KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms has expanded its offering with design partner Escofet to include six new sculptural concrete site furnishings solutions: Gather modular seating, Petra bioinspired gathering points, Serp modular benches, Soc versatile urban elements, Tiers layered site furnishings and Wave artful modular platforms. A showcase of the cutting edge of Escofet’s design and manufacturing capabilities, each of the six new products in the offering is expressive and unique, merging functional design with public art and opening up innovative new possibilities in the design of outdoor space. While their forms range from geometric to organic, thin and crisp-edged to smooth, flowing and gently rounded, they’re united by Escofet’s distinctive sculptural aesthetic, impeccable craftsmanship, and thoughtful...

NEW YORK—Designtex, a leading designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, has released its second collaboration with London-based art and design studio Kapitza. The two originally worked together to create CrissCross in 2018. Now, founders and sisters Petra and Nicole have brought their unique perspective on shape and color back to Designtex with three new patterns that revolve around their fascination with geometry—the starting point for all of their work. Whether it be a circle, square, or line, each leads to vivid, color-based environments where people love to live, work, and play. “We hope our textiles spark...

ATLANTA—Interface, Inc., the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, released its 2024 Impact Report. The report outlines the company’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. It also highlights Interface’s progress toward its ambitious goals and initiatives while bringing its customers’ visions to life—reliably, and with real impact. Interface continues to set aggressive targets in line with the level of action needed for sound corporate citizenship and environmental responsibility—both critical to its long-term success. The report underscores the company’s efforts to operate in an ethical manner with a focus on sustainability that benefits all stakeholders—employees, customers, shareholders,...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the official opening of 1 Hotel Melbourne. This nature-inspired property marks the brand’s long-anticipated debut in Australia, redefining the future of luxury hospitality in the heart of one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities. Developed in partnership with Melbourne-based Riverlee, the hotel is set along 220 meters of uninterrupted Yarra River frontage in the revitalized North Wharf precinct. The building is a celebration of Melbourne’s storied past and a blueprint for a more sustainable future, brought to life through biophilic design principles and a commitment to living in harmony with nature. The...

NEW YORK—Hyphyn, the first biodegradable performance vinyl, introduces a breakthrough in sustainable materials, proving that high performance and environmental responsibility can coexist. Engineered with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, Hyphyn delivers commercial-grade durability while biodegrading over 90 percent within two years in landfill conditions—a first for performance vinyl. “True innovation isn’t just about creating something new—it’s about rethinking what’s possible,” says Iwan Nassimi, Executive Vice President of Nassimi, makers of Hyphyn. “Hyphyn reimagines vinyl’s lifecycle, offering the performance the industry relies on while solving the long-term environmental impact challenges no other vinyl has addressed.” Redefining Sustainable Performance Traditional vinyl...

Name: Danielle Khoo Title: Director of Sustainability | Global Design Strategies Company: Marriott International, Inc. Years in Current Position: Two years and three months. Primary Responsibilities: “Lead the sustainability strategy within the design and development processes with a focus on the built environment.” Company’s most significant accomplishment in design sustainability: “We released updates to new-build standards. It was quite the undertaking to update the standards.” Company’s most significant challenge moving forward in sustainability: “Minimizing our environmental impact while continuing to grow. Hotel companies are measured by growth. Getting over that hurdle.” SEATTLE—As Director of Sustainability | Global Design Strategies for Marriott International, Danielle Khoo ensures that...

SOLON, OHIO—On its path toward circularity, global flooring manufacturer Tarkett has found a new, circular solution for its renowned Powerbond hybrid carpet. Leveraging the power of mushrooms, now any Powerbond returned to Tarkett’s ReStart take-back and recycling program will be transformed into biobased raw materials for use in future Tarkett Sports products being introduced in the coming months. “Recognized for its unmatched durability and performance, Powerbond has been a cornerstone of Tarkett’s innovation portfolio for decades. Reclaiming it after years—sometimes decades—of use and converting it into a biobased raw material isn’t just progress, it’s a breakthrough,” said Roxane Spears, Vice President of Sustainability. “This...

CHICAGO—The 35th annual Best of NeoCon Awards kicked off NeoCon 2025 this week with a high-energy ceremony at THE MART, spotlighting the most forward-thinking products transforming the future of commercial interiors. A cornerstone of NeoCon since 1990, the iconic program celebrates exceptional solutions spanning workplace, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. This year, 96 awards were given to exhibitors for products across more than 40 categories, with honors awarded for Gold, Silver, Innovation, Sustainability, and Business Impact. The program’s top distinction, Best of Competition, was awarded to Halcon for its Astoria collection of conference and mobile communal tables. A multidisciplinary jury of 42 architects,...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—PM Hotel Group has experienced continued strategic growth across its overall portfolio, including its lifestyle and unconventional hospitality division Modus by PM Hotel Group. With a focus on authentic and immersive destinations, the company has significantly expanded its presence in key markets, targeting today’s independent-minded travelers seeking hotel stays that connect people and place. “At PM Hotel Group, we’re not just growing our portfolio—we’re carving out a unique space in the lifestyle segment through our Modus by PM Hotel Group division by developing and operating properties that deliver bold and authentic hospitality experiences,” said Paul Sacco, Chief Growth...

ATLANTA—Interface, Inc., the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, launched the Dressed Lines carpet tile and Lasting Impressions luxury vinyl tile (LVT) global collections. Both collections lean into the company’s legacy of smart design, creating a complete design experience and bringing a modern lens to design classics with innovative patterns, constructions, and manufacturing processes. The Dressed Lines carpet tile collection is inspired by post-war modernism, reflected in its playful use of contrast and angular shapes. Lasting Impressions LVT offers a different take on timeless visuals, drawing on the traditional crafts of tatami and plaster artisans. These collections feature...