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Green Design

With the goal of reducing energy costs and minimizing environmental impact, architects and designers are getting serious about green design. Every part of the property can be impacted and savvy designers are incorporating reclaimed materials and restorative greenery. Visit Green Lodging News for the latest news and best practices. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Green Design

Home Green Design
With the goal of reducing energy costs and minimizing environmental impact, architects and designers are getting serious about green design. Every part of the property can be impacted and savvy designers are incorporating reclaimed materials and restorative greenery. Visit Green Lodging News for the latest news and best practices. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

GSA Steps Up Requirements for Carpet, Carpet Tile

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which serves as the purchasing arm of the U.S. government and oversees more than $60 billion in purchased goods and services annually, now requires Gold Level certification to NSF/ANSI 140 Sustainability Assessment for Carpet for all broadloom (wall-to-wall) carpet and carpet tile purchased through the GSA. Current GSA carpet suppliers have until January 1, 2012, to certify their products to NSF/ANSI 140 Gold Level in order for their carpets to be considered for purchase through the GSA. NSF International, an independent organization committed to protecting human health and the environment,...

Hotel Andaluz Awarded LEED Gold Green Building Certification

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The Hotel Andaluz announced that it has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The hotel is the only historic property to be certified LEED Gold in the Southwest and the second in the United States. “The Hotel underwent a $30 million dollar renovation in 2009 with an eye on sustainability,” explained Gary Goodman, owner of Hotel Andaluz. “At the top of our priority list was long-term sustainability and...

Omni Dallas Hotel Outlines Sustainability Plans, In Pursuit of LEED Silver

DALLAS—The Omni Dallas Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Dallas, has outlined its sustainability plan which will lead to the property’s LEED Silver New Construction (NC) certification upon opening. The plan includes use of recycled and regionally-sourced materials, reduced construction pollution and water conservation initiatives. “Earning the LEED Silver New Construction status will be a tremendous accomplishment—one made possible by the tremendous efforts of the City, Matthews Southwest, Balfour/Russell/Pegasus, 5Gstudio_collaborative, BOKA Powell, Vivian-Nichols Associates and every team member who has a hand in keeping the project focused on sustainability,” said Nils Stolzlechner, general manager of the Omni Dallas Hotel....

Two Behr Paint Lines Now Meet GREENGUARD Guidelines

SANTA ANA, CALIF.—Behr Process Corp., a provider of paint and coatings, announced that two of its paint lines now meet guidelines set forth by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) as part of the institute’s Indoor Air Quality and Children & School Certification programs. Behr’s recently certified products include all Behr Premium Plus and Premium Plus Ultra interior paints, including Behr Premium Plus interior/exterior high gloss series. The GREENGUARD Certified products meet strict chemical emission limits to help create healthier indoor-living environments. “Behr is proud to offer high-quality, environmentally-safe professional products,” said Joe Richardson, senior vice president of professional products and...

Lineup Set for HD Expo & Conference’s Green Day

LAS VEGAS—The speaker lineup has been finalized for Green Day on May 17, an event held one day prior to the beginning of the 2011 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (The HD Expo). Both Green Day and The HD Expo are presented by Hospitality Design magazine and produced by the Hospitality Design Group and will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Green Day will begin with a luncheon at which the winner of the NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Student Design Competition— Jamie Matthews Ivey, LEED AP—will be announced. The two winners of the Earth Minded...

Ultrasuede to Exhibit at HD Expo in Las Vegas

NEW YORK—Toray International America, Inc., makers of Ultrasuede Ambiance and Torale Luxe, will exhibit at HDExpo 2011 in Las Vegas, May 18 to 20. The branded Ultrasuede and Torale upholstery covers offer eco-friendly solutions to specifiers of hospitality and design furnishings and installations. In 2009, Toray debuted EcoDesign, an environmentally responsible line of products based on innovative recycling technology, or PET chemical recycling. The new technology results in reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions by a minimum average of 80 percent. EcoDesign captures industrial materials, such as scrap polyester films, from the Toray manufacturing processes and recycles them for use...

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Introduces Sustainable Design Policy

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, an industry leader on environmental sustainability and responsible tourism for more than two decades through its Green Partnership Program, announced that it will further its commitment to greening with the introduction of a new Sustainable Design Policy. Establishing a formalized, worldwide policy, which addresses highly recognized environmental certifications such as the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for new development projects and renovation programs, also supports the brand’s larger pledge to reduce operational CO2 emissions as a member of World Wildlife Fund’s Climate Savers program. “When it comes to greening...

Designtex Maintains Carbon Neutral Operations for Second Year

NEW YORK—Last week, Earth Week, marked Designtex’s second year of carbon neutral operations. Designtex has continued its partnership again this year with NativeEnergy, a leading provider of carbon offsets, renewable energy credits, and carbon footprint consulting. NativeEnergy assessed Designtex’s total operational footprint for 2011 according to the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Greenhouse Gas Protocols. The resulting footprint of 4075 tons of CO2 emissions this year includes all Designtex facilities’ energy use, business travel, freight (inbound and outbound shipments), employee commuting, and waste. A summary of the report is available on Designtex’s website. Of the total footprint, the majority (3341 tons...

Carlson Registers for LEED Certification for Headquarters

MINNEAPOLIS—Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, announced on Earth Day that it has registered for the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the company’s corporate headquarters in Minneapolis. Carlson is pursuing LEED certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, which helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues including chemical use, recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. Below...

Element Hotels to Make Canadian Debut with Greater Vancouver Opening

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The city striving to become the world’s greenest metropolis by 2020 is getting a hotel to match. Greater Vancouver will become the site of Canada’s first Element, a trailblazer in eco-conscious hospitality from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Set to welcome guests in 2014, Element Vancouver Metrotown is owned by Bosa Properties and will be managed by Atlific Hotels. Element hotels are green by design and inspired by nature. Element hotels’ energizing, eco-chic environment offers bright public spaces, smart design, and modern touches. Every Element property is also a high-performance building where sustainable practices reduce waste and...