preview hospitality’s hard...
TRANSCRIPT
SPRING 2017PRSRT STD
US POSTAGEPAID
Bolingbrook ILPermit 422
HD EXPO PREVIEW
RETAILERRECLAMATION
THE MAGAZINE OFSUSTAINABLE FLOORING
the age ofTRUMP
HOSPITALITYrsquoShard side
socialsustainability
projects products platforms policies practices people
855 Abutment Road Ste 1 bull Dalton GA 30721e infofciforg p 8553301183 f 7062171165
Apply for a grant at fciforg
How Do I qualify for a grant1 Life-Altering Medical Event
Financial Crisis
5+ Years in Floor Covering Industry23
DonateHelp your co-workers in need
at fciforg
EducateShare this program with
VolunteerContact us to get involved
amp improve lives
Meet Jw and Brenda
Foundation he received a grant to help with medical care and housing expenses Because of generous donations from corporations and individuals in the industry JWrsquos battle is a little easier
We are there with our friends who have dedicated their lives to
battles of their life
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 3
PERSPECTIVES4 gopinion
8 guest columnarchitectural systemsrsquo nancy jackson
10 what a trumppresidency meansfor sustainability
28 guest columnarmstrongrsquos amy costello
PLATFORMS
20 aquafilrsquos energy shift
30 socialsustainability
PEOPLE12 interfacersquos
david gerson
PRODUCTS6 hd expo preview
PROFILE
14 the designers of tarkettrsquos collections infinies
PROJECT REVIEW
18 tulalip resort casino
FEATURES22 hospitalityrsquos
hard surfacefacelift
34 reclaimed woodrejuvenates retail
carpet solutions forconvention centers26
SPRING 2017inside
p 8553301183 f 7062171165
A
4 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Spring is here and everything is new again mdash and evengreener Every year at this time Irsquom filled with energy andinspiration Whether itrsquos the tiny green buds of new lifepoking through the soil or reflecting on first-quarter
accomplishments spring promotes growth And itrsquos invigoratingSo in sticking with the theme our Spring Issue of GO is ripe
with ldquonewrdquo content From an industry standpoint sustainabilityand green building continue to advance According to the USGreen Building Councilrsquos (USGBC) annual list of top 10 US statesfor LEED 2016 saw an 114 increase in the number of certifiedgreen building commercial and institutional projects (totaling1819) And thatrsquos just among the 10 states to make the cut On anational level 3366 projects were LEED certified last yearInternationally more than 59000 commercial neighborhood andresidential projects are currently LEED certified comprising morethan 6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 US statesand more than 164 territories globally But the growth doesnrsquotstop there
Not only are project numbers going up but green productspractices and even thought process continue to evolve In the fol-lowing pages yoursquoll read how the conscious decision of one man-ufacturer to move to renewable energy (Aquafil page 20) affectsour global environment where product innovation across all cat-egories is single-handedly advancing the retail and hospitalitysector (HD Expo on pages 6ndash7 LVT on pages 22ndash25 carpet onpages 26ndash27 and reclaimed wood on pages 34ndash37) and why analready progressive conversation around sustainability keepsexpanding to positively impact communities around the world(social sustainability pages 30ndash32)
Of course with change can also come trepidation We coverthat too As champions of the environment members of the AampDcommunity might point to a new President and his administrationas the biggest cause for worry Readers might also be surprisedto learn that our colleaguesrsquo level of concern on the subject varieswidely (Trumprsquos environmental era pages 10ndash11) Or what aboutglobal warming Is it still a taboo topic to be swept under therug Not for Interfacersquos David Gerson who shared with us that cli-mate change and carbon footprints are on the companyrsquos shortlist (5 questions page 12)
Yes every year there are challenges and spring is the perfecttime to relish in the opportunities of each Itrsquos with this renewedsense of possibility and refreshed outlook on the year that webring you our first issue of 2017
Sarah Bousquet
New attitudes
Volume 08 Issue 01 Spring 2017GOGreen Operations is published 4 timesa year (quarterly) by RobullEl Productions Inc550 W Old Country Rd Suite 204Hicksville NY 11801 Presort-standardpostage paid in Easton Pa and additionalmailing offices Postmaster send addresschange to GOGreen OperationsSubscription Dept 151 Fairchild Ave Suite 2 Plainview NY 11803
Entire contents copyright 2017 All rightsreserved Printed in the USA Material inthis publication may not be reproduced inany form without written permission fromthe publisher
Please notify us if you are receiving duplicate copies The views expressed byour columnists do not necessarily reflectthose of the staff or management of Green Operations magazine
editorialsteven feldman publishereditorial directorfcnsteveyahoocom5164040836
