SAN DIEGO—Kirei, a provider of sustainable acoustic design materials, introduces Henge Panel. A part of Carnegie Acoustic Solutions’ new Mezzo Collection, Henge Panel embodies a harmonious blend of sound control and aesthetic refinement. The Mezzo Collection empowers designers to create interior environments that are both functionally sound and artfully composed. Inspired by the lyrical motion of sheet music, Kirei Henge is a fully unique acoustic wall solution that brings dimensional rhythm to interior spaces. Its construction of 12mm recycled PET with a Class A fire rating features elegantly raised, repeated forms that play with light and shadow to create a visually dynamic, tactile...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, an award-winning arts hotel owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, recently announced Megan Woodard Johnson, a mixed-media abstract artist from West Bend, Wis., as its newest Artist in Residence. The year-long residency program for Midwest-based artists provides working space in the hotel’s studio, allowing artists to continue creating while also interacting with hotel guests. Johnson is Saint Kate’s third Artist in Residence. “Saint Kate is known for creating unique connections with everyone who visits,” said Linda Marcus, one of Saint Kate’s visionaries and a nationally recognized multidisciplinary artist, designer, and storyteller. “By selecting Megan as...

WESTHAMPTON, N.Y.—Set to offer a fresh take on luxury hospitality in the Hamptons, Three Ducks will open its doors in summer 2025. The hotel is a collaboration and debut property for designer-developers Randall Stone and Elizabeth Bakhash of Three Ducks Hospitality, a hospitality brand focused on creating design-forward properties that celebrate the locale. Stone and Bakhash first met while working at a New York brand and experience agency, where they discovered a shared passion for redefining hospitality through curated guest experiences. A much-needed addition to the vibrant and newly revitalized Westhampton Beach, Three Ducks is a thoughtful redevelopment of the...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—For almost a quarter of a century, Excel Hand Dryer Inc. has been producing XLERATOR Hand Dryers—a game changer in the hand drying space that dries hands completely in 10 seconds while using 80 percent less energy than conventional hand dryers. Excel Hand Dryer Executive Vice President and COO William Gagnon said there are now approximately one million XLERATOR Hand Dryers in use around the globe. “We just put 1,000 XLERATOR Hand Dryers in the largest airport in the world in Turkey,” Gagnon says. XLERATOR Hand Dryers can help facility managers save thousands of dollars annually by eliminating the...

GREEN BAY, WIS.—Pallas Textiles unveiled a new sustainability-focused landing page that brings clarity, transparency, and accessibility to the brand’s long-standing environmental initiatives. The updated web experience serves as a central resource for designers, specifiers, and industry partners—providing an efficient way to explore sustainable materials, processes, and partnerships that align with project goals. The new page outlines key focus areas such as the use of recycled and upcycled fibers, responsible sourcing practices, reduced-waste packaging, and collaborations with like-minded organizations. It also introduces a deeper look into Pallas’ partnerships with Material Bank and the SEAQUAL Initiative—efforts that actively contribute to waste reduction and...

The annual HD Expo + Conference will be held this coming week from May 6 to 8 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand, 86 of which have indicated their products will have a sustainability focus (Air Purification Systems, Building Materials, Energy Efficiency, Green Products, Recycled Materials, Water Conservation). The educational sessions will include: Trends in Wellness: Where We Are Today, May 6, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. New Life: Case Studies in Renovation + Adaptive Reuse, May 6, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rethinking the Norm: Socially Sustainable Hotels, May 6, 4 p.m....

DULUTH, MINN.—As part of its ongoing commitment to preserve the environment and foster appreciation for the outdoors, Duluth-based Loll Designs presented its latest donation to Chester Bowl Improvement Club, marking a milestone $100,000 in donations over the past five years to the beloved local park through Loll’s 1% for the Planet partnership. “We believe it is important to give back to our community and our planet,” said Eric Swanson, CEO of Loll Designs. “This year we are proud to once again support Chester Bowl Improvement Club’s programs for the Duluth community to appreciate and engage with nature in a healthy...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched LEED v5, the latest version of its flagship LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building program. LEED v5 builds on the 25-year legacy and global impact of LEED, updating and strengthening the most widely recognized, influential sustainability standard for the building industry while providing user-friendly tools for building owners and teams to pursue certification through enhanced technology updates. “Since its public launch 25 years ago, LEED has profoundly impacted millions of people in cities and communities around the world,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC. “LEED v5 raises the bar, further defining and...

DALTON, GA.—J+J Flooring has added a product category to their repertoire with the Positive Impact collection—the company’s first bio-based resilient offering. Manufactured largely from plant-based oils such as canola or castor and naturally occurring mineral components such as chalk (an ideal filler), Positive Impact is likely to leave a lasting influence on design not seen since the launch of Kinetex. Similar to the release of Kinetex (also PVC-free and another sustainable option, made with 45 percent post-consumer recycled content) back in 2013, new sets of testing and production standards needed to be developed for this heterogeneous commercial-rated polyurethane collection. When it...

NATIONAL REPORT—As a hotel owner or resort operator, you have opportunities to make a welcoming environment for your guests while contributing to a healthier planet. One effective way to achieve both is by repurposing materials within your establishment. This approach can save costs and enhance guest comfort. Plus, it can improve your property’s aesthetics and bolster your reputation as an eco-conscious business. Here are practical ideas for repurposing materials for comfort and sustainability. Get started and make the most of the benefits behind these sustainable shifts. Upcycled Furniture for Unique Aesthetics Transform guestrooms and communal areas by incorporating upcycled furniture. For instance, reimagine old suitcases into storage chests. Also, try repurposing any reclaimed wood...