ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—American Clay Enterprises, Inc.’s new PlasterPlus offers a hard, yet repairable, no-VOC (volatile organic compound) finish for the cost of a high quality, zero-VOC paint job.  PlasterPlus is sold dry in 27 lb. lots through select commercial distributors, and is intended for hospitality projects. The polymer binder has no VOCs, is mold resistant, easy to apply, and can contribute up to eight LEED points. American Clay has been used for numerous commercial/industrial jobs to date—from hotels (including Disney) and retail to schools and spas. Now with PlasterPlus, American Clay can replace paint more equitably. Adding the completely repairable binder...

CHICAGO—Architects, designers, retailers and consumers now have an American National Standard that helps identify sustainable and environmentally-preferable wallcoverings: NSF/ANSI 342: Sustainability Assessment for Wallcovering Products. NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to protecting public health and the environment, announced the adoption of the first American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved wallcovering standard at Greenbuild 2010. The NSF/ANSI 342 sustainable wallcovering standard was developed through the National Center for Sustainability Standards, which was founded by NSF to develop national standards and protocols for measuring sustainability attributes and conformity assessment programs to help verify sustainability claims. The Center is helping to eliminate...

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the west coast, was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and is one of only 14 convention centers in the country to earn this distinction. LEED is the lead rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for designing, constructing and operating the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.   “The Anaheim Convention Center continues to remain current, and we are very pleased with the LEED certification awarded to the Convention Center,” said City of Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. “Upgrades to and...

CHICAGO—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference & Expo officially started on Wednesday, November 17 in Chicago as retired Gen. Colin Powell addressed a crowd of 10,000 in the opening keynote hall with a message of leadership and optimism for the future. Powell presented the Greenbuild 2010 opening keynote address at a plenary session that also included a discussion between political pundits Mary Matalin and James Carville and remarks from USGBC president, CEO and founding chair Rick Fedrizzi. “Leadership has to be passionate,” General Colin Powell said. “Each person involved must believe they have a purpose.”  Powell’s address...

DENVER—Atmosphere Hospitality Management, which introduced its full service, 180-suite Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites prototype earlier this year, has added a 112-room select service option for developers called Adoba Eco Inn. Every Adoba Eco Inn, like each Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites, will be required to achieve Gold or Platinum certification through the U.S. Green Business Council’s LEED certification process for new construction. The Adoba Eco Inn prototype features the brand’s green “DNA”—Distinctively New Attributes—such as Adoba Smart Solar Roofing, A-Gemini Alternative Wind Energy Solution, the A-Gemini Total Technology Property Management System, and the Journey Rewards program. “The development and...

MIAMI—Fabric Innovations, a leading supplier of luxury linens, bedding and custom fabrics to the worldwide hospitality industry, unveiled a new line of eco-friendly bamboo bedding at Boutique Design New York (BDNY). The inaugural design-centric hospitality product showcase was held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, November 14 to 15, 2010. The new bedding line, which includes uniquely textured quilted coverlets and pillow shams in a soft color palette, is crafted exclusively from 100 percent Moso bamboo, recognized worldwide for its superior sustainability and environmentally friendly characteristics. In addition, bamboo fabric’s unique silky texture provides a high...

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) 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 Hilton Asheville is a great example of how to combine sustainability with exceptional features and amenities to create a memorable guest experience,” said Ron Storto, vice president of hotel development with Biltmore Farms LLC. “From a destination spa and fine dining to eco-conscious products and operations, this new addition to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) broke ground Wednesday, November 10 on the Washington Marriott Marquis. Joining them for this occasion were Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), city officials, representatives from WCSA’s board of directors, Quadrangle Development, Capstone Development, Marriott International, Inc. and Destination DC. The ceremony took place on the construction site at Ninth Street and Massachusetts Avenue, directly adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The hotel, which was designed to earn LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, is scheduled to open in spring 2014. “This is...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Urban Renewal by Crossville combines the beauty of real metal accent and trim pieces with a dimensional composite body, which means that although it has the look of heavy metal, the tile is actually lightweight and easy to install.  And, in keeping with its name, Urban Renewal has a 50 percent post-consumer recycled content, which has been certified by Scientific Certification Systems. Designed by color forecaster Barbara Schirmeister, ASID, DC, CAUS, for both commercial and residential installations, Urban Renewal is suitable for interior and exterior vertical applications, such as backsplashes, bathroom and shower walls, fireplace surrounds and feature walls....

PASADENA, CALIF.—Because of its commitment to sustainability, the expanded Pasadena Convention Center has been awarded LEED Gold certification, making it one of only three U.S. convention centers to earn the prestigious Gold designation. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute, is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.  “We are proud to be one of the greenest convention centers in North America,” said Pasadena Center Operating Company CEO Michael Ross. “It is enticing to our clients,...