WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) launched its newly acquired SITES rating system, a comprehensive program and toolkit for developing sustainable landscapes.SITES was developed through a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort of the American Society of Landscape Architects, The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden. The rating system can be applied to development projects located on sites with or without buildings—ranging from national parks to corporate campuses, streetscapes and homes, and much more. “Landscapes knit together the fabric of our communities,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO, GBCI. “And sustainable landscapes...

NEW YORK—Philips, a global leader in lighting, and Tandus Centiva, a Tarkett company and leader in North American flooring, recently announced a partnership to launch Luminous Carpets, a patented solution, in the North American market. The seamless integration of LED and carpet into the commercial interior design market creates a unique and intuitive medium with flexible and dynamic content; changing a carpeted floor into a messaging tool capable of informing, directing and inspiring people.This breakthrough innovation combines LED lighting by Philips with specially developed light transmissive carpet by Desso. Successfully launched and proven in Europe, Tandus Centiva now introduces...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Officials with domestic tile manufacturer Crossville Inc. announced the company recycled 14,255,082 pounds of fired porcelain in 2014, bringing the company’s cumulative recycling total to nearly 53.5 million pounds since the 2009 launch of the Tile Take-Back program and subsequent TOTO USA recycling partnership.These recycling initiatives are based on the company’s proprietary process for recycling fired porcelain products, including post-consumer materials. Through Tile Take-Back, Crossville is able to recycle previously installed tile collected from its distribution network, as well as scraps that result from tile cutting during installation, sizing, or sample creation. Through its TOTO partnership, Crossville receives...

LOS ANGELES—Portola Hotel & Spa, which currently holds the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance, has completed the recertification process. This recertification represents a continuation of the eco-friendly initiatives begun in 2009 when the initial certification began.Portola Hotel & Spa participated in the USGBC’s Recertification Beta Pilot Program, which has a specific team focused on the hospitality industry. This makes Portola the very first Beta participant coming from the EBOM 2008 rating system and hotel to undergo the recertification process.“We are honored to have been chosen as the first participant in the...

SUZHOU, CHINA—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the debut of its eco-conscious Element brand in Asia Pacific with the opening of Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town in Suzhou, China. The hotel is owned by Suzhou Science and Technology Town Kexin Cultural Tourism Development Co., LTD.“As Starwood’s eco-innovation lab, the Element brand has redefined the category with its light-filled atmosphere, eco-minded design and commitment to innovation,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “On track to triple its global portfolio by the end of 2017, Element is experiencing tremendous growth momentum and the...

PEARL RIVER, N.Y.—Marv Hopkins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hunter Douglas North America, a leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions in the United States and Canada, announced the promotion of Ron Kass, President and Chief Operating Officer, to Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2015. Kass will retain his post as President. Hopkins also announced that he will be retiring effective July 1, after 20 years as CEO and 29 years, in total, with Hunter Douglas.  Following his retirement, Hopkins will serve as Chairman Emeritus. “Ron has been a key contributor to our company’s growth and success...

DALTON, GA.—Tandus Centiva introduces two new luxury vinyl tile (LVT) architectural folders, reinforcing the company’s commitment to designing extensive product offerings in this flooring category. With the introduction of the wood and stone architectural folders, Tandus Centiva expands the company’s breadth of luxury vinyl tiles and planks in the marketplace.“The Tandus Centiva approach to product design is to provide fit-for-purpose solutions for every aspect of a space,” said Terry Mowers, Vice President Design-Commercial Products. “It’s extremely important for our team to design flooring that is beautiful, high-performing and the proper context for our customers.”The Wood Folder showcases 80 products...

ATLANTA—The new Silver Linings carpet tile collection from Interface is offered in the company’s 25 cm-x-1 m skinny plank format and features 12 color options across three patterns: SL910 is the more subdued motif with the purest texture; SL920 is characterized by three accent colors that flicker through clever piping; and SL930 is engulfed by the accent colors of SL910 and SL920 that make bold, unexpected strikes of pattern. The elongated, narrow shape presents an elegant shift in scale when installed in a herringbone or pattern by tile method, or a graceful, monolithic effect in an ashlar installation. Silver...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—The 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown, currently under construction and scheduled to open in June 2016, is asking Cuyahoga County residents to submit snapshots that will be used to create a unique art installation that will be on display at the new hotel when it officially opens next year. The request is simple: snap a picture of yourself in a place that is authentically Cleveland and upload it to http://www.myclevelandphoto.com.“Our goal is for the faces of the Cuyahoga County community to come together to create a photo-mosaic that will be displayed in the lobby of the hotel,” said Teri...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Hotel Group announced LEED certifiable, new construction prototypes for its two largest and most well-known brands, Days Inn and Super 8. The announcement builds on efforts by the company over the last two years to refine its prototypical offerings, which now span a total of six brands, and provide U.S. owners and developers with complete, turn-key, design-forward solutions.Announced at the 37th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, the two prototypes—which focus on style, performance and efficiency—are complemented by updated offerings for the company’s Baymont Inn & Suites, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Microtel Inn & Suites by...