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...

READING, PA.—Ambius, a global leader in interior landscaping, announced that Hilton San Francisco—Financial District has installed its innovative sustainable plant system, LivePicture, as part of the interior décor for the recently renovated property at the gateway to the world famous San Francisco Chinatown. The Hilton is using LivePicture for enhancing its meeting room and executive lobby areas.LivePicture, the latest offering in unique interior plant designs from Ambius, is designed to bridge the gap between plants and art. It is a living work of art that is created using a mix of textural foliage. Framed, it can be sized to...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies received LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for the company’s Wyndham Branson Preview Center at 240 Terrace Boulevard in Branson, Mo. LEED is a third-party certification program and premier benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.Formerly a vacant medical facility, the three-story, 33,000-square-foot facility underwent renovations last year that included environmentally conscious construction and design, an energy-efficient HVAC system and lighting, and new landscaping....

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Materials, LLC announced the introduction of Organic Blocks to the U.S. market. A wall décor alternative fashioned in molded cork, Organic Blocks bring dimension, depth and distinctive visual appeal to interior surfaces. Imported from Portugal, Organic Blocks convey a contemporary European design aesthetic in five high relief, geometric shapes, each pre-finished, infused with a selection of 10 vibrant, fashion-forward colors.“Designers and decorators mix and match Organic Blocks, experimenting with the shapes and colors, to craft captivating mosaic patterns,” said Pete Nichols, President, Sustainable Materials, LLC. “With Organic Blocks, they create unique wall designs that make a definitive...