENCEL fiber based on cotton fabric waste. Lenzing is the first manufacturer worldwide to offer such cellulose fibers incorporating recycled materials on a commercial scale. TENCEL, already a market success as an eco-friendly fiber, is now achieving another key milestone by creating from natural resources what is likely the most sustainable fiber. TENCEL from cotton waste fabrics will further build Lenzing’s reputation as a leader in the field of environmental technology and will push new solutions in the textile industry towards a circular economy by...

NEW YORK—A little more than a month remains before this fall’s HX: The Hotel Experience trade show and conference. Formerly the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show, this year’s event includes more than 350 exhibitors in the trade show and a full slate of conference sessions on the trade show floor. The event will take place November 13 to 15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The exhibitor lineup will feature many companies offering products and technologies to help reduce energy and water consumption and waste. Some vendors will offer products using sustainable or organic...

EDENTON, N.C.—Naturepedic, manufacturing organic mattresses in Ohio, has been awarded Gold Exemplary Recognition by the Sustainable Furnishings Council for its deep environmental commitment and exemplary implementation of a range of best practices for sustainability. The company completed the rigorous process of demonstrating compliance with SFC’s Exemplary Manufacturer Requirements, submitting audited evidence of achievements in operations, in production, and in outreach to attain recognition at the Gold level. Naturepedic is the only Gold Exemplary mattress company among the organization’s nearly 400 member companies. Barry Cik, CEO, speaking for the company said, “The Sustainable Furnishing Council knows the importance of safe guarding...

TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—The Brando announced its LEED Platinum certification. The luxury property earned the prestigious designation based on its commitment to conservation and sustainability efforts in the development and overall operation of the pristine island resort. This certification is the culmination of more than six years of work carried out by the resort’s owners, designers and architects, and establishes The Brando as the first project to earn LEED certification in French Polynesia. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that...

EATONTOWN, N.J.—Roofinox, a leading manufacturer of architectural stainless steel, has introduced a new four-page, four-color brochure highlighting the company’s line of products providing long-term sustainability and corrosion-resistance for roofing, wall-cladding, flashing, rainware and interior design. “Each of our stainless steel products offers a unique set of characteristics ideal for virtually all forms of roofing applications,” says Dave Rowe, Vice President at Roofinox America. “Since they are 20 percent softer than other stainless products, they are easy to seam, while reducing machine and tool wear. Excellent solderability is also achieved through their special surface structures. In addition, our Roofinox Tin-plated Terne...

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....