sarah bousquet editorsarahgreenoperationsnet
kj quinn liz switzer amy costello nancy jacksoncontributing writers5169327860
advertisingnadia ramlakhansales associatenadiagreenoperationsnet5169327860
artproductionlisa m ceraso-faracecreative directorlisalouoptonlinenet
headquarters550 w old country road suite 204hicksville ny 11801tel 5169327860 fax 5169327639gomagazine1gmailcom
GOOPINION
Alpine Ridge 1328519
The luxurious comfort of Aspecta One floors See them all at Hospitality Design Expo Booth 5837aspectaflooringcom
Aspectareg Law of Attraction Luxury sophistication and comfort are highly compatible
5 No
6 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
hd expo is the premier trade showand hospitality conference in its sector thisyear attendees from around the globe willreturn to mandalay bay in las vegas on may 3ndash5in search of inspiration and insights dedicatedto bringing interior designers architectsownersoperators developers specifiers andpurchasers the best available resources for theirprojects hd expo touts access to the latestproducts and services informative educationalsessions and encouraged networking andideation with industry experts
to gain GO readers advanced access tosome of the most innovative flooring products at this yearrsquos show Green Operations gatheredthese teasers
bull KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORINGlooselay longboard is a revolutionary newfloor for hospitality environments askarndean designflooringrsquos fastest and easiestfloor to install looselay longboard combinesthe companyrsquos longest plank size with theproven technology of its looselay k-wavefriction-grip backing the ease of installationallows users to quickly retrofit a space whileits acoustic qualities keep noise levels in busyareas to a minimum plus itrsquos easy to clean andmaintain meaning less disruption to businessand more catering to customers available in 12new colors there is an option for any style andsetting booth 5411
HD EXPO P
bull METROFLORhospitality designers nowhave an even more extensiverange of options within theaspecta family with theintroduction of aspecta oneby metroflor the value-driven collection featuresnew exclusive designs withthe same high-quality surfacetextures high design colordurability and warmthunderfoot that are thehallmarks of the entireportfolio the collectionboasts 46 trendsetting tilesand planks with stimulatingdetails exclusive surfacestructures and hues to suitevery type of spacepatterned floor looks can beachieved with a series ofplanks in herringbone (4 x 24) and Zigzag (shown 9 x 60) booth 5837
GOPREVIEW
bull USFLOORSeach product from usfloorsrsquo new coretec commercialdefined collection is highlighted to be as unique as theindividuals who work play and live in the environmentsthey support defined is comprised of minimalistic woodgrains and urban concrete tiles it is part of the coreteccommercial patented construction process and as suchoffers the same benefits that are redefining the flooringindustry because of its inherent rigidity attachedunderlayment and patented locking system coreteccommercial can quickly and easily install over existinghard surfaces with little or no prep it will not telegraphand will hide many subfloor imperfections booth 4964
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
855 Abutment Road Ste 1 bull Dalton GA 30721e infofciforg p 8553301183 f 7062171165
Apply for a grant at fciforg
How Do I qualify for a grant1 Life-Altering Medical Event
Financial Crisis
5+ Years in Floor Covering Industry23
DonateHelp your co-workers in need
at fciforg
EducateShare this program with
VolunteerContact us to get involved
amp improve lives
Meet Jw and Brenda
Foundation he received a grant to help with medical care and housing expenses Because of generous donations from corporations and individuals in the industry JWrsquos battle is a little easier
We are there with our friends who have dedicated their lives to
battles of their life
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 3
PERSPECTIVES4 gopinion
8 guest columnarchitectural systemsrsquo nancy jackson
10 what a trumppresidency meansfor sustainability
28 guest columnarmstrongrsquos amy costello
PLATFORMS
20 aquafilrsquos energy shift
30 socialsustainability
PEOPLE12 interfacersquos
david gerson
PRODUCTS6 hd expo preview
PROFILE
14 the designers of tarkettrsquos collections infinies
PROJECT REVIEW
18 tulalip resort casino
FEATURES22 hospitalityrsquos
hard surfacefacelift
34 reclaimed woodrejuvenates retail
carpet solutions forconvention centers26
SPRING 2017inside
p 8553301183 f 7062171165
A
4 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Spring is here and everything is new again mdash and evengreener Every year at this time Irsquom filled with energy andinspiration Whether itrsquos the tiny green buds of new lifepoking through the soil or reflecting on first-quarter
