PEARL RIVER, N.Y.—Now in its 64th year, the Good Design Awards, one of the world’s oldest and most recognized programs for identifying design excellence worldwide, announced its 2014 winners. Hunter Douglas, a leader in custom window fashions, received design excellence awards for its Silhouette A Deux window shadings, Solera Soft Shades and the Platinum App for motorized shades. Hunter Douglas was the only window covering manufacturer to be recognized.The award sponsors, The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design in Galena, Ill. and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies in Dublin, Ireland, received submissions from...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide has reached an agreement with modular building provider CIMC to develop the first hotel at Bristol Airport (U.K.) under its economy Hampton by Hilton brand. Financed and owned by CIMC, the hotel will be managed by Hilton Worldwide.The announcement marks a strategic partnership between Hilton Worldwide and CIMC. CIMC’s innovative modular technique significantly reduces the time taken for construction by manufacturing and assembling portions of the hotel, including guestrooms and hallways, in China, before transporting them to the final site for assembly. The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a...

DALTON, GA.—Tandus Centiva announces the introduction of TandusTape for Flex-Aire Modular products. Previously limited to use with ethos Modular, the convenience and cost savings made possible by the TandusTape Installation System has now been expanded to include the Flex-Aire Modular product platform.In addition to providing more flexibility in installation options, TandusTape eliminates the need for wet adhesives. Low VOCs and faster turnaround times make TandusTape an attractive choice to the end user. The introduction of TandusTape for Flex-Aire Modular expands the installation options for this backing system and enhances the opportunity to choose the installation method that is most...

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Carr City Centers announce a new InterContinental Hotels & Resorts property in Washington, D.C. The 278-room new build hotel will be part of The Wharf, a world-class, mixed-use waterfront development located on the historic Washington Channel. IHG, Carr and Clark Enterprises partnered together to form a joint venture with Wharf Master Developer Hoffman-Madison Waterfront to develop and own the InterContinental. The Washington D.C. property will apply for LEED Silver certification, contributing to the overall LEED-ND Gold status of The Wharf.The new InterContinental hotel will complement the iconic Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. hotel—also part of...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of a new line of solid-strip paneling and flooring derived from reclaimed structural beams, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff.“While so many of our raw materials come from ports and harbors, we’re always continuing to diversify our sources,” Mitchoff said. “This new line comes from old growth beams reclaimed from Pacific Northwest building-deconstruction and remodeling, primarily granaries and warehouses.”Available in two varieties—Granary Plank Smooth Face Naily and Granary Plank Antique—the new products are milled from a mix of Douglas-fir and pine beams reclaimed from granaries and warehouses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Both...

Vinyl or PVC materials have been a staple in hotel projects for many decades. Vinyl offers performance and a cost value that other materials found hard to match for a very long time.  Unfortunately PVC based materials also present an environmental headache that many hotel owners, builders and designers want to avoid in the future. Of course many in the vinyl industry would argue otherwise including the Vinyl Institute which represents many of the film and chemical manufacturers. Leaving aside the science for a moment which is very compelling against chlorine chemistry; you need only observe the marketplace to see...

ATLANTA—Interface, Inc. announced the appointment of Jay Gould as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the company. Gould, who was most recently CEO of American Standard Brands, will oversee global operations, marketing, and organizational development for the carpet tile manufacturing company that is a recognized leader in sustainability worldwide.“Jay’s proven track record of creating value for some of the most successful international corporations in the world drew us to him; however, it is his focus on the power of purpose that makes him the right fit for Interface,” said Daniel T. Hendrix, Chairman and CEO of Interface....

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—The 114-suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Anchorage, Alaska is scheduled to open the week of November 17, making it the first in Alaska. It is also Alaska’s first LEED certified hotel. The TownePlace Suites Anchorage Midtown will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Denali Land, LLC and managed by Stonebridge Companies of Denver. Located in Midtown and five miles from Ted Stevens International Airport, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, the Alaska Railroad Train to Denali National Park and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.“We are pleased to introduce the TownePlace...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In recognition of the importance of sustainable parking facilities and practices to the development of sustainable communities, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), the certification body for the U.S. Green Building Council’s global LEED green building rating system, signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Parking Institute (IPI), the world’s largest parking association, and the Green Parking Council (GPC).“Sustainability in parking is integral to building a greener future, not only structurally, but also by shaping transportation networks that support more livable, walkable communities,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President, GBCI. “This agreement will also expand the GBCI’s portfolio and...

LOS ANGELES—EcoChic Lifestyles, an eco-friendly wood and metal furnishings company founded in 2012 by Megan Risdon, has moved its corporate headquarters from Vancouver, B.C. to Los Angeles. The company designs and manufactures furniture and home furnishings from reclaimed wood sourced from tropical fishing boats and iron from former bridges.“From homeowners to hotel designers and restaurateurs, our customers love the rich history, super quality and vibrant color of our reclaimed teak and metal furnishings,” said Risdon. “In just two years, we’ve demonstrated a tremendous market potential for our distinctive, stylish look and sustainability edict. Now, we’re ready to take advantage...