DALLAS—By reducing their carbon footprint 17 percent since 2018, leading tile company sister brands Daltile, Marazzi, and American Olean were key contributors to their parent company, Mohawk Industries, being named to USA Today’s recent “America’s Climate Leaders” list. This Daltile, Marazzi, and American Olean substantial reduction in carbon emissions is just one of many sustainability accomplishments the brands have achieved to date, providing their customers with tile that is not only attractive and durable, but sustainably and responsibly manufactured. “As a company, we create beautiful tile designs responsibly,” said Paij Thorn-Brooks, Vice President of Marketing, Dal-Tile LLC. “Under our brands’...

LONDON—1 Hotels, the nature-inspired luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces that its U.K. flagship and first European destination, located in the heart of London’s historic Mayfair, is now accepting reservations with an anticipated opening date of July 13, 2023. The nine-story sustainable sanctuary overlooks the stately trees and verdant lawns of Green Park, just steps away from the world-class galleries, sophisticated boutiques, first-class restaurants and renowned emporia of Bond Street, Berkeley Square and Piccadilly. 1 Hotel Mayfair consciously creates an unexpected fusion of sustainability and luxury in the fashionable heart of London’s most exclusive hospitality district. The...

CHICAGO—NeoCon announced the winners of the 33rd annual Best of NeoCon Awards. The program recognizes products from industry-leading companies that demonstrate unparalleled innovation and ​design-forward thinking. Selected by a distinguished jury of architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients, facility managers, and top business media, each of the entries was evaluated on-site in the days leading up to the show. A total of 114 awards were bestowed upon products in more than 50 categories for Gold, Silver, Sustainability, Innovation, Business Impact, and the coveted Best of Competition honors. This year, the Flote Lounge Collection from Hightower (Showroom 1110) received the distinction...

At last month’s HD Expo in Las Vegas, there were many companies that caught my attention. One was Vancouver, B.C.-based ChopValue. The company is diverting millions of wooden chopsticks from landfills by converting them into high-performance composite material. The material is manufactured using proprietary technology that compresses recycled bamboo chopsticks along with a water-based resin, making it harder than maple, stronger than oak, and as durable as teak. Tables, wall décor, coasters, cutting boards, and many other items can be made with the material. The chopsticks are picked up from local businesses and converted to useable products in micro...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Just days ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels at the Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory peaked at 424 parts per million in May, continuing a steady climb further into territory not seen for millions of years. (In 1960, levels were below 320 parts per million.) Such high levels of CO2 impact our planet negatively in many ways. Recognizing this impact, stakeholders throughout the lodging industry are taking steps to reduce their own contributions to CO2 levels. One such company is Crossville, Inc., a leading provider of porcelain stone, glass, and natural stone...

VIKEN, SWEDEN—Bjelin’s latest hardened wood range, featuring the new and award-winning matte finish, has been released in a Select grading. Earlier this year, the company launched new products with updated and improved colors, formats, and technologies. The clean and harmonious Select grading in the hardened oak range is the latest launch in the U.S. A grading, which refers to the variation in the floor’s appearance, is down to personal taste and a customer’s aesthetic preferences. The Select grading is an option for those seeking a harmonious and soothing atmosphere. It features some color variations and fewer whole knots. For modern...

IRVINE, CALIF.—Known for their award-winning textiles and wallcoverings, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering is advancing its commitment to providing the commercial design industry with smart, sustainable solutions through the introduction of Pindrop—a dedicated acoustics line featuring rigid solutions of all scales. The initial three collections launching within the Pindrop range include shapes and tiles, architectural layers, and larger scale panels, all of which are Red List Free and manufactured entirely of recycled PET. These hyper functional solutions offer designers and specifiers a new repertoire from Momentum to create calm, engaging and sound-conscious spaces across commercial, hospitality, workplace, and healthcare environments. While the brand...

SEATTLE—Urban Villages, a leading real estate developer and environmental steward, announced the summer 2024 opening of Hotel Westland, a carbon positive, adaptive reuse hotel in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. Construction recently began on the 120-room hotel to modernize the historic structure, giving it a second life and ensuring it lasts for generations to come. Operated by Aparium Hotel Group and architecturally designed by The Miller Hull Partnership with interiors by Curioso, the boutique lifestyle hotel will highlight historic character maintained from the building’s 1907 construction, modern guestrooms and amenities, Pioneer Square’s first rooftop bar, and a signature restaurant, fueled by an authentic connection to...

CALHOUN, GA.—Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest flooring manufacturer, has earned a place among America’s Climate Leaders presented by USA Today. Mohawk was the only flooring manufacturer among the businesses recognized for making the greatest reductions in their carbon footprint. “To be ranked as one of America’s Climate Leaders is a great honor and reflects the great work being accomplished by thousands of our associates across our global operations,” said Malisa Maynard, Mohawk’s Vice President of Sustainability. “We are continuing to identify new and innovative ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions while creating sustainable products that improve homes and public spaces...

NEW YORK—One of Manhattan’s most prominent luxury hotels—the 463 all-suite Conrad New York Downtown—keeps pushing the bar higher for sustainability leadership in the Big Apple. Since opening in 2012, the hotel has maintained its LEED Gold certification, implemented numerous water-, energy- and waste-saving initiatives, and it just recently became the first hotel in the city and one of the first in the U.S. to utilize Power Over Ethernet (PoE) technology. The Sinclair in Fort Worth, Texas also uses this technology. PoE is used at the Conrad New York Downtown to power LED lighting in the lobby, in the newly renovated...