BUFFALO GROVE, ILL.—Profitability of America’s corporations will be closely tied to proactive sustainability practices and green building principles, according to findings from the new McGraw-Hill Construction (part of The McGraw-Hill Companies) SmartMarket Report: Greening of Corporate America commissioned by Siemens Building Technologies Inc. and Siemens USA. The study shows that most U.S. corporate leaders are interested in sustainability, with the majority looking at proactive ways to make it a consistent part of their mission. According to the study’s findings, 18 percent of responding corporate leaders are in the upper—or market transformational stages—with 15 percent viewing sustainability as a...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that it will commit $1 million to green building research. These funds will be targeted at increasing research in areas such as energy and water security; global climate change prevention; indoor environmental quality; and passive survivability in the face of natural and man-made disasters. “Our pledge to invest $1 million in research is a reflection of USGBC’s commitment to its vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC. “The industry needs to take giant steps forward in construction,...

SEATTLE—Impex Development LLC and Whirlpool Corp. have formed a marketing partnership to provide distinctive and sustainable interiors based on realistic price points for the hospitality industry. The partnership will incorporate energy-efficient appliances from Whirlpool Corp. within Impex’s manufacture of eco-friendly kitchens, baths and architectural door systems. “Both companies are passionate about making it easier for hospitality and multifamily professionals to create exceptional, eco-friendly environments,” says Jeff Smitley, LEED AP, president of Energy & Environmental Solutions. “Interiors from Impex help contribute points toward the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system and the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rating...

SEATTLE—AvStar Seattle LLC, a joint-venture partnership between Portland, Ore.-based Avalon Holdings and international real estate development firm Starwood Capital Group Global LLC, has broken ground on 1 Hotel & Residences, its 23-story, mixed-use development at Second Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Seattle. Upon its completion, expected by the second quarter of 2009, the building is expected to become the inaugural property under the 1 brand, which will set a new standard in environmentally conscious luxury living globally by combining extraordinary five-star service and features with the best of environmentally sustainable architecture and interior design. The majority of the Seattle hotel’s...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken & Co. has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Magazine, a national publication dedicated to illuminating the important correlation between ethics and profit. “Milliken’s strong culture of business values and community values has evolved over 140 years of doing the right things the right way,” says Ashley Allen, CEO of Milliken & Co. “This is indeed an honor for every person in our company. Our long-standing philosophy of making money with people, not out of them, continues to benefit our associates, our customers, and the communities in which we operate.”...

DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.—Roos International has introduced its Yahgi Natural Grasscloth Wallcovering that is specifically designed for the contract market. The collection name Yahgi is derived from an ancient Chinese tradition meaning “elegant gathering,” which was an informal debate with art rather than words. This new artfully inspired, elegant gathering of grasscloths include: silk screen prints on sisal; hand dyed jutes; and natural weaves in an artistic presentation of various silks, paperweaves, sisals, jutes, textiles, burlaps, woven jutes, reed jutes, and metallic sisals. Given that designers are always on the lookout for sophisticated and original decorative elements, and...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Empire West Inc., the maker of Ceilume Smart Ceiling Tiles & Ceiling Panels, as a Green Product Directory partner. For over 50 years, Ceilume ceiling tiles have been used in homes and businesses around the globe. Empire West recognizes that preserving natural resources by minimizing adverse environmental impacts is vital, and it is committed to providing all of its customers with high quality, environmentally friendly products. Go to Empire West Inc. or call (800) 521-4261 for more information.

Green Lodging News commends Wen-I Chang and his company, Atman Hospitality Group Inc., for obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa in American Canyon, Calif. The property is the first in the United States to reach the LEED Gold level. For those of you not familiar with LEED, certification levels include Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. USGBC established a points-based system for LEED. To obtain Gold, a property must achieve from 39 to 51 points for sustainable steps taken in...

NATIONAL REPORT—“Leading the hospitality industry in promoting education, inter-cooperation, and endorsed policies for environmentally responsible practices, construction methods, materials and environments.” That is the mission of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality’s Sustainability Committee. Formed last year, the committee currently includes 11 members representing design, architecture, purchasing, manufacturing, and hotel asset management. “Two years ago, NEWH recognized the need to get involved in sustainability,” says Jillian Van Dresser, principal, The Van Dresser Co. in Atlanta and the committee’s sustainability adviser. “We identified several initiatives, the first of which is a Resource Directory.” Now available on the...

NATIONAL REPORT—State-of-the-art concrete building systems can save a hotel owner money through energy savings. But equally important, concrete systems can provide hotel guests with a comfortable, healthy, environmentally friendly place to relax during their time away from home. Concrete can provide a sustainable structure that will maintain its durability, energy savings and beauty for the full life of the building. Hotels built with concrete wall, floor and roof systems that incorporate rigid foam insulation with concrete, have optimal energy performance because of their inherent thermal mass properties. Thermal mass has the ability to store heat during the hottest periods of...