accomplishments spring promotes growth And itrsquos invigoratingSo in sticking with the theme our Spring Issue of GO is ripe
with ldquonewrdquo content From an industry standpoint sustainabilityand green building continue to advance According to the USGreen Building Councilrsquos (USGBC) annual list of top 10 US statesfor LEED 2016 saw an 114 increase in the number of certifiedgreen building commercial and institutional projects (totaling1819) And thatrsquos just among the 10 states to make the cut On anational level 3366 projects were LEED certified last yearInternationally more than 59000 commercial neighborhood andresidential projects are currently LEED certified comprising morethan 6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 US statesand more than 164 territories globally But the growth doesnrsquotstop there
Not only are project numbers going up but green productspractices and even thought process continue to evolve In the fol-lowing pages yoursquoll read how the conscious decision of one man-ufacturer to move to renewable energy (Aquafil page 20) affectsour global environment where product innovation across all cat-egories is single-handedly advancing the retail and hospitalitysector (HD Expo on pages 6ndash7 LVT on pages 22ndash25 carpet onpages 26ndash27 and reclaimed wood on pages 34ndash37) and why analready progressive conversation around sustainability keepsexpanding to positively impact communities around the world(social sustainability pages 30ndash32)
Of course with change can also come trepidation We coverthat too As champions of the environment members of the AampDcommunity might point to a new President and his administrationas the biggest cause for worry Readers might also be surprisedto learn that our colleaguesrsquo level of concern on the subject varieswidely (Trumprsquos environmental era pages 10ndash11) Or what aboutglobal warming Is it still a taboo topic to be swept under therug Not for Interfacersquos David Gerson who shared with us that cli-mate change and carbon footprints are on the companyrsquos shortlist (5 questions page 12)
Yes every year there are challenges and spring is the perfecttime to relish in the opportunities of each Itrsquos with this renewedsense of possibility and refreshed outlook on the year that webring you our first issue of 2017
Sarah Bousquet
New attitudes
Volume 08 Issue 01 Spring 2017GOGreen Operations is published 4 timesa year (quarterly) by RobullEl Productions Inc550 W Old Country Rd Suite 204Hicksville NY 11801 Presort-standardpostage paid in Easton Pa and additionalmailing offices Postmaster send addresschange to GOGreen OperationsSubscription Dept 151 Fairchild Ave Suite 2 Plainview NY 11803
Entire contents copyright 2017 All rightsreserved Printed in the USA Material inthis publication may not be reproduced inany form without written permission fromthe publisher
Please notify us if you are receiving duplicate copies The views expressed byour columnists do not necessarily reflectthose of the staff or management of Green Operations magazine
editorialsteven feldman publishereditorial directorfcnsteveyahoocom5164040836
sarah bousquet editorsarahgreenoperationsnet
kj quinn liz switzer amy costello nancy jacksoncontributing writers5169327860
advertisingnadia ramlakhansales associatenadiagreenoperationsnet5169327860
artproductionlisa m ceraso-faracecreative directorlisalouoptonlinenet
headquarters550 w old country road suite 204hicksville ny 11801tel 5169327860 fax 5169327639gomagazine1gmailcom
GOOPINION
Alpine Ridge 1328519
The luxurious comfort of Aspecta One floors See them all at Hospitality Design Expo Booth 5837aspectaflooringcom
Aspectareg Law of Attraction Luxury sophistication and comfort are highly compatible
5 No
6 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
hd expo is the premier trade showand hospitality conference in its sector thisyear attendees from around the globe willreturn to mandalay bay in las vegas on may 3ndash5in search of inspiration and insights dedicatedto bringing interior designers architectsownersoperators developers specifiers andpurchasers the best available resources for theirprojects hd expo touts access to the latestproducts and services informative educationalsessions and encouraged networking andideation with industry experts
to gain GO readers advanced access tosome of the most innovative flooring products at this yearrsquos show Green Operations gatheredthese teasers
bull KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORINGlooselay longboard is a revolutionary newfloor for hospitality environments askarndean designflooringrsquos fastest and easiestfloor to install looselay longboard combinesthe companyrsquos longest plank size with theproven technology of its looselay k-wavefriction-grip backing the ease of installationallows users to quickly retrofit a space whileits acoustic qualities keep noise levels in busyareas to a minimum plus itrsquos easy to clean andmaintain meaning less disruption to businessand more catering to customers available in 12new colors there is an option for any style andsetting booth 5411
