ATLANTA—As ASHRAE, USGBC and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) move forward in developing the nation’s first standard for high-performance, green commercial buildings, membership on the committee developing the standard is being reconstituted. Proposed Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, will provide minimum requirements for the design of high-performance new commercial buildings and major renovation projects, addressing energy efficiency, a building’s impact on the atmosphere, sustainable sites, water use efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. It is being developed by ASHRAE, IESNA and USGBC. To better address the...

SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Hotel & Spa, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxury bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry for more than 25 years, introduced its exclusive new MicroCotton Green EarthTM towels to the spa market during the 2008 ISPA Conference & Expo. The conference was held earlier this month in Las Vegas. The MicroCotton Green Earth towel is engineered to maximize absorbency, durability and eco-conservation. They are made from super-fine, Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton; a variety of cotton known for its sustainable consumption and also recognized worldwide for its superior softness. Green Earth towels are...

BOSTON—LEED 2009, the long-awaited update to the internationally recognized LEED green building certification program, has passed member ballot, and will be introduced in 2009 as the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings. It includes a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental and human health outcomes. LEED 2009 will also incorporate highly anticipated regional credits, extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project’s given environmental zone. LEED has also undergone a scientifically grounded re-weighting of credits, changing allocation of points among...

BOSTON—The Turkish Towel Co. has introduced a new line of certified organic towels to help American hotels, spas and consumers opt for a more Earth-friendly option. In fact, two luxury boutique hotels opening in the spring have already placed orders to ensure their guests have plush towels that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Cotton uses approximately 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and, according to a recent study, is responsible for approximately 16 percent of global pesticides—more than any other crop. As consumers look for greener products, the hotel and spa industry will have to change...

SAN DIEGO—Constellation Property Group is introducing domus STAY; a bold alternative to the traditional hotel and extended stay experience. The first property; domus@STELLA, will open in San Diego in early 2009. The Stella blueprint is stamped by Marchese + Partners International, a fresh class of designer born out of Australian lifestyle. Designed as a contemporary urban chic project, Stella consists of two low-rise linear buildings containing 84 modern and minimalistic one- and two-bedroom units. The building facades are framed in clean lines and are regularly broken with warm timber screens and large expanses of glazing, creating an appeal of functionality...

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems for the international lodging industry, has enhanced the functionality of its newest solution—a design-centric energy management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The complete Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat, Switch and Tabletop Controller set are on display in booth 3232 at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. “Since the initial launch of the INNCOM Glass Series in June, we have enhanced this ‘green’ solution to be even more interactive for guests and energy-efficient for hotels,” said INNCOM...

SAN DIEGO—Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide, leading suppliers of soft goods to the hospitality industry, have established a partnership with Lenzing Fibers, Inc. to develop eco-friendly bedding, drapery, bath and spa products for hotel and resort properties. Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide have offered products made from organic cotton, bamboo, recycled and recyclable polyester for some time, but will now make available items made from Lenzing’s Modal and TENCEL fibers, which are 100 percent natural and biodegradable. Both TENCEL and Lenzing Modal are derived from wood pulp cellulose extracted from trees harvested from sustainable forests. The Lenzing partnership demonstrates Koni...

NEW YORK—Five exhibitors in five green categories were honored with Editors’ Choice Awards during the Opening Ceremonies of the 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), Sunday, November 9, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The awards program recognizes best new products within the categories of décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology. The first day of the IH/M&RS was also highlighted by a keynote presentation on “Sustainability” by Christine Ervin, former president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and president of Christine Ervin/Company. The 2008 IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award winners in the five...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Member balloting for LEED 2009 is underway, marking the U.S. Green Building Council’s final step in this latest evolution of the LEED green building certification system. Member approval is the final stage of the process used to develop, test, evaluate, revise and publish all LEED rating systems. Member ballotting opened on October 14 and will close November 14, 2008, at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. LEED 2009 represents an important major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings, and includes a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing...

ADELPHI, MD.—More than three years after earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification—it was the first hotel in the United States to do so—Marriott’s University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center (UMUC ICC) is continuing its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment. The property, which includes 237 guestrooms and 11 suites, has recently stepped up its recycling efforts and has pledged to pursue Green Seal certification to ensure its continuous commitment to operational improvements. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, which manages the LEED program, UMUC ICC earned LEED certification for its 127-guestroom,...