CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville, a maker of sustainable tile products, introduces Origins Glass mosaics, a new take on Old-World craftsmanship. Made of post-consumer recycled glass, Origins Glass requires a minimal amount of materials for production, yet its textured, swirled and iridized surfaces create great visual depth and give the appearance of hand-made glass. The line comprises 20 colors in five groupings: Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Universe—all inspired by nature.Designed by one of the industry’s most respected color forecasters, Barbara Schirmeister, ASID, DC, CAUS, the line has a clear, luminescent quality.“Specifiers and homeowners alike may mix, match and blend these hues...

ATLANTA—Hanwha Surfaces, a global manufacturer of quartz and acrylic solid surfaces, highlighted their commercial focus as well as the launch of five new colors in their HanStone Quartz line at the recent HD Expo in Las Vegas.“With Hanstone’s May launch of five new colors, including the revolutionary six-color, Rolling Stone design and the post- consumer recycled Homebrewed design, HD Expo connected today’s design community with the color options they demand,” said Bob Paradiso, Hanwha Surfaces vice president of sales and marketing.  Homebrewed adds a neutral, earthy element to the existing five recycled products in the HanStone line that can...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Saint-Gobain has achieved GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality and GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification for its Grenite series of engineered stone surfaces. In order to become GREENGUARD Certified, the entire Grenite line met stringent certification requirements for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). “These certifications reinforce our commitment to producing quality products that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also help set an industry standard of sustainability and ongoing health and safety,” said Diana Ohl, product manager engineered stone at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. “By meeting the strict standards provided by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, specifying Grenite for commercial and...

INDIANAPOLIS—CityWay, a transformative new 14-acre neighborhood in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, is incorporating a number of sustainable initiatives into the new community, including plentiful green space, energy and water efficiency, a recycling program, enhanced indoor environmental quality, carpooling and electric vehicle support. It is also pursuing LEED certification for the new Alexander Hotel, a Dolce Hotel, affirming CityWay’s support for environmentally-conscious design, construction and living for downtown.“Sustainable living and working are central to the vision for CityWay,” said Scott Travis, senior development director of Buckingham Companies. “From the construction phase through its completion, CityWay will remain on the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson has sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) president and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, urging changes to the treatment of forest products under the Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2012 rating system. LEED, widely used by building owners and operators to certify their materials and operations are energy efficient and environmentally friendly, plans to release a revised rating system, LEED 2012, in November of 2012.The bipartisan letter, signed by Thompson and seven other Members of Congress representing districts with significant rural or forestry interests, urges USGBC to “accept...

LAS VEGAS—Glen Raven Custom Fabrics has expanded its Sunbrella branded offerings with the premiere of a full portfolio of Sunbrella Contract fabrics at this month’s HD Expo in Las Vegas. The fabrics are designed specifically for indoor and outdoor use. “The Sunbrella brand is known for beautiful, durable fabrics for the furniture, awning and marine industries,” said Allen Hawks, contract fabrics market manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics. “Our move into the contract market was done with careful consideration, years of R&D work and the development of partnerships with leading decorative jobbers in the industry. We are pleased to offer...

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.—More than 300 people gathered Sunday to celebrate the official grand opening of the new Jekyll Island Convention Center. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal held the large scissors and cut the ribbon on the highly-anticipated new convention center, while state delegates, the Jekyll Island Authority board, staff and public came together to usher in a new era for Jekyll Island. The center, which is expected to earn LEED Silver, features numerous eco-friendly elements, including solar panels, a reflective roof, a cistern for collecting and dispensing rainwater, and low-impact lighting. Shells and sea glass from Georgia shores were ground...

LAS VEGAS—Hoteliers, designers, architects and others seeking green product and service options had a plethora to choose from at this year’s Hospitality Design Expo + Conference. The May 15 to 17 event was held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Attendance was up 15 percent from last year, according to show organizers, with about 7,000 in attendance and more than 900 exhibitors. There were many first-time green exhibitors, offering items ranging from hotel drinking water systems to energy-efficient LED light bulbs to a bed that transforms into a heat chamber to effectively kill dust mites...

FISH CAMP, CALIF.—Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has earned double Silver LEED certification at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, an all-season resort located just outside of Yosemite National Park in Fish Camp, Calif. Both certifications follow a yearlong project that expanded Tenaya’s banquet, event and meeting spaces and office area, plus added a destination spa.Delaware North, which owns and operates Tenaya, followed a process laid out by its environmental program, GreenPath, to ensure environmental stewardship and measurable green practices. The company worked with Layton Construction Company and architect Peter Grove of Collaborative Design Studio.The Silver LEED-certified expansion brings Tenaya...

QUITO, ECUADOR—Mashpi Lodge, a luxury property three hours northwest of Ecuador’s capital Quito, opened its doors recently to receive its first guests, following four years of construction and 14 years since the land was first acquired.The lodge ranks among the most exciting hotel openings in South America this year. It has already garnered international media attention, including being featured in Outside magazine’s inaugural annual Travel Awards as Best Eco-Lodge.Mashpi Lodge is set to raise the bar in environmentally-sensitive lodging as its project embraces the protection of a 1,300 hectare (3,200-acre) reserve, while funding scientific research, providing sustainable opportunities for...