HD EXPO P
bull METROFLORhospitality designers nowhave an even more extensiverange of options within theaspecta family with theintroduction of aspecta oneby metroflor the value-driven collection featuresnew exclusive designs withthe same high-quality surfacetextures high design colordurability and warmthunderfoot that are thehallmarks of the entireportfolio the collectionboasts 46 trendsetting tilesand planks with stimulatingdetails exclusive surfacestructures and hues to suitevery type of spacepatterned floor looks can beachieved with a series ofplanks in herringbone (4 x 24) and Zigzag (shown 9 x 60) booth 5837
GOPREVIEW
bull USFLOORSeach product from usfloorsrsquo new coretec commercialdefined collection is highlighted to be as unique as theindividuals who work play and live in the environmentsthey support defined is comprised of minimalistic woodgrains and urban concrete tiles it is part of the coreteccommercial patented construction process and as suchoffers the same benefits that are redefining the flooringindustry because of its inherent rigidity attachedunderlayment and patented locking system coreteccommercial can quickly and easily install over existinghard surfaces with little or no prep it will not telegraphand will hide many subfloor imperfections booth 4964
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
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Dust REDUCED
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22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 3
PERSPECTIVES4 gopinion
8 guest columnarchitectural systemsrsquo nancy jackson
10 what a trumppresidency meansfor sustainability
28 guest columnarmstrongrsquos amy costello
PLATFORMS
20 aquafilrsquos energy shift
30 socialsustainability
PEOPLE12 interfacersquos
david gerson
PRODUCTS6 hd expo preview
PROFILE
14 the designers of tarkettrsquos collections infinies
PROJECT REVIEW
18 tulalip resort casino
FEATURES22 hospitalityrsquos
hard surfacefacelift
34 reclaimed woodrejuvenates retail
carpet solutions forconvention centers26
SPRING 2017inside
p 8553301183 f 7062171165
A
4 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Spring is here and everything is new again mdash and evengreener Every year at this time Irsquom filled with energy andinspiration Whether itrsquos the tiny green buds of new lifepoking through the soil or reflecting on first-quarter
accomplishments spring promotes growth And itrsquos invigoratingSo in sticking with the theme our Spring Issue of GO is ripe
with ldquonewrdquo content From an industry standpoint sustainabilityand green building continue to advance According to the USGreen Building Councilrsquos (USGBC) annual list of top 10 US statesfor LEED 2016 saw an 114 increase in the number of certifiedgreen building commercial and institutional projects (totaling1819) And thatrsquos just among the 10 states to make the cut On anational level 3366 projects were LEED certified last yearInternationally more than 59000 commercial neighborhood andresidential projects are currently LEED certified comprising morethan 6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 US statesand more than 164 territories globally But the growth doesnrsquotstop there
Not only are project numbers going up but green productspractices and even thought process continue to evolve In the fol-lowing pages yoursquoll read how the conscious decision of one man-ufacturer to move to renewable energy (Aquafil page 20) affectsour global environment where product innovation across all cat-egories is single-handedly advancing the retail and hospitalitysector (HD Expo on pages 6ndash7 LVT on pages 22ndash25 carpet onpages 26ndash27 and reclaimed wood on pages 34ndash37) and why analready progressive conversation around sustainability keepsexpanding to positively impact communities around the world(social sustainability pages 30ndash32)
Of course with change can also come trepidation We coverthat too As champions of the environment members of the AampDcommunity might point to a new President and his administrationas the biggest cause for worry Readers might also be surprisedto learn that our colleaguesrsquo level of concern on the subject varieswidely (Trumprsquos environmental era pages 10ndash11) Or what aboutglobal warming Is it still a taboo topic to be swept under therug Not for Interfacersquos David Gerson who shared with us that cli-mate change and carbon footprints are on the companyrsquos shortlist (5 questions page 12)
Yes every year there are challenges and spring is the perfecttime to relish in the opportunities of each Itrsquos with this renewedsense of possibility and refreshed outlook on the year that webring you our first issue of 2017
Sarah Bousquet
New attitudes
