BRIMFIELD, MASS.—MGM Resorts International announced that it has selected Gensler, a leader in global sustainability, as the architectural firm that will oversee the design of MGM’s Rolling Hills Resort project in Brimfield, Mass. The choice of Gensler is in keeping with MGM’s commitment to sustainability. “We don’t believe development should come at the cost of natural beauty,” said Jim Murren, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Gensler is a company that shares our green values and we are proud to have them joining our Brimfield team.” Gensler is a member of the Business Council on Climate Change and was ranked the number one...

NORTHRIDGE, CALIF.—Reid Witlin Ltd., a textile company focused on the hospitality market, announced that it has committed to raise funds through running for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. “In an industry that has been hit extremely hard during this recession, we are eternally grateful to all the designers and purchasers who are continuing to lean on us for their fabric needs,” said Scott Yasgoor, president of Reid Witlin Ltd. “We feel that 2012 is our year to focus on giving back to help the people who are continuing to struggle.” Beginning in Atlanta on February 11, Reid Witlin will begin...

SANTA ANA, CALIF.—Rachel Hulan announced the launch of Hulan Design, a consultancy service that will provide specialized expert advice and guidance targeting sustainable interior design projects. Hulan Design is aimed at helping interior designers, architects, home owners, real estate developers and anyone else seeking expert guidance while creating residential or commercial projects that adhere to sustainable, environmentally conscious principles. Rachel Hulan has been involved in interior design projects ranging from the Sundance Film Festival and the Teen Choice Awards, to numerous residential assignments. As an interior designer and architectural color consultant in Orange County for 14 years, and the...

QUITO, ECUADOR—There is a new destination for experiencing natural beauty, biodiversity and eco-adventure in the Ecuadorian Andes: the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve. Located two-and-a-half hours west of historic Quito, this 3,000-acre reserve protects a small slice of the Tumbez-Chocó-Magdalena biodiversity “hotspot,” and will be home to a new retreat called Mashpi Lodge, new on the heels of its sister property Casa Gangotena that opened in Quito Old Town in October. This lodge has been designed as a springboard for exploring the biodiverse world of its reserve. A private getaway only accessible to its guests and located on a high plateau,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—ForrestPerkins announced that Pamela Parsons, AIA, ASID, LEED AP, has joined the luxury hospitality design firm as vice president of operations. Parsons, who is a licensed architect, a certified interior designer, and a LEED Accredited Professional, brings a unique hotel owner’s perspective and a great depth of experience to the firm.“We have worked closely with Pam Parsons on a number of projects over the years,” says Stephen Perkins, AIA, ISHC, principal and co-founder of ForrestPerkins. “Pam is a seasoned professional in hotel design and construction for both domestic and international new development and renovations, and we have always...

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—This past October was a landmark month for the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC). It was then that the nonprofit turned five years old. SFC is a nonprofit coalition of materials suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and designers committed to promoting sustainable practices in the home furnishings industry. While focused on home furnishings, different elements of SFC cross over into hospitality—e.g., suppliers, designers, and the criteria by which furnishings are deemed sustainable.“Many of our manufacturer, supplier and designer members also work in commercial,” says Susan Inglis, executive director and founding member of SFC. “All of our members are companies that...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—LEED-certified existing buildings are outpacing their newly built counterparts, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). As of last month, square footage of LEED-certified existing buildings surpassed LEED-certified new construction by 15 million square feet on a cumulative basis. “The U.S. is home to more than 60 billion square feet of existing commercial buildings, and we know that most of those buildings are energy guzzlers and water sieves,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Greening these buildings takes hands-on work, creating precious jobs especially for construction workers. Making these existing buildings energy and water efficient...

LAS VEGAS—Crystals Retail & Entertainment District at CityCenter has earned Gold sustainable design awards from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the global trade association of the shopping center industry. The awards were earned in ICSC’s annual U.S. Design and Development Awards competition. “Crystals is an integral part of CityCenter and was created with a vision to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International that co-developed CityCenter with Infinity World Development Corp. “As one of the world’s largest sustainable developments, CityCenter’s environmental responsibility...

CHARLESTON, S.C.—GreenWizard, a Web-based solution designed to simplify building material selection and management, announced a technology partnership with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators of the LEED green building program and LEED Online. This partnership enables users of GreenWizard and their LEED Assessment tools to easily sync up data and information with LEED Online, the software platform that manages the LEED green building certification process. Using the LEED Automation API, GreenWizard is the first product management solution to integrate with LEED Online, and this integration is the first step toward a fully automated process (called LEED Automation) for obtaining...

MIAMI—Some important project details are currently confidential—the name of the owner and developer, for example—but information released by Miami-based Oppenheim Architecture + Design indicates that a 244-room, 440-foot high hotel is in the pipeline for the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. The hotel is being design to earn LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. According to Carolina Botero, a designer at Oppenheim Architecture + Design, the hotel is still in the early stages of development and will be completed by 2015. Key sustainability features will include vertical access wind turbines, green roof, rainwater harvesting and reuse,...