WARRENTON, VA.—Airlie executives recently invited members of the Head family, Washington dignitaries, board members, community leaders and friends to share in celebrating the dedication of Airlie’s LEED Gold Pavilion. Founder Dr. Murdock Head opened the conference center in 1961.The LEED Gold Pavilion was dedicated to the Head family in honor of their over half-century long commitment to the environment and to preserving the exquisite piece of countryside so that it might be enjoyed by all Airlie visitors. The Head family name will continue to be honored through their legacy of establishing a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability. “The...

COWPENS, S.C.—Mermet USA introduces its new T Screen with KOOLBLACK Technology high-performance shade fabrics. T Screen fabrics with KOOLBLACK Technology combine the superior heat reflectivity of a white fabric with the glare control and crisp-view through of a dark-colored fabric.  Designed to provide architects, designers and building owners a leading-edge roller shade fabric that contributes to more comfortable buildings, T Screen with KOOLBLACK Technology provides superior thermal comfort and excellent natural daylighting for window shade applications. This fabric extends Mermet’s collection of advanced roller-shade fabrics. Key features of T Screen fabrics with KOOLBLACK Technology include: •    Improved heat reflection with KOOLBLACK...

MIRAMAR, FLA.—Granite Transformations, a global full-service home and business remodeling resource known for its resurfacing process, has introduced two new colors—Terra Chiara and Terra di Siena—as part of a new line of porcelain/granite countertops that are unique, durable and universally appealing. These new colors enhance Granite Transformations’ exclusive line of granite, recycled glass countertops and mosaic tile backsplashes.“We are proud to add these new surfaces to our impressive product line, which offers great style and dependability,” said Carl Griffenkranz, VP Marketing. “Granite Transformations continues to meet consumer demand for versatile surfaces that add style and value to residential and...

NATIONAL REPORT—Part of what makes outdoor furniture sustainable is its sturdiness—its ability to last for years without requiring replacement. Another green factor is the materials from which the furniture is made. Fortunately for hoteliers, there is a wide variety of outdoor furniture available that has a strong green materials story. A large percentage of that furniture is made from recycled plastic—primarily high density polyethylene (HDPE) from recycled milk jugs and other containers. Suppliers have their own names for the plastic material that can be used in the construction of furniture items ranging from chairs to tables to towel valets...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched its new online data visualization resource that highlights real-time green building data for each state in the United States and Washington, D.C. The enhanced state market briefs—highlighting LEED projects, LEED-credentialed professionals and USGBC membership in each state—provide green building advocates and the general public a look into LEED’s impact within any U.S. state.“Our state-level market briefs demonstrate USGBC’s commitment to data and information transparency at an important level of granularity,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, USGBC. “You can’t find this data anywhere else in the market. The choice to build...

CHICAGO—A comprehensive program of seminars and keynote sessions provides the educational and inspirational platform at this year’s NeoCon trade show in Chicago. For the 46th edition of the largest commercial interiors trade show in the United States—to be held from June 9 to 11 at the Merchandise Mart—organizers have curated a compelling, content-rich array of topics that represent the breadth and currency of issues and ideas relevant to the industry today. Whether it’s continuing education, fresh thinking and approaches, or new trends, NeoCon has a diverse program offering to meet the needs and goals of its audience. With greater...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Hanita Coatings as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Hanita Coatings’ SolarZone window films effectively filter UV radiation, glare and infrared heat, reducing heat buildup and improving the operational efficiency of HVAC equipment. Available in a wide spectrum of finishes, from cool silver to subtle smoke, these films can provide a full-scale, aesthetic upgrade to a hotel’s exterior—or preserve its original appearance with virtually indiscernible, heat-rejecting film. SolarZone can be installed quickly and easily with no disruption to guests or hotel operations. A sustainable glazing upgrade...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Officials with domestic tile manufacturer Crossville Inc. announced that the company has diverted a total of 40 million pounds of fired porcelain since launching its Tile Take-Back program and TOTO USA 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 pre-consumer fired porcelain toilets that do not meet quality standards; prior to the...

BOULDER, COLO.—Renewable Choice Energy announced that it has joined Green-e Climate, and can now provide certified carbon offsets to green building projects under the new U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) LEED v4 guidelines. The LEED v4 guidelines, which were released in November of 2013, provide universal criteria for green building performance, including new market sectors, new environmental impact categories, and clearer guidance to aid in the global adoption of green building practices.Under the LEED v4 Energy and Atmosphere Credit, certified buildings may receive points for use of green power and carbon offsets. The v4 guidelines require a longer-term commitment...

KANSAS CITY, MO.—Marriott International announced that the Courtyard Kansas City at Briarcliff in Missouri is the company’s first hotel to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building program status through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) prototype precertification program.The only LEED certified Marriott property in Missouri, the Courtyard Kansas City at Briarcliff was constructed on top of a mine, land previously undevelopable, and 10 percent of building materials used contain recycled content. Like all Marriott LEED Certified hotels, this hotel features a number of elements that focus on energy conservation, water efficiency and recycling. Some of...