Volume 08 Issue 01 Spring 2017GOGreen Operations is published 4 timesa year (quarterly) by RobullEl Productions Inc550 W Old Country Rd Suite 204Hicksville NY 11801 Presort-standardpostage paid in Easton Pa and additionalmailing offices Postmaster send addresschange to GOGreen OperationsSubscription Dept 151 Fairchild Ave Suite 2 Plainview NY 11803
Entire contents copyright 2017 All rightsreserved Printed in the USA Material inthis publication may not be reproduced inany form without written permission fromthe publisher
Please notify us if you are receiving duplicate copies The views expressed byour columnists do not necessarily reflectthose of the staff or management of Green Operations magazine
editorialsteven feldman publishereditorial directorfcnsteveyahoocom5164040836
sarah bousquet editorsarahgreenoperationsnet
kj quinn liz switzer amy costello nancy jacksoncontributing writers5169327860
advertisingnadia ramlakhansales associatenadiagreenoperationsnet5169327860
artproductionlisa m ceraso-faracecreative directorlisalouoptonlinenet
headquarters550 w old country road suite 204hicksville ny 11801tel 5169327860 fax 5169327639gomagazine1gmailcom
GOOPINION
Alpine Ridge 1328519
The luxurious comfort of Aspecta One floors See them all at Hospitality Design Expo Booth 5837aspectaflooringcom
Aspectareg Law of Attraction Luxury sophistication and comfort are highly compatible
5 No
6 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
hd expo is the premier trade showand hospitality conference in its sector thisyear attendees from around the globe willreturn to mandalay bay in las vegas on may 3ndash5in search of inspiration and insights dedicatedto bringing interior designers architectsownersoperators developers specifiers andpurchasers the best available resources for theirprojects hd expo touts access to the latestproducts and services informative educationalsessions and encouraged networking andideation with industry experts
to gain GO readers advanced access tosome of the most innovative flooring products at this yearrsquos show Green Operations gatheredthese teasers
bull KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORINGlooselay longboard is a revolutionary newfloor for hospitality environments askarndean designflooringrsquos fastest and easiestfloor to install looselay longboard combinesthe companyrsquos longest plank size with theproven technology of its looselay k-wavefriction-grip backing the ease of installationallows users to quickly retrofit a space whileits acoustic qualities keep noise levels in busyareas to a minimum plus itrsquos easy to clean andmaintain meaning less disruption to businessand more catering to customers available in 12new colors there is an option for any style andsetting booth 5411
HD EXPO P
bull METROFLORhospitality designers nowhave an even more extensiverange of options within theaspecta family with theintroduction of aspecta oneby metroflor the value-driven collection featuresnew exclusive designs withthe same high-quality surfacetextures high design colordurability and warmthunderfoot that are thehallmarks of the entireportfolio the collectionboasts 46 trendsetting tilesand planks with stimulatingdetails exclusive surfacestructures and hues to suitevery type of spacepatterned floor looks can beachieved with a series ofplanks in herringbone (4 x 24) and Zigzag (shown 9 x 60) booth 5837
GOPREVIEW
bull USFLOORSeach product from usfloorsrsquo new coretec commercialdefined collection is highlighted to be as unique as theindividuals who work play and live in the environmentsthey support defined is comprised of minimalistic woodgrains and urban concrete tiles it is part of the coreteccommercial patented construction process and as suchoffers the same benefits that are redefining the flooringindustry because of its inherent rigidity attachedunderlayment and patented locking system coreteccommercial can quickly and easily install over existinghard surfaces with little or no prep it will not telegraphand will hide many subfloor imperfections booth 4964
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
4 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Spring is here and everything is new again mdash and evengreener Every year at this time Irsquom filled with energy andinspiration Whether itrsquos the tiny green buds of new lifepoking through the soil or reflecting on first-quarter
accomplishments spring promotes growth And itrsquos invigoratingSo in sticking with the theme our Spring Issue of GO is ripe
with ldquonewrdquo content From an industry standpoint sustainabilityand green building continue to advance According to the USGreen Building Councilrsquos (USGBC) annual list of top 10 US statesfor LEED 2016 saw an 114 increase in the number of certifiedgreen building commercial and institutional projects (totaling1819) And thatrsquos just among the 10 states to make the cut On anational level 3366 projects were LEED certified last yearInternationally more than 59000 commercial neighborhood andresidential projects are currently LEED certified comprising morethan 6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 US statesand more than 164 territories globally But the growth doesnrsquotstop there
