LA GRANGE, GA.—The Resilient Floor Covering Institute and SCS Global Services announce a new program to ensure the continued growth and popularity of Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) marketed and sold in North America. The program is called ASSURE CERTIFIED. “As part of our mission to support the interest of resilient flooring, RFCI and member manufacturers determined there was an urgent need to establish industry-wide standards for Rigid Core LVT quality, no matter where it’s made,” explained Dean Thompson, President and CEO of RFCI. Rigid Core LVT is the fastest growing resilient flooring category. It has evolved quickly from an...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—In the hospitality industry, sustainability in all areas of design is essential. From the drapery to upholstery and even the bedding, nearly everything in the room can be made from plastic bottles otherwise destined for a landfill or a water source. At Valley Forge Fabrics, being able to ensure the durability and performance needs of these textiles while also creating them from a source like plastic bottles, is a big win. It’s no secret that plastic bottles are forever, so being able to use them as a fiber that’s woven into upholstery fabrics is vital to Valley...

MONTREAL—Verdant has entered the New Year with yet another top honor. In December 2019, the provider of energy management solutions for commercial buildings was awarded the GOOD DESIGN 2019 award in the Building Products category for its Verdant ZX thermostat. The tribute, which recognizes products with cutting-edge design and innovation around the world, was bestowed by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd. Since 1950, the Good Design program has rewarded pioneering design from the likes of 3M Company, Apple Computer Inc., Coca-Cola Co., General Electric Co., LG Electronics Inc., Microsoft Corp., Samsung...

BANGKOK—Yee Pin Tan has joined Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas as head of design. In this capacity, Pin will support and lead all creative teams responsible for project design, branding, marketing, sustainability, spa and wellness and information technology. Pin’s new role covers all design-related areas that support the global expansion of Six Senses. She will also ensure overall consistency in implementing the brand’s vision and alignment to corporate goals, quality of messaging and design concepts. Bringing more than 26 years of experience in hospitality design, Pin has worked alongside industry greats such as Ed Tuttle in Paris, where her talents were...

ADAIRSVILLE, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw) has achieved the USGBC’s LEED Silver designation for its carpet tile manufacturing and recycling facility in Adairsville, Ga. (known as T1). LEED is recognized globally as the premier mark of achievement in green building. Five green design categories are considered for certification: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. The $85 million facility, which became operational in the fourth quarter of 2016, currently employs more than 300 associates and is undergoing a $20 million expansion. The facility construction and installation of new equipment is expected to be completed...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, marking Hyatt’s first full-service hotel in the city of Portland, Ore. and the city’s first convention center hotel. Built by a leading Portland-based developer, Mortenson, in partnership with ESG Architects, the hotel is proud to have achieved Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, signifying its focus on energy and efficiencies while utilizing the most modern environmental design. Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint to lessen the environmental strain on local and regional...

MALE, MALDIVES—Emerald Collection announced that Emerald Maldives Resort & SPA has opened. Unusual to any private island, Emerald Maldives houses a wraparound reef which means guests are never more than a few footsteps away from an encounter with exotic fish, turtles or manta rays. The 120-villa resort is located on the Raa Atoll, renowned for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world and boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives. “With Emerald Maldives Resort & SPA, we wanted to create a sanctuary for guests who wish to escape the pressures and stress of modern-day...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—Lucky Shepherd announces the launch of its Shepherd Eco sustainable hospitality brand with a flagship location in Wynwood, Miami. The project, developed by Shepherd Atma and Hoar Program Management (HPM), with Touzet Studio as architect and Gensler as interior design, is slated to open late 2022. The Shepherd Eco brand finds its roots in the deeply intertwined concepts of sustainability and humanity—the dual heartbeats that drive these Eco-systems—thriving, dynamic communities weaving residents, guests, locals, and nature into a rich, fulfilling experience. Eco’s sustainability ethos is honored through strategies for reducing plastic and water usage, and resiliency elements are located where they can be...

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.—Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc., the world’s leader in fully integrated, highly engineered acrylic solutions, announced that it manufactured, supplied and installed a cylindrical aquarium for Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel’s nearly 50-foot aquarium. The large water feature is prominently displayed in the grand lobby as a central design element filled with nearly 2,000 aquatic animals of varying species. “It’s been a true pleasure to see our highly engineered acrylic come to life in the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel,“ said Mark Johnson, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. “With each project Reynolds is selected for,...

JASPER, IND.—Indiana Furniture began taking orders on the new KickStart Lounge, a modern collection designed to address a wide range of applications for social workplaces and community spaces. KickStart’s flexible lounge and table offerings combine with collaborative elements to create inviting spaces for people to gather, work, re-energize, and learn. The collection’s classic forms and refined scale are enhanced through precise details, tailored upholstery available with contrasting fabrics, and a horizontal stitch detail. Two back styles, with or without a pillow, combine with upholstery options to create a versatile aesthetic ranging from casual to sophisticated. Freestanding and modular pieces allow...