WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the total footprint of commercial projects certified under its LEED green building program surpassed two billion square feet. An additional seven billion square feet is currently in the pipeline across the globe as registered projects.“In communities around the globe, leaders from every sector of the building industry are reinventing their local landscapes with buildings that enliven and bolster the health of our environment, communities and local economies,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. “The journey to this milestone has energized our economy-funneling $554 billion annually into the...

BETHESDA, MD.—Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its new lobby and room design in Kansas City, Mo. This is the latest Courtyard in the area featuring the “refreshing business” makeover. The 123-room Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City at Briarcliff is scheduled to open in early September as a LEED certified property. The hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Capital Management of Overland Park, Kan.Located 10 minutes from downtown, four miles from the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport and15 miles from the Kansas City International Airport, the Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City at Briarcliff offers...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics, a supplier of decorative textiles to the hospitality industry, announced the appointment of Andrew Mahoney as executive vice president. Mahoney will report directly to co-presidents Diana and Michael Dobin and will play a pivotal roll in running Valley Forge’s business. “Andy brings tremendous experience and value having streamlined medium and large businesses, measurably increasing efficiencies,” says Diana Dobin. “As Valley Forge continues to grow, we will look to Andy to bring a FRESH outside approach and apply his unique perspective to our organization.” “Andy’s experience will enhance our business while his unique energy and drive will...

NATIONAL REPORT—At the Bardessono in Yountville, Calif., wood from reclaimed Claro walnut and Bay laurel trees form desks and doors. At the new Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, Ga., reclaimed pine from South Georgia was used to create the flooring in the Ben Porter Salon event room. When the Hotel Vermont opens next April in Burlington, Vt., the hotel lobby will feature reclaimed antique red oak flooring. Using reclaimed wood in flooring, furniture and for other uses is becoming increasingly common in projects as more suppliers collect and revitalize this wood from sources ranging from deconstructed barns...

SAN FRANCISCO—Registration is now open for the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Taking place this year in San Francisco at the Moscone Center, Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. Record attendance of 35,000 is anticipated from across the green building sector, spanning commercial and residential professionals, architects, building owners and operators, students, advocates and educators.“We are thrilled to bring the energy of Greenbuild to San Francisco, home to some of the world’s leading minds in both sustainability and technology,” said Kimberly Lewis, senior vice president, Community Advancement,...

DELAVAN, WIS.—GreenBuildTV (GBTV) announces the launch of their new website; a user-friendly portal, providing green-minded builders and consumers with a variety of innovative products, systems and building concepts. With a hands-on approach, visitors to the site will be able to explore various projects, following every step of the building process through detailed documentation via videos, journals and photos.GBTV’s first foray into commercial projects is the innovative Green Leaf Inn, the first net zero energy hotel being built in North America. Visitors can join the journey—learn about the installation of a metal roof, find out about their state-of-the art aerobic...

MARIETTA, GA.—The Mohawk Group has named Rochelle Routman director of sustainability. Routman has almost three decades experience driving sustainability programs in both private industry and the public service sector.Routman comes to the Mohawk Group from Southern Company and Georgia Power, where she served as chair of the Sustainability Working Group and environmental specialist. She previously held sustainability leadership positions with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. She is a member of the Georgia Solar Energy Assn. and membership chair for the Green Chamber of the South.“Rochelle has a strong track record in sustainability culture development...

CHICAGO—A multi-hotel complex and convention center planned for development near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport aims to set the standard for eco-friendly architecture and design in the hospitality industry, and boost the city’s efforts to be a global leader in the green movement. A Chicago Convention Center development promises to be the world’s first zero carbon platinum LEED convention complex, aiming for zero carbon emissions and a 100 percent allergen-free structure. Plans call for the greenest building standards, including state-of-the-art technology that supports “guestrooms of the future,” equipped with high-tech amenities that encourage sustainable behavior. Business guests will be able...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, an independent global organization that writes standards, tests and certifies products for the green building, food, water and consumer goods industries, has certified the first sustainable wallcovering products and qualified three additional distributors to the NSF American National Standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings (NSF/ANSI 342). NSF International developed NSF/ANSI 342: Sustainability Assessment for Wallcovering Products to help architects, designers, retailers and consumers identify sustainable and environmentally preferable wallcoverings.LSI Wallcovering is the first manufacturer to earn NSF/ANSI 342 product certification. The manufacturer certified their entire line of Type I and Type II standard and custom wallcoverings sold...

LONGBOAT KEY, FLA.—Longboat Key Club & Resort announced the redesign of its Library Meeting Room, which showcases the talents of local craftsmen and manufacturers, and features a multitude of sustainable and environmentally friendly elements. The most recent application, the redesign of the Library Meeting Room, boasts River Reclaimed Heartwood flooring, paints containing zero or very low VOC (volatile organic compounds), soy-based foam cushions in the new chairs, energy efficient LED lighting and an Energy Star rated television.The Reclaimed Heartwood Flooring, from Goodwin Heart Pine Company, is a Florida based flooring company that specializes in recovering original growth logs from...