Not only are project numbers going up but green productspractices and even thought process continue to evolve In the fol-lowing pages yoursquoll read how the conscious decision of one man-ufacturer to move to renewable energy (Aquafil page 20) affectsour global environment where product innovation across all cat-egories is single-handedly advancing the retail and hospitalitysector (HD Expo on pages 6ndash7 LVT on pages 22ndash25 carpet onpages 26ndash27 and reclaimed wood on pages 34ndash37) and why analready progressive conversation around sustainability keepsexpanding to positively impact communities around the world(social sustainability pages 30ndash32)
Of course with change can also come trepidation We coverthat too As champions of the environment members of the AampDcommunity might point to a new President and his administrationas the biggest cause for worry Readers might also be surprisedto learn that our colleaguesrsquo level of concern on the subject varieswidely (Trumprsquos environmental era pages 10ndash11) Or what aboutglobal warming Is it still a taboo topic to be swept under therug Not for Interfacersquos David Gerson who shared with us that cli-mate change and carbon footprints are on the companyrsquos shortlist (5 questions page 12)
Yes every year there are challenges and spring is the perfecttime to relish in the opportunities of each Itrsquos with this renewedsense of possibility and refreshed outlook on the year that webring you our first issue of 2017
Sarah Bousquet
New attitudes
Volume 08 Issue 01 Spring 2017GOGreen Operations is published 4 timesa year (quarterly) by RobullEl Productions Inc550 W Old Country Rd Suite 204Hicksville NY 11801 Presort-standardpostage paid in Easton Pa and additionalmailing offices Postmaster send addresschange to GOGreen OperationsSubscription Dept 151 Fairchild Ave Suite 2 Plainview NY 11803
Entire contents copyright 2017 All rightsreserved Printed in the USA Material inthis publication may not be reproduced inany form without written permission fromthe publisher
Please notify us if you are receiving duplicate copies The views expressed byour columnists do not necessarily reflectthose of the staff or management of Green Operations magazine
editorialsteven feldman publishereditorial directorfcnsteveyahoocom5164040836
sarah bousquet editorsarahgreenoperationsnet
kj quinn liz switzer amy costello nancy jacksoncontributing writers5169327860
advertisingnadia ramlakhansales associatenadiagreenoperationsnet5169327860
artproductionlisa m ceraso-faracecreative directorlisalouoptonlinenet
headquarters550 w old country road suite 204hicksville ny 11801tel 5169327860 fax 5169327639gomagazine1gmailcom
GOOPINION
Alpine Ridge 1328519
The luxurious comfort of Aspecta One floors See them all at Hospitality Design Expo Booth 5837aspectaflooringcom
Aspectareg Law of Attraction Luxury sophistication and comfort are highly compatible
5 No
6 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
hd expo is the premier trade showand hospitality conference in its sector thisyear attendees from around the globe willreturn to mandalay bay in las vegas on may 3ndash5in search of inspiration and insights dedicatedto bringing interior designers architectsownersoperators developers specifiers andpurchasers the best available resources for theirprojects hd expo touts access to the latestproducts and services informative educationalsessions and encouraged networking andideation with industry experts
to gain GO readers advanced access tosome of the most innovative flooring products at this yearrsquos show Green Operations gatheredthese teasers
bull KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORINGlooselay longboard is a revolutionary newfloor for hospitality environments askarndean designflooringrsquos fastest and easiestfloor to install looselay longboard combinesthe companyrsquos longest plank size with theproven technology of its looselay k-wavefriction-grip backing the ease of installationallows users to quickly retrofit a space whileits acoustic qualities keep noise levels in busyareas to a minimum plus itrsquos easy to clean andmaintain meaning less disruption to businessand more catering to customers available in 12new colors there is an option for any style andsetting booth 5411
HD EXPO P
bull METROFLORhospitality designers nowhave an even more extensiverange of options within theaspecta family with theintroduction of aspecta oneby metroflor the value-driven collection featuresnew exclusive designs withthe same high-quality surfacetextures high design colordurability and warmthunderfoot that are thehallmarks of the entireportfolio the collectionboasts 46 trendsetting tilesand planks with stimulatingdetails exclusive surfacestructures and hues to suitevery type of spacepatterned floor looks can beachieved with a series ofplanks in herringbone (4 x 24) and Zigzag (shown 9 x 60) booth 5837
