As more consumers and designers increasingly prioritize wellness, biophilic design has become a driving force in furniture manufacturing, especially within hospitality spaces. Beyond simply adding greenery, biophilic design extends to the materials and textures and is reflected in the craftsmanship that collectively shapes a space holistically. Incorporating biophilic elements into furniture manufacturing involves utilizing responsibly sourced materials like reclaimed wood, embracing organic forms, and applying textured finishes. It’s imperative for brands to design biophilic furniture that connects to nature while minimizing environmental impact. A commitment to durable, recyclable materials ensures that sustainability is built into every piece—without compromising the client’s...

CHENNAI, INDIA—The Ceebros Hotels have always been committed to world-class hospitality while ensuring environmentally responsible operations. As part of this vision, they have undertaken the refurbishment of Pullman, Anna Salai with a strong focus on sustainability, integrating both active and passive energy-efficient measures. Their approach included smart air handling units, water-cooled chillers, an IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring system integrated with IBMS, optimal window glazing, DGU systems, and the use of sustainable interior materials. This major renovation retained nearly 100 percent of the existing structure, aligning with a commitment to responsible redevelopment. The company’s dedication to sustainability has been further reinforced...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced that reservations are now being accepted for 1 Hotel Melbourne, a landmark waterfront property set to debut in June 2025. This marks 1 Hotels’ highly anticipated entrance into the Australian market, bringing an award-winning blend of sustainable luxury and nature-inspired design to the heart of Melbourne, in collaboration with developer Riverlee. The centerpiece of this building is the heritage listed Goods Shed No. 5, the last of the unrenovated goods sheds in what was once Melbourne’s busiest port. The property will redefine luxury hospitality in the region...

ATLANTA—Interface, Inc., the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, announced it is incorporating captured carbon in its manufacturing processes as a key raw material to store more carbon and lower the carbon footprints of its carpet tile products. This aligns with the company’s “all in” commitment to be carbon negative by 2040, and to repurpose former carbon offset investments into projects that accelerate carbon reduction and carbon storage. As of today, Interface’s carpet tile manufacturing processes in the U.S. and Europe now use captured carbon. Customers now receive a lower carbon footprint carpet tile for their projects at...

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND—Treehouse Hotels—the nostalgia-fueled, free-spirited hospitality brand created by Barry Sternlicht, Founder and Chairman of Starwood Hotels—announced that Treehouse Hotel Manchester opened its doors on March 19. The second U.K. outpost of the Treehouse Hotels brand is a fresh addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene, designed to spark curiosity and joy at every turn and bring people together in unexpected ways. And the adventure doesn’t stop there. Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley—the brand’s first U.S. location—recently opened, bringing the total number of Treehouse properties from one to three. Treehouse Hotel Manchester Is Now Open Located in the heart of the city on the corner of Blackfriars Street...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium site furniture, structure, lighting, and accessories, has announced the launch of the 21 Lounge Chair, a new addition to its celebrated 21 line created in collaboration with Grand Rapids-based design studio, Modello USA. Building on the success of the original 21 Chair, the 21 Lounge Chair offers a new level of outdoor comfort and style, designed to invite relaxation while maintaining the modern elegance and versatile styling for which the line is known. Named for the roomy 21”-wide seat pan, the 21 Lounge Chair embodies the line’s “designed for anywhere...

Today’s design decisions for the hospitality industry, and the built environment generally, will have an impact on human health, ecosystem health, and planetary health for generations. So, it’s important that “cost” is appropriately defined and understood. This is made more complicated by a lack of published information (the majority of products used in the built environment do not fully disclose their contents and only a small minority of HPDs are prepared by an independent third party) and the prevalence of greenwashing. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or simply “vinyl”) is very familiar to many designers and has been for decades, so understandably,...

PENINSULA PAPAGAYO, COSTA RICA—Nestled within one of the world’s most biodiverse destinations, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has officially opened its doors, offering discerning travelers a secluded, ultra-luxury retreat amidst the unspoiled natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. Named after the Chorotega word for “lush garden,” Nekajui marks a monumental milestone as the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America and the eighth addition to the brand’s exclusive portfolio. Located on Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre canvas of dry tropical forest atop coastal cliffs, Nekajui’s collection of 107 thoughtfully designed ocean-facing rooms, suites, and three luxury treetop tents seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living while celebrating Costa...

NEW YORK—Designtex, a leading designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, introduces Plaster. The digitally printed, non-vinyl wallcovering is designed to capture the richness of dimensionally crafted surfaces alongside the organic essence of natural materials. Plaster strikes a harmonious balance between the look of hand-troweled plaster and the subtle textures of natural elements like bark and cork. Plaster blends artistry with Designtex’s manufacturing, delivering a versatile and timeless wallcovering solution for contemporary interiors. Its depth and texture are achieved through high-fidelity digital printing at the brand’s factory in Portland, Maine. Using a DNA substrate, which contains bio-based...

VIKEN, SWEDEN—Bjelin introduces a durable herringbone floor empowered by patented technologies, offering a modern take on a timeless classic. Woodura Herringbone 2.0 showcases larger panels, delivering three times the strength of traditional wood options, and is effortlessly installed with click technology. Bjelin’s hardened wood herringbone flooring features Woodura technology for improved impact resistance and the superior 5G floor locking solution for easy installation. Previously tested in Scandinavia, this product’s success has prompted an international rollout. “Woodura Herringbone 2.0 demonstrates our commitment to innovation and creativity,” said Fredrik Alfredsson, Bjelin’s Global Head of Sales. “Aesthetically, this is a design product combining traditional...