ATLANTA—Interface, the global manufacturer of modular carpet tile, has been awarded LEED-CI Gold certification for its flagship Atlanta showroom which opened last July. Occupying a 6,900-square-foot space in Brickworks Atlanta, a restored industrial building dating back to the 1880s, the facility posed unique challenges as Interface’s design team sought to meet the energy efficiency criteria set by the USGBC while preserving the foundation and original historic character of the interiors. Among the noteworthy solutions that earned Interface its Gold level rating: • Lighting power is reduced by more than 30 percent.• All workspaces regularly occupied by employees are day lit...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the signing of a management agreement with Diamond Developers to launch the second Hotel Indigo in the U.A.E. Hotel Indigo is IHG’s boutique brand and each Hotel Indigo property is designed to reflect the local neighborhood it is located in. From the design of the building to the hotel’s artwork and locally-inspired menus, each Hotel Indigo property is unique to its surroundings, so no two properties are the same. In addition, guests can look forward to immersing in stories of the neighborhood through creatively crafted spaces reflecting the area’s heritage—a key cornerstone of...

ARCHBOLD, OHIO—WoodTrac introduces its decorative wooden Ceiling System for commercial and residential use. The system has the appearance of a custom-crafted three-dimensional ceiling. Each ceiling can be individualized with the combination of different molding profiles and molding and panel finishes. Molding profiles include colonial, cove and tear drop shapes while molding and panel finishes consist of abbey oak, bank alder and paintable white ceiling options.For a more traditional ceiling appearance, WoodTrac offers an additional panel finish—a knock-down textured surface. Additionally, the WoodTrac ceiling system has the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody Certification. Builders, architects, designers and developers using WoodTrac...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council announced that it will now recognize energy and water requirements from the Living Building Challenge (the Challenge) green building system within the LEED green building program.“USGBC and the International Living Future Institute, developers of the Living Building Challenge, share a common commitment and goal to transform the way we design, build and operate our buildings,” said Scot Horst, Chief Product Officer, USGBC. “The Challenge plays an important role on the green building performance curve and is a complement to LEED.”Added Horst, “The LEED steering committee approved this approach; in the world of rating...

LAS VEGAS—The NEWH Green Voice Conversations returns for its fourth year at HD Expo.  The event will take place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from May 13 to 15. Carefully chosen by NEWH and the Hospitality Design Group, notable experts on the topic will lead the audience through a series of interactive sessions covering sustainable themes and practices that impact all aspects of the industry. With “green design” being a topic that continues to be of great importance in the ever-evolving hospitality design sector and an issue that is also directly related to consumer demand, these conversations provide...

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.—LaMar Lighting Co. introduces Shade, a decorative architectural luminaire with the energy-saving benefits of occu-smart bi-level lighting technology. Combining an attractive design with functionality, Shade accommodates several lighting needs and enhances a variety of spaces, from corridors and lobbies to offices and retail.Ideal for areas where full light levels are not required on a constant basis, Shade comes equipped with fully integrated occu-smart technology. A highly sensitive ultrasonic sensor keeps lights low or off to save energy during unoccupied times and switches instantaneously to high light levels upon occupancy.The contemporary round shade fixture blends seamlessly into any interior,...

PORTLAND, MAINE—The Olympia Companies will manage a state-of-the-art hotel that is currently being built in Oberlin, Ohio by Oberlin College. The property will anchor The Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center, the cornerstone of Oberlin’s Green Arts District, an ongoing development encompassing the northeast corner of North Main Street and East College Street. It is a planned 100,000-square-foot, mixed-use development that will incorporate renewable energy systems and other innovative technologies designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum rating. “We’re honored to be chosen as the manager of this remarkable new property,” said Kevin Mahaney, President and CEO of...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—Móz Designs has launched a new visually-dynamic website, an “interactive theatre” showcasing the company’s versatile metal product lines, high profile projects and innovative Quick Ship program. The site’s debut coincides with the company’s 25-year anniversary and can be seen at www.mozdesigns.com.Created as an easy-to-navigate resource for architects, designers and project principals, the photo-rich site shows off the company’s metal collections, including Graphix, Engravings, Gradients, Classic and Blendz, along with Móz ETA (easy-to-assemble) products and expanding custom options. With quick click-and-view access, visitors can visually specify a Móz product—by selecting the material, grain, color, pattern and finish. On-screen visual presentations...

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—For fine bath and ambient lighting, WAC Lighting introduces the Kube family of LED vanities and wall sconces. Updated geometric styled metalwork meets sleek etched opal glass cubes of light. They are ideal for above a mirror or to illuminate distinctive entryways and other rooms in fine homes, restaurants and other spaces.The luminaire features both uplighting for ambient lighting as well as downlighting for illuminating the vanity below. Offered in a 2700K color temperature, Kube features a high 90 color rendering index (CRI) and a damp location listing creating a fixture ideal for powder rooms or luxury...

BETHESDA, MD.—As part of its global sustainability strategy to address climate change, Marriott International announced the company’s global energy intensity decreased cumulatively by 2.6 percent over 2013, 13.1 percent compared to a 2007 baseline.Across the majority of the company’s four global regions, energy results continued to decline. In The Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, energy intensity for managed hotels decreased over 2013 by 3.0 percent, 0.7 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. In the Middle East and Africa, energy intensity increased by 1.2 percent over 2013 as the region stabilized and travel increased.“Our global decrease in energy intensity demonstrates the...