DALTON, GA.—Displayed in new architectural folders, Tandus Centiva introduces two new styles, Substrate and NuGrain, expanding the company’s luxury vinyl tile products in the marketplace.Substrate is an intuitive new material for the floor plane developed by Suzanne Tick and Terry Mowers with the Japanese concept of finding singular beauty in the transient nature of pared down objects. As a luxury vinyl tile, Substrate brings the look of textile scrim to the floor in an enduring format with the look of irregular fluidity and modest imperfection. With a 32 mil wear layer and deep embossing technique, Substrate has a similar...

LOS ANGELES—The city of Wiesbaden in southwest Germany is the starting point for a visit to the Rheingau region that runs 38 kilometers along the Rhine River between the cities of Wiesbaden and Lochhausen. The area is internationally renowned for its wine production and mild climate and the city of Wiesbaden is famous for its numerous hot springs that have attracted visitors since Roman times. This historic city is also renowned for its architectural sites and now hosts its first Green Globe certified hotel.Crowne Plaza Wiesbaden joins more than 70 other Green Globe certified hotels and congress centers in...

ATLANTA—In recognition of the changing role of HVAC&R since it was first published 20 years ago, ASHRAE’s HVAC&R Research has a new title, an expanded scope and an updated look. Beginning in January 2015, the journal will be known as Science and Technology for the Built Environment. All manuscripts in process now will be published in the journal under its new name.“This new name reflects its expanded scope, which includes papers in many areas of science and technology for the built environment,” Reinhard Radermacher, Journal editor, said. “In addition to traditional areas of research in HVAC&R, the Journal’s papers...

SPOKANE, WASH.—Ecova, the total energy and sustainability management company, released a report with the results of its second annual survey, 2015 Energy and Sustainability Predictions: Findings from Leading Professionals. The report aggregates findings from a survey of more than 500 energy, facility, finance and sustainability professionals at U.S.-based companies and reveals an important shift in the way companies are approaching and viewing energy and sustainability management.As energy and sustainability management become more complex and essential to operations, professionals are increasingly focusing on the bigger picture. While cost savings is still the number one driver of energy and sustainability management...

HIGHLAND, N.Y.—Zumtobel, a leading international supplier of architectural lighting solutions, announces that it has upgraded the downlight and wallwash products within its BASYS LED II product line to better meet the strict energy requirements that currently are in place. The improvements also are well-suited to meet future guidelines.“Through optical enhancements, we were able to increase the efficacy of the renovated BASYS LED II product line by up to 30 percent, which provides substantial cost and use benefits to our customers,” said North American CEO Kevin Maddy.Zumtobel downlights smoothly blend into the architectural design, providing subtle illumination from the ceiling....

DELANCO, N.J.—Stylex announced that its current seating portfolio has attained BIFMA level certification. A transparent, multi-attribute third-party certification program for the furniture industry, level is similar in intention to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification for the building industry.Stylex President John Golden explains, “We’re proud to have attained level certification. It speaks to the rigorous environmental and social standards we aspire to, and we’re excited to offer our customers proof of our commitment in this area.”BIFMA’s level was designed to communicate the environmental and social impacts of furniture products in the built environment across many attributes and has...

POMPANO BEACH, FLA.—Bust Out Products’ new drink coasters Magic Mug Rugs are making a huge impact when it comes to driving down contaminated paper product waste and driving up profits for the beverage and hospitality industries.Magic Mug Rugs is the invention of Mike Meier, a third generation restaurant and bar owner. His 40-year quest to eliminate contaminated bar napkins and pulp-board coasters in his own establishments drove him to create and patent the first totally reusable custom drink coaster. “My colorful Magic Mug Rugs are custom printed, super absorbent, dishwasher safe and completely reusable,” Meier said. “Paper waste accounts...

VIENNA, AUSTRIA—The original pioneers of natural swimming pools, BIOTOP Landschaftsgestaltung GmbH, headquartered in Austria, has seen an increase in requests from the hotel and tourism industry for chemical-free natural swimming pools, to provide the ultimate luxury and sustainable guest attraction.Most guests visiting luxury hotels expect to find a swimming pool, but the health risks, high maintenance costs and environmental impact of chlorinated swimming pools has led to many green hotels seeking out a natural alternative. Natural swimming pools are filtered purely by plants and environmentally friendly pumps without the use of any harmful chemicals. Natural pools also look beautiful...

NEW WINDSOR, N.Y.—Long days spent beneath cool electric light and a pervasive addiction to smart devices that often lasts into late nights is throwing off circadian rhythms, disrupting sleep/wake cycles and preventing people from performing at their best. Now more than ever, people need greater awareness about—and control over—the lighting they take for granted. Driven to find a solution to these issues, USAI Lighting has developed Color Select, proprietary technology that shatters the boundaries of LED potential and is the first architectural LED downlighting fixture offering independent control of both color temperature and intensity. USAI’s Color Select brings personalized...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Polly Products as a Founding Sponsor. Polly Products is a maker of outdoor furniture items including benches, picnic tables, bike racks, trash containers, planters and other items. The main ingredient in the material used is recycled plastic (milk jugs and white buckets).Polly Products begins the molding process by purchasing 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic material. Colorants and UV stabilizers are added to protect the finished products from the sun. For every pound the product weighs, Polly Products uses approximately eight gallon milk jugs. It takes about 3,200...