GLEN RAVEN, N.C.—Glen Raven Custom Fabrics announced that two of its new Sunbrella Contract fabrics—a filling-face twill and plain-weave canvas—have attained Silver level compliance with the NSF/ANSI 336-2011 Sustainable Assessment for Commercial Furnishings Fabrics. The company is the first to declare compliance under the standard, which was adopted by the Association of Contract Textiles (ACT) in 2011 to provide the industry with a universal measurement and language for sustainability. “Glen Raven was active in the development of the NSF/ANSI 336 standard and has been committed to designing fabrics that would be compliant well before the standard was finalized,” said John...

ATLANTA—Design firm Perkins+Will announced that its Atlanta office earned LEED Platinum with 95 points awarded, the most of any project in the Northern Hemisphere to date under the 2009 version of LEED for New Construction. “Perkins+Will has designed a showpiece building,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “1315 Peachtree Street exemplifies the kind of environmentally sustainable measures that can be taken during a building retrofit. It has earned its high LEED score and will continue to pay dividends through energy saving measures for decades to come.” The office building, originally constructed in...

MUKILTEO, WASH.—Believe it or not, the first official recorded incident of “sick building syndrome” occurred at the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1988. This ironic turn of events happened shortly after new carpeting was installed in the facility. Health experts believed that the newly installed carpeting was probably releasing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing illness among the agency’s staff. Although there have been many advances, carpet installation can still pose a risk to human health more than 20 years after that incident. And as spring approaches, many facility managers face two choices when...

LOUISVILLE, COLO.—Unearthed Paints, a manufacturer of eco-friendly paints and plasters, announced the release of their new natural Hard Wax Oil finish—a durable surface treatment, ensuring protection for wood, cork and stone in interior applications. Unearthed Hard Wax Oil is produced from natural raw materials and is non-toxic and VOC-free. Unearthed Hard Wax Oil finish provides a natural, breathable silky-matte finish that penetrates deep into the pores to enhance the wood’s natural beauty. The transparent, honey tinge hue allows the wood’s inherent characteristics to show through. “Conventional polyurethane finishes are a plastic-like layer that sits on top of your wood floor,” says...

RAPID CITY, S.D.—The newly branded Rapid City, S.D., Adoba Eco Hotel recently unveiled its exterior signage package. It was designed and fabricated by Lauretano Sign Group, a national provider of eco-savvy signage products. Atmosphere Hospitality Management Services is the owner of the Adoba Eco Hotel brand.As the hotel continues to strive towards LEED certification and reducing its carbon footprint, owner of the property Karim Merali stated, “Joining forces with the Lauretano Sign Group was a great recommendation by the Adoba executives. This sign package was custom-designed for the hotel, constructed with up to 85 percent recycled plastic and finished...

SECAUCUS, N.J.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Panasonic Home & Environment Company a 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in manufacturing innovative and energy efficient ventilation fans. Panasonic’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star. An Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2011 and 2010, Panasonic Home & Environment Company will be honored with the EPA’s most prestigious award for its long-term commitment to sustainability. With the highest efficacy (up to 23.3 cubic feet...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in conjunction with The Home Depot, has launched an online green home products database. The database is a special microsite within homedepot.com that features products geared toward green home building, many of which may contribute towards earning LEED points and prerequisites for the LEED for Homes program, making it easier for homeowners and builders to find the products they need. Currently, more than 2,500 products sold at The Home Depot are listed on the website. “The LEED green building program helps homeowners measure green home performance across a range of categories, and products play...

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIF.—Aqua Soleil Hotel in Desert Hot Springs, well known for its hot mineral spas and pool, can now boast hot water of a different kind. Its new solar thermal hot water and pool heating system, designed to supply 80 percent of the hotel’s annual hot water demand, is one of the largest solar thermal installations in Coachella Valley. The solar system was installed by SunUp Energy, based in Coachella Valley, and features Austrian made Kioto flat plate solar collectors supplied through California Solar Thermal Inc. “We knew solar would be a great fit for Aqua Soleil when...

AURORA, ONT.—CleanRiver Recycling Solutions, a division of Midpoint International, Inc., has introduced a “Transition-Ready” recycling station that can be customized with a choice of countertops and wood veneer side and front panels. These custom recycling, composting and waste containers use stream-specific, interchangeable opening plates and moveable internal dividers to accept multiple types of recyclables in a single unit that is easily configured—and reconfigured—to meet current and future requirements. The containers are designed to blend in with existing cabinetry.“The Transition liner is the key to this recycling station,” said CleanRiver president Dave Jarrett. “The liner is a system that meets...

JUPITER, FLA.—Fresh-Aire UV, the manufacturer of the original 24 Volt Blue-Tube UV and the APCO in-duct air purifiers, introduces the Mini UV System, the first germicidal ultra-violet light system designed specifically for mini-split and other ductless air-conditioning units in residential and commercial applications.The Mini UV’s patent-pending miniaturized components, consisting of two pencil-thin, 9 (L) x 3/8 (D)-inch UV lamps and a 6 (W) x 1.5 (H) x 1 (D)-inch, 120 or 208-230-VAC power supply, fit inside all ductless A/C brands and even the tightest compact mini-split spaces.Like all Fresh-Aire UV products, the Mini UV inhibits all mold and other...