COLLEGE PARK, MD.—College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center announces that it has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council—LEED’s highest level of certification. The designation makes College Park Marriott one of just four LEED Platinum U.S. hotels.The hotel’s Platinum certification follows the completion of an extensive multi-year renovation of meeting and event space, guestrooms and public areas that emphasized green building techniques and enhanced eco-friendly practices in daily operations. This new designation highlights College Park Marriott’s longstanding commitment to preserving the environment. In 2004, the hotel was North America’s...

NEW YORK—SH Group, the hotel brand management arm of Starwood Capital Group, announced the opening of 1 Hotel Central Park. This is the second property for the recently launched 1 Hotels, and the first in New York City. Known for his innovations, Sternlicht developed the brand with goals of truly upending the world of hospitality through a socially and environmentally conscious platform in celebration of the beauty and preservation of nature.A natural haven in the middle of Manhattan, 1 Hotel Central Park stands one block south from New York City’s largest green space, at the corner of 58th Street...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its international rankings of the Top 10 Countries for LEED, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system. The Top 10 list highlights countries outside of the United States that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation, illustrating the ever-growing international demand for LEED green buildings. The announcement comes at a time of increased international focus on climate change mitigation in the lead up to the United Nations’ COP21 climate negotiations this December.“International demand has grown steadily for tools supporting sustainable economic growth, and...

SAN FRANCISCO—Smith & Fong Co., manufacturer of Durapalm palm architectural plywood and flooring products, announced the introduction of DecoPalm, a line of premium, contemporary, three-dimensional wall paneling products manufactured from reclaimed palm wood, according to company founder Dan Smith.“DecoPalm delivers a unique, multi-textural surface,” Smith said. “Its rustic but modern lines contrast well with contemporary materials like steel, glass and concrete.”Palm offers a broad range of tones and grains. Manufactured entirely of reclaimed palm lumber, DecoPalm panels are made with no added formaldehyde and comply with California Section 01350 VOC emissions standards, a more rigorous protocol than CARB II....

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK—A new employee residence in Old Faithful Village in Yellowstone National Park has received a Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program. The residence was built by concessioner Yellowstone National Park Lodges, operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts.The project is the first Platinum-rated certification achieved by a concession operator inside a national park. Platinum is the highest LEED certification level and accounts for only about seven percent of all LEED-certified projects.In order to achieve LEED certification, the project needed to meet stringent sustainability requirements in areas such...

DENVER—Showcasing more than a decade of leadership while taking on the challenge of climate change, global hospitality company Xanterra Parks & Resorts has released its 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, defining and measuring its innovative sustainability improvements. The report also announces ambitious stretch targets for the next decade.The report presents details of improvements measured against goals announced in 2004. The company tracks its environmental performance across all aspects of its operations using an ISO 14001 audited program launched in 2002.Xanterra entities include lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in national and state parks, as well as resorts, a cruise line,...

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—Porous Pave, Inc. has introduced eight custom colors for Porous Pave. An eco-friendly green building product made in the United States, Porous Pave is a highly porous, flexible and durable pour-in-place surfacing material. Porous Pave XL consists of 50 percent recycled rubber chips and 50 percent stone aggregate with a urethane binder. Porous Pave XLS is 100 percent recycled rubber chips with a more elastic urethane binder. The custom colors are gray-black, tan-black, brown-black, cypress-black, red-black, brown-tan, green-brown, and blue-grey.“In the decade since we first introduced Porous Pave, landscape architects and contractors have experimented with mixing two...

NEW YORK—Leading textile manufacturer Carnegie announces the launch of the Xorel Refresh Your Palette, a vibrant high-fashion textile collection born from the brush of a painter’s palette.“Color can stimulate or relax; color can deliver nostalgic moods or help create playful, optimistic interiors” says Heather Bush, Creative Leader for the Xorel brand. Inspired by the colors intrinsic to everyday life, the four new Xorel patterns in the Refresh Your Palette collection make a vibrant statement with exotic bright accents, transparent watercolor effects, and earthy soft textures.Patterns Havana & Circuit both have a “dry”, crafted, hand-woven character. The patterns Fizzle Graphic...

NEW YORK—A certification program incorporating guidelines in unique areas such as Classical Feng Shui and environmental pyschology is beginning to gain traction within the hospitality industry. Launched by Certified Eco Designer Debra Duneier, Founder and President of New York-based EcoChi, LLC, the EcoChi 180° seal confirms that 18 guidelines have been met. In addition to the aforementioned Classical Feng Shui and environmental psychology, guidelines cover topics including energy efficiency, non-toxic materials and finishing, ergonomics, representing nature indoors, improved lighting, sound attenuation, creative workspaces, and green practices.Unlike other certification programs, guidelines can vary by project and are customized for each...

NEW YORK—From pale pastel pinks to super-saturated sea foam greens to crisp whites, the possibilities of customizing lighting are many with USAI Lighting’s new Infinite Color+. Infinite Color+ is the first architectural LED product family to combine state-of-the-art, high performance white light with any and every color in the spectrum. In developing Infinite Color+, USAI Lighting took the unique approach of engineering the perfect white light source first, and then integrating colored light functionality. This method ensures the creation of rich, high quality white light, with a full spectrum of smooth, well-blended hues from which to choose. Infinite Color+...