DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. announced that Vice President of Global Sustainability and Innovation Kellie Ballew has been named a finalist for the Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards 2022 in the Sustainability Trailblazer category. The award will go to an outstanding business leader that has demonstrated inspiring, motivational, and passionate leadership to their team, company, or sector, and has a clear commitment to long-term impacts. Ballew has ample examples of driving innovation, manufacturing excellence and collaboration throughout her 25-year career at Shaw. Sentiments shared by Shaw President & CEO Tim Baucom highlight the impact of her strategic influence within Shaw...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa, which debuted in February of this year, announced its collaboration with MindClick, a Product Intelligence company that rates the environmental and social impact of manufacturers and their products. In support of carbon reduction, the heath of people and the planet, Highgate—which manages the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa—worked closely with MindClick to carefully select products for the hotel. During the hotel’s $70-million-dollar reimagination, this partnership dramatically improved the project’s environmental impact while also supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the supply chain. “From the very beginning of this milestone renovation located in the heart of San Francisco, we...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms, North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-design site furniture, structure, LED lighting, and accessories, joins long-time partner Urbidermis Santa & Cole to introduce Gunnar, an adaptable architectural lighting system that enhances outdoor environments with precise, context-specific illumination and cohesive, minimalist aesthetics. “The power of Gunnar is the framework it creates to make it your own,” describes Landscape Forms Senior Designer, Brian Revoir. “The system builds out from one simple and elegant luminaire a range of mounting styles and applications to specifically suit your environment and your aesthetic.” Designed by master multidisciplinary artist Antoni Roselló, Gunnar is inspired...

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA—Fairfield by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 brands, announced the opening of Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela, celebrating the brand’s debut in Costa Rica. Located in the Alajuela province and inspired by the beauty of simplicity, the 120-room hotel delivers an inviting and seamless experience, positioned to become the destination of choice for travelers to the greater metropolitan area of Costa Rica. Fairfield by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela has opened its doors as a LEED Gold certified hotel, awarded for functioning as a green building that’s ecofriendly and enhances community quality of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council announced nearly 100 net zero certifications earned under the LEED Zero program, representing more than 23 million square feet of space. One-fourth of LEED Zero projects earned multiple certifications, demonstrating achievement of net zero goals in several categories. A complement to LEED certification, LEED Zero provides a clear, data-driven path to recognizing net-zero goals and signals market leadership in the built environment. In 2018, the first year LEED Zero was released, certifications were earned in every category, with one project earning certification in all four categories. “Operating our buildings at net zero, combined with a...

Two recent initiatives announced by the White House will help spur additional energy efficiency and decarbonization upgrades in new and existing buildings. President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to expand domestic manufacturing of a number of critical clean energy technologies, including heat pumps and building insulation. The White House also recently debuted its National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, which will bring together federal agencies to help lower energy costs for families, while making homes and buildings more resilient against the effects of severe weather. Taken together, these policies are a great start toward strengthening the market for important clean energy technologies such as heat...

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO—AMATTE Wellnest Community is the newest lodging proposal in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. With a design that incorporates the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, or acceptance of imperfections, each of the spaces in this “nest” was created with how guests will experience it in mind, from the timeless beauty of its architecture to daring corners that fill common areas with sensuality and the comfortable guestrooms. The purpose of the property is to transmit a state of well-being to guests from the moment of their arrival. The facilities have an intrinsic sense of sustainability, being built under the...

NEW YORK—Selina, the fast-growing lifestyle and experiential hospitality brand targeting millennial and Gen Z travelers, has opened Selina Union Market in Washington, D.C.’s blossoming Union Market neighborhood. The hotel—the seventh for Selina in the U.S.—expands Selina’s global portfolio to over 155 open and secured properties. Designed for digital nomads and modern travelers, Selina offers guests alternative ways to stay, play and work at their unique destinations around the world. Selina Union Market is the brand’s signature U.S. property, featuring all the unique elements and offerings that make Selina one of today’s most dynamic and forward-thinking hospitality brands. A collaborative space...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—1 Hotels, the sustainable luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced the opening of 1 Hotel Nashville, the famed musical and cultural hub’s most consciously cultivated urban oasis and the 8th hotel in the global fleet. Nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville, directly across from the Music City Center and within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the property’s 215 rooms and 37 suites include expansive city and skyline views. A verdant ivy-covered façade and native landscaping evoke nearby natural attractions, from the bustle of the Cumberland River to the Smoky Mountains and the Natchez Trace. “With the...

CALHOUN, GA.—Mannington Commercial introduces the Amtico Signature Xpress collection, a limited selection of the complete Amtico Signature LVT collection specifically curated to meet projects with tight timelines. These high-quality products, known for their expressive designs and performance, can be shipped in days. “We curated this selection to ensure commercial designers can create stunning designs that will still be ready on a tight deadline,” said Roby Isaac, Mannington Commercial’s Vice President of Commercial Design. “Just because a timeline is abbreviated doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice style and beauty or stifle your creativity.” Amtico's designs innovatively combine texture, color, and pattern to...