As energy costs continue to rise and building codes become more rigorous, lodging facility professionals are searching for higher-performing building envelope assemblies. One such system, structural insulated panels (SIPS), helps reduce energy consumption up to 60 percent compared to other structural systems, while providing a host of other construction and operations benefits. An SIPs Primer SIPs are a prefabricated, engineered building system typically used for walls and roofs. They are composed of structural-grade wood panels such as oriented strand board (OSB) laminated to both sides of a rigid insulating foam core like expanded polystyrene (EPS). The system provides both structural strength...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Worldwide’s brand of midscale hotels, and Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall of the Emirates—the second largest Hilton Garden Inn in the world and the largest outside of America and the first LEED Gold hotel by Majid Al Futtaim in Dubai.The new hotel, owned by Majid Al Futtaim and managed by Hilton Worldwide, is located just steps away from the Middle East’s iconic premier shopping, leisure and entertainment award-winning destination “The Mall of...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has received Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold recertification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the buildings at its 76-acre campus in Naperville, Ill., the headquarters of its Nalco Water and Process Services business.LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. LEED-certified buildings have programs and features that save money and resources, and have a positive impact on the health of occupants while promoting renewable, clean energy.“We help our customers operate sustainably, and we...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—Móz Designs Digital Imagery, an imaginative new metal surfacing material, is now available for application onto architectural column covers. Móz Digital Imagery integrates the visuals of a photograph or abstract art with the textural grains of Móz metals for a unique multi-layered effect. Images are printed on solid core or perforated aluminum, and Móz color collections can be added to create a custom look.Móz column covers are offered in round, oval, square or racetrack shapes, and two, three or four segments can be specified. Columns can be installed in exterior or interior applications.Digital imagery allows exceptional flexibility for...

NEWBURGH, N.Y.—Hudson Valley Lighting, manufacturer of art-inspired classic, contemporary and transitional lighting fixtures for more than 20 years, has purchased a site that will serve as the company’s new world headquarters in Hudson Valley’s Wappingers Falls, New York in Dutchess County. This was announced by David Littman, Founder and President of Hudson Valley Lighting and Chairman of Littman Brands, a family of decorative and architectural lighting brands that include Hudson Valley Lighting, Corbett Lighting, Troy Lighting and CSL (Creative Systems Lighting).The new location, 151 Airport Drive, sits on 67 acres of land and occupies more than 261,916 square feet...

LAS VEGAS—Cementing its position as one of North America’s premier destinations for large-scale meetings and events, ARIA Resort & Casino announced a major expansion of its award-winning LEED Gold-certified convention center. The $154 million project will deliver an additional 200,000 square feet of technologically advanced, flexible meeting space across four stories, highlighted by indoor/open-air spaces and a glass-enclosed venue with dramatic views of The Park and the new Las Vegas Arena. With the completion of the expansion, ARIA will feature more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space for its clientele.Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2016 with...

PARIS—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today it will commit to scaling green buildings to more than 5 billion square feet (478 million square meters) over the next five years through the LEED and EDGE green building rating systems. USGBC’s commitment was made at Buildings Day, an official event at the United Nations climate negotiations conference known as COP21.“As we gather around the imperatives to address climate change at COP21, we know that buildings must continue to be a key focus area for countries to reach carbon emissions reduction goals,” said Roger Platt, President, USGBC. “By encouraging the...

NEW YORK—MDC, a leading wallcoverings and design solutions company, has expanded its Dimension Walls collection. The portfolio of deeply textured, 3-D decorative panels now features 30 styles in 40 finishes each (solids, metallics, wood grains, patinas and more).“Dimension Walls delivers a ‘wow’ factor that can’t be ignored,” said Dan Brandt, Product Manager for MDC. “There’s a hunger for accent walls that create stunning statements, whether in casinos or night clubs, spas and hotel suites or bars and restaurants. We’ve expanded the Dimension Walls offering to satisfy this growing appetite throughout the hospitality marketplace.”The 3-D designs exude adventure and movement...

NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corp. President and CEO Alan Steel announced that the Javits Center has achieved LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the developers of the LEED building rating system. This certification follows the completion of a comprehensive renovation and revitalization. Located on Manhattan’s West Side, the Javits Center is considered the busiest convention center in the United States, supporting more than 17,000 jobs and generating up to $1.8 billion in economic activity for the Empire State. Led by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation, FXFOWLE, Epstein and Tishman Construction, an AECOM...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken announced its recognition by Future Materials as the “Most Innovative Large Size Company.” Given by Future Materials, an international technical textiles magazine published by the World Textile Information Network (WTiN), the Future Materials Awards recognize innovation, achievement and leadership throughout the technical textile industry, which has grown exponentially over recent decades.Milliken, a global innovation company, has been exploring, discovering and creating ways to enhance people’s lives since 1865. While Milliken comes from humble beginnings as a general store in Maine, it has expanded into a host of diverse industries over the last 150 years, focusing on research...