DALTON, GA.—Recognizing the importance of education, Tandus Centiva, a Tarkett company, Suzanne Tick Inc. and Antron Carpet Fiber, have teamed up to support the Publicolor Summer Design Studio. The Summer Design Studio is an innovative work-study program that utilizes a non-traditional curriculum emphasizing tactile learning experiences. The combination of project-based learning, community service and paid work opportunities provide a compilation of meaningful summer activities for youth who otherwise would be idle when the school year ends in June.The Tandus Centiva, Suzanne Tick Inc., and Antron Carpet Fiber collections contribute up to $0.30 cents per square yard to the Publicolor...

NEW YORK—Designtex’s new Shibori Collection is inspired by the Ancient Japanese tie-dyeing technique of the same name. This collection brings colorways derived from the pigments of natural dyes and handmade paper for a fresh take on a Japanese tradition. The digital printing for this collection is done at Designtex’s Surface Imaging facility in Portland, Maine that is comprised of a team of artists, craftspeople and technologists.Shibori Flower wallcoverings are designed in three different scales and can be used individually or together to create a unique wallcovering installation. In Shibori Flower Small and Shibori Flower Medium, the central motif of...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms announces the addition of two new products to its successful Chipman line, part of the company’s Terrace Life group of lifestyle furnishings for terraces, rooftop gardens and other private and protected spaces. The new Chipman stool and standing height table, like the IDEA award winning Chipman chair and companion dining and lounge tables, showcase landscape architect Robert Chipman’s deft hand at sculptural form.“These new products build on the immediate success of the original Chipman chairs and tables and give us entre into new kinds of spaces and applications,” says Kirt Martin, Vice President of Design and...

LOS ANGELES—Resource Furniture, named Best in Show for Furniture by ASID Los Angeles at WestEdge Design Fair 2014, will once again unveil their latest offerings at the show. From October 22 to 25 at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif., WestEdge visitors will be the first to see the latest additions to the Resource Furniture collection of indoor and now outdoor furniture while experiencing Norwegian landscapes through the Nature wallcovering collection.Along with the Nature line of wallcoverings, new items to be unveiled include the Plurimo uniquely transforming table and Goliath Outdoor expanding dining table. In addition, Resource Furniture...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently reached a significant milestone in bringing the building community together by releasing a common definition of a zero energy building, or what is also referred to as a “net zero energy” or “zero net energy” building.After leading an extensive stakeholder engagement process over the past year and a half, the Energy Department released its findings in the recently published “A Common Definition of Zero Energy Buildings,” which states that a Zero Energy Building is “an energy-efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is less than...

ATLANTA—Nichiha USA, a manufacturer of residential fiber cement siding and architectural wall panels, introduces RoughSawn panels, part of the company’s Wood Series line. The cladding’s rough-around-the-edges texture and earthy, weathered colors emulate the look and feel of aged barn wood. The effect is ideal for achieving a vintage or rustic look for commercial and residential projects while maintaining modern performance and durability.“Reclaimed wood is one of the industry’s hottest design trends, and our new RoughSawn line delivers that rugged look without the associated hassles or cost,” says Michael Cobb, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Along with its handsome...

SAVANNAH, GA.—Green Badger has released it latest software version, which includes functionality for LEED v4—the latest green building system update from the USGBC and much more. While LEED version 4 is the largest new feature, additional functionality includes credit-specific documentation guidance, activity tracking by project, report customization, and enhanced site inspection capabilities. Since Green Badger’s introduction in fall 2013, widespread adoption within the A/E/C industry has occurred, with seven of the 10 largest green general contractors now using the software solution for LEED and green building documentation. With its easy and convenient functionality to automate and document LEED credits,...

ADVANCE, N.C.—Beaufurn, the manufacturer of fashion-forward, functional designs, announced that it has hired Phyllis Burke Russell as Director of Design and Marketing. Burke Russell brings to Beaufurn an extensive background in marketing, visual merchandising, branding and product development. She has held executive positions of significant responsibility for marketing, strategic growth and sales analysis at furniture companies in China and Saudi Arabia. With regard to product design and development, Burke Russell has trained design staffs at firms in several countries. She began her career at Drexel Heritage.Beaufurn’s President Thomas Bongaerts stated, “We are extremely pleased to have Phyllis join our...

NATIONAL REPORT—Light has been around as long as the human race. First came fire—primitive, serving a dual purpose of heating and illumination. Fire, as a technology, was around for thousands of years. Relatively recently, roughly a hundred or so years ago, incandescent light was invented. This light source remains in use today and is a relatively simple process—passing an electrical current through a resistor, which creates both light, and heat. In the last 60 or so years, newer technologies have appeared—fluorescent, low and high-pressure sodium, metal halide, compact florescent. While these are significantly more efficient light sources than fire...

SAN FRANCISCO—Smith & Fong Co., manufacturer of Plyboo bamboo architectural plywood and flooring products, announced it is stepping up its operations and taking an active role in the Canadian marketplace, according to Smith & Fong President Angus Stocks.The expansion includes direct importation and warehousing of its extensive range of products as well as new distribution and marketing representation. The base of Smith & Fong’s Canadian operations will be Toronto.“Canada has been a great market for the Plyboo line over the years and we are very committed and excited about the potential there,” Stocks said. “So we are stepping up...