LAS VEGAS—The Las Vegas Marriott has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification, adding to Marriott International’s growing number of hotels participating in the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED certification program.The LEED green building certification program is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. In addition to earning certification, the number of points earned by a property upon evaluation will determine the rank of Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Across the Marriott portfolio, 130 hotels are LEED certified or registered by USGBC.“We are excited to add another hotel to...

SAN DIEGO—GreenClaimed, a green building materials brand created by Cali Bamboo, recently released a new line of 100 percent reclaimed solid American oak flooring. Made in the United States and sustainably sourced by salvaging barns, factories, and mills, this solid oak flooring retains unique characteristics only made possible by its previous life of service in America’s heartlands. Knots, cracks, saw marks and nail holes show the history of the wood and allude to the laboring hands that worked with each plank in many decades past.“We are offering a true rustic modern floor that not only reclaims a piece of...

MONTGOMERY, MINN.—BioSurf announced the launch of BioSurf 2DL, a line of digitally customizable, sustainable laminates for vertical and light horizontal surfaces used in commercial interiors, according to BioSurf President Mike Riebel.“What sets BioSurf apart from other laminates and decorative surfaces is its ability to match the look of other building products,” Riebel said. “And we can replicate other materials—using images—through a process that does not compromise environmental health.” Bio-based and comprised of corn and soy byproducts, BioSurf 2DL laminates are available in more than 100 standard colors and textures and can be used in a virtually limitless variety of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing safer alternatives to the flame retardants now used in consumer and commercial products, including building insulation and products with flexible polyurethane foam. “EPA’s findings for safer alternatives is great news for consumers and industry,” said Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “We will now have safer alternatives for use in our products from furniture to car seats to building insulation.”   Flame retardant chemicals such as hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) raise concerns for human health and the environment including potential reproductive, developmental, and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shalom Baranes Associates, OTO Development, LLC, Perseus Realty, and Turner Construction Co. recently celebrated the completion of the construction of the Hilton Garden Inn at 2201 M Street in Washington, D.C.’s West End. The restaurant below the hotel, Cafe Deluxe, also has opened.The new 167,888 square foot Hilton Garden Inn is a 238 room, LEED Silver, upscale Hilton Garden Inn hotel. Two levels of subsurface structure accommodate one level of parking for 53 cars and one level of office space. Building amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, heated rooftop pool, and a garden terrace. Within the hotel is...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—ForrestPerkins welcomes two new talents to its team. Sharon Bilbeisi, an NCARB-certified Senior Architect and Project Manager, and Denzil Martin, an NCIDQ-certified Interior Designer and Senior Project Manager, have both joined ForrestPerkins’ Washington, D.C. office.“Sharon Bilbeisi and Denzil Martin bring unique experience, a fresh perspective, and great talent to ForrestPerkins, and we welcome them,” says Deborah Lloyd Forrest, FASID, ISHC, President of ForrestPerkins.Sharon Bilbeisi, AIA, LEED AP, a licensed architect in New York, California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, is also a recognized architect in the United Arab Emirates. Her international experience includes working on luxury hospitality and multi-residential...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Green Building Initiative (GBI) announced the launch of a new certification program specific to design of interiors of commercial and institutional buildings, according to GBI President Jerry Yudelson.The new program, Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors, focuses exclusively on the sustainable design and construction of interior spaces in non-residential buildings and can be pursued by both building owners and individual lessees of commercial spaces. When pursuing Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors certification, tenants can focus on both designing new and/or improving their existing interior space to Green Globes standards without the need to certify an entire building.“One of...

WAUWATOSA, WIS.—Bostik, Inc., one of the world’s largest manufacturers of adhesives and sealants, has brought Dimension RapidCure Glass-Filled, Pre-Mixed, Urethane Grout to market. A patented, reflective, water-based, urethane grout, Dimension RapidCure contains micro-glass beads and a translucent, urethane binder that both reflect light and allow it to pass through. This adds an illuminating sparkle, creating one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional effects within glass tile installations. According to Scott Johnson, Marketing Manager of Voguebay, a major supplier of glass mosaics, “With Bostik’s Dimension RapidCure, now grout can be a fashionable product, too. Beautiful, three-dimensional tiles no longer have to be surrounded by boring...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced growth momentum for Element Hotels, fueled by strong demand for the stylish, eco-wise brand, with its portfolio set to double in the next two years. On track to open its 15th hotel later this year, Element has another 15 hotels slated to open by the end of 2017. With four new hotels opening in 2014, Element will expand outside of North America for the first time ever with the opening of Element Frankfurt Airport in September. In 2015, the launch of Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town will mark another milestone for...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—The continuous transformation of energy throughout nature is the focus for the Altered Form Collection introduced by Milliken’s global floor covering division. Inspired by the first law of thermodynamics, the collection takes an inquisitive view of the earth’s natural resources as it transitions from one form to another—and through that transition, creates inspiring pattern formations. Two perspectives, micro and macro, unveil striking patterns that are inherently abstract, with a balance of scale and relief.Much like the scientists who studied the mystery of energy throughout history, the ‘unknown’ led them to many wonderful discoveries. Milliken’s examination of this topic...