GOPREVIEW
bull USFLOORSeach product from usfloorsrsquo new coretec commercialdefined collection is highlighted to be as unique as theindividuals who work play and live in the environmentsthey support defined is comprised of minimalistic woodgrains and urban concrete tiles it is part of the coreteccommercial patented construction process and as suchoffers the same benefits that are redefining the flooringindustry because of its inherent rigidity attachedunderlayment and patented locking system coreteccommercial can quickly and easily install over existinghard surfaces with little or no prep it will not telegraphand will hide many subfloor imperfections booth 4964
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
Alpine Ridge 1328519
The luxurious comfort of Aspecta One floors See them all at Hospitality Design Expo Booth 5837aspectaflooringcom
Aspectareg Law of Attraction Luxury sophistication and comfort are highly compatible
5 No
6 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
hd expo is the premier trade showand hospitality conference in its sector thisyear attendees from around the globe willreturn to mandalay bay in las vegas on may 3ndash5in search of inspiration and insights dedicatedto bringing interior designers architectsownersoperators developers specifiers andpurchasers the best available resources for theirprojects hd expo touts access to the latestproducts and services informative educationalsessions and encouraged networking andideation with industry experts
to gain GO readers advanced access tosome of the most innovative flooring products at this yearrsquos show Green Operations gatheredthese teasers
bull KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORINGlooselay longboard is a revolutionary newfloor for hospitality environments askarndean designflooringrsquos fastest and easiestfloor to install looselay longboard combinesthe companyrsquos longest plank size with theproven technology of its looselay k-wavefriction-grip backing the ease of installationallows users to quickly retrofit a space whileits acoustic qualities keep noise levels in busyareas to a minimum plus itrsquos easy to clean andmaintain meaning less disruption to businessand more catering to customers available in 12new colors there is an option for any style andsetting booth 5411
HD EXPO P
bull METROFLORhospitality designers nowhave an even more extensiverange of options within theaspecta family with theintroduction of aspecta oneby metroflor the value-driven collection featuresnew exclusive designs withthe same high-quality surfacetextures high design colordurability and warmthunderfoot that are thehallmarks of the entireportfolio the collectionboasts 46 trendsetting tilesand planks with stimulatingdetails exclusive surfacestructures and hues to suitevery type of spacepatterned floor looks can beachieved with a series ofplanks in herringbone (4 x 24) and Zigzag (shown 9 x 60) booth 5837
GOPREVIEW
bull USFLOORSeach product from usfloorsrsquo new coretec commercialdefined collection is highlighted to be as unique as theindividuals who work play and live in the environmentsthey support defined is comprised of minimalistic woodgrains and urban concrete tiles it is part of the coreteccommercial patented construction process and as suchoffers the same benefits that are redefining the flooringindustry because of its inherent rigidity attachedunderlayment and patented locking system coreteccommercial can quickly and easily install over existinghard surfaces with little or no prep it will not telegraphand will hide many subfloor imperfections booth 4964
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
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22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
6 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
hd expo is the premier trade showand hospitality conference in its sector thisyear attendees from around the globe willreturn to mandalay bay in las vegas on may 3ndash5in search of inspiration and insights dedicatedto bringing interior designers architectsownersoperators developers specifiers andpurchasers the best available resources for theirprojects hd expo touts access to the latestproducts and services informative educationalsessions and encouraged networking andideation with industry experts
to gain GO readers advanced access tosome of the most innovative flooring products at this yearrsquos show Green Operations gatheredthese teasers
bull KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORINGlooselay longboard is a revolutionary newfloor for hospitality environments askarndean designflooringrsquos fastest and easiestfloor to install looselay longboard combinesthe companyrsquos longest plank size with theproven technology of its looselay k-wavefriction-grip backing the ease of installationallows users to quickly retrofit a space whileits acoustic qualities keep noise levels in busyareas to a minimum plus itrsquos easy to clean andmaintain meaning less disruption to businessand more catering to customers available in 12new colors there is an option for any style andsetting booth 5411
