TORONTO—A three-floor, 114-bed hostel in Toronto that will open within the next couple of weeks could very well be the most energy efficient lodging establishment in North America. Incorporating solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, geothermal and heat capture technologies, the “low carbon” hostel will produce 75 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a comparable building its size. The hostel’s name is the Planet Traveler and co-developer Tom Rand says the property is by far the best in class for hostels and was built to the standards of a boutique hotel. The cost for the energy-saving systems was $200,000, just 5 percent...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Energy Cinch as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Energy Cinch is a highly effective energy saving Roman Shade style window treatment. It has an R-value of 7.69 and is designed to close off the convective loop, significantly lowering energy consumption and costs. Energy Cinch reduces winter heat loss by as much as 80 percent and summer heat gain by as much as 70 percent, making it a highly effective thermal barrier. The Energy Cinch shade installs behind existing drapes or by itself. Numerous fabrics and...

SEATTLE—The Living Building Challenge, widely regarded as the world’s most rigorous green building performance standard, has redefined the design and construction process for more than 70 projects since its launch in 2006. The International Living Building Institute announced the results of its first third-party certification audits earlier this month, declaring that the world’s first ‘Living Buildings’ are finally a reality. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, N.Y., and the Tyson Living Learning Center in Eureka, Mo., each earned full certification, or “Living” status. Additionally, Eco-Sense, a private residence in Victoria, B.C., earned partial program certification, “Petal Recognition,” for...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hampton Hotels recently announced that the Hampton Inn and Suites in Folsom, Calif., has achieved LEED certification, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This is the second Hampton hotel property to earn LEED recognition for sustainable building design, construction and operations. “We are proud to add the Hampton Inn & Suites Folsom to the property list of LEED certified Hampton hotels,” said Phil Cordell, global head, Focused Service and Hampton Brand. “Sustainability is a driving force for the brand and for Hilton Worldwide.  Partnering with franchisees like Folsom Lodging keeps us at the forefront of our...

NATIONAL REPORT—Carpeting is certainly one of the most significant considerations when designing a hotel’s interior—from an aesthetic, cost, maintenance, and durability perspective. Fortunately for the lodging industry, and for those who specify or purchase carpet, manufacturers of the floor covering material are making it easier to minimize one’s environmental impact without compromising any aspect of the product. Increasingly, manufacturers are taking a Cradle to Cradle approach to manufacturing—making sure that as few resources as necessary are used during manufacturing, that as much recycled content as possible is included in the carpeting and its backing, and that at the end...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. debuted new guestroom designs for its Westin and Sheraton hotels. The new room schemes, from furniture to textiles, were custom-created by Starwood’s in-house Brand Design team led by Erin Hoover, vice president of design. With a background in fashion, fine art and industrial design, the team applied key learning’s from extensive in-room behavior research which indicated a desire for a greater level of stylish functionality—resulting in design specifically targeted to address some of traveler’s biggest pet peeves. The new room designs will be featured in new hotels and renovation projects globally...

NEW YORK—KnollTextiles creative director Dorothy Cosonas has designed the Omni Collection of upholstery fabrics to be introduced this fall. Pony Up, Ransom and Spot On all feature saturated color and sophisticated patterns and textures. Fibers include recycled polyesters, cotton and nylon; all are Greenguard certified and may contribute to LEED certification. Pony Up is a large scale, undulating stripe that will make a bold statement in any interior. Made of 75 percent post consumer recycled polyester and 25 percent post industrial recycled polyester, this fabric has sustainable attributes. It also has a Nano-Tex finish for superior stain and soil resistance...

TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—Located on the French Polynesian island of Tetiaroa and a product of the late Marlon Brando’s vision, construction on The Brando is progressing steadily with completion slated for late 2012. Pacific Beachcomber S.C. is developer of the resort. The president of French Polynesia, Gaston Tong Sang, recently made an official visit to Tetiaroa for a tour of The Brando construction site. Organized by Richard Bailey, CEO of Pacific Beachcomber S.C., and friend of the late actor, the trip was designed to share progress of the project’s construction with the president and his Minister of Environment, Jules Ienfa,...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Aloft Charlotte Ballantyne has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Aloft Charlotte Ballantyne becomes the tenth LEED certified property for parent Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Set along the grassy greens of The Golf Club at Ballantyne in an upscale lifestyle community, Aloft Charlotte Ballantyne is just steps from chic shops and Ballantyne Corporate Park—and a quick trip to downtown. Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, Aloft Hotels delivers style at an economical rate, with urban-influenced, modern, open...

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island is the first state to adopt the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The Rhode Island Green Buildings Act identifies the IGCC as an equivalent standard in compliance with requirements that all public agency major facility projects be designed and constructed as green buildings. The Rules and Regulations to implement the Act take effect in October. “It’s very exciting to me as building code commissioner to see that we are the first,” John P. Leyden, C.B.O., and Rhode Island State Building Code commissioner said. “I think that we are very fortunate in being a smaller state in...