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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.

Cool Roof Research Project Receives Funding

MIDLAND, MICH.—The Dow Chemical Company announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will fund key lab research as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Dow and DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to accelerate the adoption of cool roof technologies in the United States. As a critical element of the research agreement, ORNL will partner with DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to bring a broad range of cool roof technology and experience from their applied research in this field. The research will focus on the development of new solar reflective technologies that would...

Drury Plaza Hotel Chooses A Better House, Inc. for ICFs

NASHVILLE—A new Drury Plaza Hotel, the more upscale brand within the Drury family, is currently being built in Franklin, Tenn., and the shell of the building is being made with ultra-efficient, eco-friendly insulated concrete forms, commonly referred to as ICFs. Middle Tennessee’s most established ICF builder, A Better House, Inc., has been hired to assist in the construction. The structure stands at more than 130 feet, giving it a total of 11 stories plus a penthouse. The anticipated opening date is set for sometime this fall. As one of the first hotel chains to utilize ICF construction, Drury has quickly...

Wakefield Inn Mill & Spa’s Eco River Lodge Addition Set to Open July 1

WAKEFIELD, QUEBEC—Less than three months remain before the July 1 opening of the new 10,000-square-foot addition to the Wakefield Inn Mill & Spa. The 13-room addition, named the Eco River Lodge, is being built to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. “It is conceivable we might make Silver,” says innkeeper Robert Milling, adding that his goal is the first tier of certification. What will help the inn qualify for LEED is its passive solar design, use of local materials, and highly efficient geothermal heating and cooling system. Set within Gatineau Park, within a 25-minute drive of...

Valley Forge Fabrics Earns Third Consecutive Emerald Award

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—For the third year in a row, Broward County has selected Valley Forge Fabrics to receive one of the County’s 2010 Emerald Awards in the Recycling category for environmental excellence. The Emerald Award is given annually by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Environmental Protection Department to honor businesses for exceptional commitment to protecting the environment. Valley Forge Fabrics, a leader in sustainable textiles and decorative fabrics for hospitality, launched its FRESH initiative more than five years ago. FRESH is an acronym for Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards for Hospitality. The company’s Tencel+Plus Lyocell products are the...

Artist & Visionary Michael Jantzen to Keynote HD Green Day

LAS VEGAS—Before the action of the 2011 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (The HD Expo) officially begins on May 18, industry leaders will gather a day early for HD Green Day (May 17) to discuss socially responsible, ethical and eco-friendly practices within the world of hospitality design. Presented by Hospitality Design magazine and produced by the Hospitality Design Group, both events will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. “Sustainable design is a growing area of the hospitality world, not only for functional reasons but for the aesthetics of the designs as well,” said Elizabeth...

Tambo Del Inka Is First Hotel in Peru To Earn LEED Certification

URUBAMBA, PERU—Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, has earned its LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first hotel in Peru to be awarded with such a distinction. LEED is an internationally recognized, third-party certification for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. This certification recognizes Tambo del Inka’s commitment to areas of environmental impact and occupants’ well-being, having earned credits in the sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy savings, material use, indoor environmental quality, as well as technological and process innovation. “Tambo del Inka reaffirms...

First Four Points by Sheraton to Pursue LEED Planned for Tallahassee

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—A new Four Points by Sheraton in Tallahassee is expected to become the brand’s first LEED-certified property, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced. Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown, which will open this summer, is on track to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in 2012. The hotel is also working toward earning certification as part of the Florida Green Lodging Program. Located in the heart of Florida’s capital city, Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown will occupy a 12-story round building that has been a...

LEED Volume Program Celebrates 500th Certified Pilot Project

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments.  Utilizing a prototype-based approach, the program enables large-scale organizational builders and operators to deliver a consistent end product, earning LEED certification faster and at a lower cost than would be possible with individual building reviews. The certification program was designed to meet industry...

Staron Surfaces Adds 10 New Solid Surface Colors

LOS ANGELES—Staron Surfaces, a product of technology leader Samsung, recently added 10 new solid surface colors to appeal to remodelers and commercial designers. More than 70 colors are now available in total. The seven new colors in Solid Surfaces cover both Sanded classic and Aspen classic color varieties. Incorporating the use of small, sand-sized particles in varying degrees of depth and visibility, Sanded classic includes the new Sanded Birch, Sanded Papyrus, Sanded Tundra and Sanded Clay surfaces. Aspen Milk has been added to the Aspen classic line, which combines small and mid-sized particles in a bed of muted solid...

Inn Owner, Survivor of Hurricane Ike, Will Use Shipping Containers in B&B Expansion

CRYSTAL BEACH, TEXAS—In September 2008, Hurricane Ike leveled thousands of homes along the Texas coast. It was the third costliest Atlantic hurricane of all time. The four-room Out By the Sea Bed and Breakfast in Crystal Beach, owned by Carole Hamadey, survived the onslaught but still sustained significant damage. The next time a powerful hurricane comes knocking on Hamadey’s door, it will have a more difficult time “renovating.” Hamadey is about to add three additional guestrooms to her B&B using three steel shipping containers. That’s right, the large shipping containers one sees on ships crossing the ocean. Construction using the...