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...

RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C.—Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation’s top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, has opened the first LEED-designed Courtyard by Marriott.  Located in Settlers Ridge in west suburban Pittsburgh, the state-of-the-art property design, created by Concord with support from Marriott, will be the prototype for all future LEED-compliant Courtyards. The new design is expected to reduce energy usage at Courtyard hotels by an average of 24 percent annually and save more than 300,000 gallons of water per year, the equivalent of 21 swimming pools. This improved energy efficiency is expected to produce average annual operating savings of $50,000 at current energy costs,...

INDIANAPOLIS—After months of strategic planning and a high profile Neocon preview in June, U.K. textile innovator Camira has opened for business in North America with staff, stockholding and samples all in place to service the North American interior fabric marketplace. The Camira North America operation is headquartered in Indianapolis, with initial stocked inventory totalling more than 200 SKUs all available on a quick ship service via a cut yardage program and with full sampling support.  Camira is a market leading European textile manufacturer, independently recognized for product and environmental innovation, achieving annual sales of 10 million yards to global clients...

CHICAGO—The annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo is less than two months away. The event will be held November 17 to 19 in Chicago at McCormick Place West—the site of Greenbuild 2007 but with twice as much space this year. Every year, Greenbuild is packed with timely, innovative education from throughout the industry, the world’s largest green building expo floor, inspirational speakers, networking opportunities, special events, tours and recreational opportunities. This year is no different. More than 800 exhibiting companies will be on hand, including companies from American Dryer Inc. to Zurn Industries, LLC. Notable speakers will include Paul Hawken,...

TEMPERANCE, MICH.—MTS Seating has introduced a new series of chairs specifically designed for hospitality dining and breakfast areas. The new DinePlus 20 chairs from MTS feature a 20-inch wide, COMFORTweb seat that meets the requirements and specifications of a wide range of hospitality brands. The DinePlus 20 features a fully upholstered back and COMFORTweb seat to provide superior comfort to the seated patron. Offered in two back styles with either a pullover or drop-edge seat, these chairs are also available with a two-tone seat and back combination.  “We designed these chairs to have the look and feel of residential dining chairs,...

HOWARD, PA.—For Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the 16-room, 18,500-square foot Nature Inn at Bald Eagle is just the first of many more green buildings to come. DCNR has committed to pursue the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for the inn and at least LEED certification for all of its future buildings. The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle is green from ground to rooftop and a great start for DCNR. The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle had its grand opening on September 2 earlier this month and innkeeper...

PHILADELPHIA—Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and the City of Philadelphia, announced that one year after opening, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia and Square 1682 restaurant have been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at the Gold level by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. The milestone marks the first LEED certified hotel and restaurant for Kimpton and for Philadelphia. “This achievement truly marks a milestone in Kimpton’s history and 29-year initiative of sustainability,” said Mike Depatie,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has just released a fire and building safety guide to green construction called “Bridging the Gap: Fire Safety and Green Buildings.” This guide identifies some of the key areas where rapidly growing green building construction issues coincide with building and fire safety needs. “This guide will give both the fire service and the green construction community a reference point for developing buildings and sites that are not only environmentally sound, but also continue to meet fire safety needs,” said NASFM president Alan Shuman. “This will provide a much-needed reference on issues...

DENVER—The Colorado Convention Center recently announced its certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB), awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The achievement makes the Colorado Convention Center the largest LEED certified building in the state and one of the three largest convention facilities to earn this designation in the United States. As part of the LEED process, the Colorado Convention Center made significant reductions in energy usage, as well as gains in the area of sustainable purchasing, green cleaning, building occupant comfort, improved air quality and waste diversion. The implementation of the USGBC...

AUSTELL, GA.—YKK AP America announced the “Building a Better Tomorrow, Today” YouTube video competition to encourage innovation while further advancing the green building industry. Interested participants can now submit videos showcasing their ideas for how America can enhance the built environment for generations to come, whether it’s through an energy-savings, green building or sustainability perspective. Submissions are encouraged from architects, designers, contractors, manufacturers, students and the general public, and can consist of a new or existing idea, design, product or project. Winners will be announced at GreenBuild in Chicago in November. To enter, participants can post their videos, which should...