JASPER, IND.—Indiana Furniture announced they will begin taking orders for enhancements to the already popular Isla lounge series. These additions provide enhanced flexibility and functionality to better accommodate today’s ever-changing spaces. Some of the enhancements include: Swivel Club Chairs—Isla’s armless Club Chair has been enhanced with a polished aluminum 360-degree swivel base that features an auto-return mechanism. It perfectly pairs with existing lounge options or can easily make a statement on its own. Angled Settees—Isla’s new Angled Settees keep the conversations flowing and offer even more flexibility for freestanding or ganging applications. Users can easily gather to chat and work...

NEW YORK, N.Y.—1 Hotels, the mission-driven, sustainably focused luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced plans to add a new sanctuary to its global portfolio of premier properties. With properties in New York City (Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park), West Hollywood, Sanya (China), South Beach, Nashville, Toronto, and San Francisco, 1 Hotel Austin is the brand’s entry point into the fast-growing Texas marketplace. The property is being developed in partnership with Lincoln Property Company and Kairoi Residential. 1 Hotel Austin will be an integral component of an innovative mixed-use hotel, residential and retail project currently under construction at the...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has been recognized as a Forbes Best-In-State Employer for Georgia 2022. The company has been named to this prestigious list since the list’s inception. This year, Shaw was ranked 28th, a testament to the company’s continued commitment to excellence for its associates. “Each day more than 20,000 talented Shaw associates come together to create a better future for our people, the communities we are connected to and the customers that we serve,” says Torrance Ford, Vice President of Talent Management. “They are the key to our continued success, and we are so appreciative of all that...

DELANCO, N.J.—Timed at an inflection point for the design of commercial spaces, contract furnishings expert Stylex teamed up with designer Mark Kapka to expand the Verve Seating Collection. Marrying ergonomics with a comfortable and relaxed iconic aesthetic, the new Verve Bucket family of task and guest chairs offer a refreshing and versatile solution for the casual office, hospitality, and clinical environments. Characterized by its sculpted shell and enveloping shape, Verve Bucket was designed with special consideration for human factors, flexibility, and comfort. Approachable yet chic, its angled back and rolled-down arms recall the elegance of a lounge chair, while its polypropylene shell gently wraps...

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...