ATLANTA—Interface, Inc., a worldwide commercial flooring company and global leader in sustainability, introduces the world’s first carbon negative carpet tile.* To achieve this milestone, Interface has transformed key manufacturing facilities and incorporated new materials to create its new CQuest backings line, which includes a new carpet backing that stores more carbon than any before. One of these new backings—CQuestBioX—combined with specialty yarns and proprietary tufting processes, results in a carbon negative carpet tile when measured cradle to gate. This means that after it is made, there is less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than if the tile had not been manufactured...

DALTON, GA.—Zeftron Nylon, a premium nylon 6 solution-dyed yarn system for commercial carpets, and Bloomsburg Carpet, a maker of highly styled and superior woven broadloom carpet, are introducing Amulet. Designed to convey warmth and comfort, the sophisticated carpet is a well-appointed solution for corporate interior spaces and high-end hospitality environments. Informed by the inherent qualities that embody textiles with lush volume and texture, Amulet’s design is translated through the sophisticated styling structure of Zeftron’s perfectly calibrated solution-dyed yarns. Bold placement of cut and uncut surface provides areas of open space bound tightly together as one form. Woven on Bloomsburg’s double...

WILMINGTON, DEL.—DuPont introduced its Tedlar Wallcoverings Color Theory Collection. The new “Chromatic I” series allows designers to combine six new embossing patterns with a spectrum of 70 different color choices.  Whether designers are looking for warm hues, cool tones, or any shade in between, the stain resistance, ease of cleaning, and broad chemical compatibility of Tedlar Wallcoverings ensures style that will endure. “The Color Theory Collection puts even more creative control in the hands of designers,” said Fallyn Flaherty-Earp, Global Marketing Manager, DuPont Tedlar Advanced Materials. “We always want to enable creative flexibility, without sacrificing the extreme durability of and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As all industries tackle the ongoing effects of COVID-19, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has sought to understand the resiliency of the design industry and profession through times of uncertainty. The 2020 ASID Interior Design Resiliency Report has released the results from its first phase, conducted during the summer of 2020 in partnership with Cosentino, Benjamin Moore and Emerald to further investigate interior design resilience by examining the impact of the pandemic, the response from the interior design community and the changes necessary in design to move forward. “In their day-to-day work, design professionals are creative problem-solvers...

CALHOUN, GA.—Mohawk Industries has been recognized as a finalist in Fast Company magazine’s 2020 Innovation by Design Awards in the sustainability category. The flooring manufacturer was honored for Continuum, its patented process that recycles plastic bottles and transforms them into sustainable carpet fibers. Mohawk joins other high-profile category finalists including Google, Nike, Perkins+Will, Procter & Gamble and the competition’s ultimate first-prize winner, Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, the visionaries behind Powerhouse Brattørkaia—an office building that creates twice as much energy as it uses. Mohawk and Continuum were also honored earlier this year with the Best of Surfaces Award in sustainability, and most recently...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—S2A Modular—creator of the first electrically self-sustaining, custom and smart-connected GreenLux luxury residences and commercial buildings—has begun construction on its Northern California MegaFactory in the Stanislas County city of Patterson. The MegaFactory is being constructed on an aggressive timeline and is expected to be fully operational within the first quarter of 2021. Once complete, the sprawling complex will feature approximately 13 different buildings totaling 240,000 square feet of modular construction workspace, a sales center, model homes and building material production facilities. The Patterson MegaFactory, which is the first of 35 MegaFactories being built throughout the United States, is...

NATIONAL REPORT—“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it”—Robert Swan As a whole, the construction industry is aiming to be more environmentally friendly and one of the ways they are doing this is by utilizing polyurethane. We will be diving into how polyurethane is used by commercial warehouse construction companies, along with why and how it is environmentally friendly. In the majority of cases, polyurethane can replace the use of rubber, silicone, and plastic. Numerous companies have removed the use of plastic in their processes and products as much as possible. Why is polyurethane the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) have outlined an expanded suite of programs and resources focused on improving building and community resilience in the face of climate risks. While governments and businesses focus on economic recovery, more frequent and severe climate events threaten to interrupt progress. Green building helps companies and communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of these growing climate concerns. “Green buildings are the first step to creating more resilient businesses and communities while also supporting economic development and growth,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of USGBC and GBCI....

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA—JO&JOE, a hybrid hospitality brand part of the worldwide Accor Group, announced its arrival in Colombia for the first time with the construction of a new Open House concept in the city of Medellín. JO&JOE is a shared accommodation experience belonging to Accor’s portfolio of economy and lifestyle brands and is aimed at a broad international community of global explorers with a special focus on engaging millennials and the millennial minded. Offering more of a lifestyle experience than a standard hostel, while remaining uniquely different than traditional hotels, JO&JOE is perfect for groups of friends, solo travelers or...

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FLA.—Benchmark Contract Furniture, a leading provider of furniture and design solutions for public spaces, introduces a new collection of contemporary, flexible furniture and accessories. The Monarch Collection—designed as cohesive solutions for public spaces—includes seating, tables and receptacles that can be mixed and matched in a variety of finishes and colors, adaptable to both indoor and outdoor environments. The Monarch Collection includes flexible furniture pieces that strike the perfect balance between rational design and bold presence. Geometric shapes meld with modern curves for pieces with a sculptural soul and playful personality. Manufactured in North America using 100 percent aluminum,...