HD EXPO P
bull METROFLORhospitality designers nowhave an even more extensiverange of options within theaspecta family with theintroduction of aspecta oneby metroflor the value-driven collection featuresnew exclusive designs withthe same high-quality surfacetextures high design colordurability and warmthunderfoot that are thehallmarks of the entireportfolio the collectionboasts 46 trendsetting tilesand planks with stimulatingdetails exclusive surfacestructures and hues to suitevery type of spacepatterned floor looks can beachieved with a series ofplanks in herringbone (4 x 24) and Zigzag (shown 9 x 60) booth 5837
GOPREVIEW
bull USFLOORSeach product from usfloorsrsquo new coretec commercialdefined collection is highlighted to be as unique as theindividuals who work play and live in the environmentsthey support defined is comprised of minimalistic woodgrains and urban concrete tiles it is part of the coreteccommercial patented construction process and as suchoffers the same benefits that are redefining the flooringindustry because of its inherent rigidity attachedunderlayment and patented locking system coreteccommercial can quickly and easily install over existinghard surfaces with little or no prep it will not telegraphand will hide many subfloor imperfections booth 4964
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 7
bull DURKANwhile carpet has reigned supreme within thehospitality segment the hospitality divisionof mohawk group mdash durkan mdash offers livinglocal lvt living local celebrates thevibrant versatile spirit of local communitiesproudly manufactured in the us thecollection draws inspiration from naturalwood visuals and features colors rangingfrom rich warm browns to cool grays thecollectionrsquos shades and textures are designedto bring homegrown appeal to a wide varietyof hospitality projects booth 3821
ALTROthe altro wood collection is a resilient sheet flooring available in threeoptions altro wood (20mm) altro wood comfort (285mm) and altrowood acoustic (39mm) comfort and acoustic are thicker to provideincreased sound absorption and comfort the range is manufactured with upto 24 rapidly renewable bio-based content and is floorscore certifiedbooth 1559
ARTISTIC TILEthe interplay of light and shadow creates a stunning symmetry in thisintricately carved and shaped dimensional stone pattern grayson combinesprecision technology in natural stone with italian artistry for an outstandingmodern effect stocked in grey foussana limestone and bianco carraramarble exclusive to artistic tile in the united states booth 1422
ATLAS CARPET MILLSatlas a west coast style leader of commercial carpet announces themetaacutefora collection inspired by modern retro design the metaacutefora collectioncreates a contemporary feel with a touch of nostalgia this artistic assortmentwhich is available in broadloom carpet tile and area rugs offers four running-line patterns charisma ease intrigue spirit plus nine additional patterns thenew products are tufted with antron lumena 66 nylon are nsf 140 certifiedand carry cri green label plus designation booth 2269
EARTHWERKSearthwerks parkhill premium waterproof core collection is now availablein six new skus of embossed-in-register planks as well as six new 12 x 24tiles this complete collection is the perfect fit for both commercial andresidential deacutecor and features 2g click installation and tuff shield forsuperior performance booth 3182
MANNINGTON COMMERCIALessential modular carpet draws from naturersquos details to express colors andpatterns that are anything but ordinary in visually layered 18 x 36 tiles andinspired by the eamesrsquo powers of ten mdash and ranging from the grand scale oftopography to the intimacy of a blown dandelion mdash intrinsic is a captivatinginterplay of geometrics and organics booth 3075
STONE SOURCEinspired by encaustic cement tile electra grande is a series of glazedporcelain tile with a unique geometric appearance tiles are oversizedhexagons with a slightly patinaed look with lines projecting across the surfacethat can be installed to form various patterns for floor and wall booth 5821
SHANNON SPECIALTY FLOORSthink ahead lvt includes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability and stays true to the ldquonowax no buffrdquo features it includes eight unique styles is made of 100 virginpvc non-phthalate plasticizers and is free of heavy metals booth 1221
SHAW HOSPITALITYathletic textiles flex into our physical space interjecting bold energy andgraphic motion in the new active collection by shaw hospitality thecustom carpet collection which was inspired by energetic living andbalanced wellbeing extends fitness to the floor with pops of energy andoptimism the active patterns activate and shape the floor by pulling thisinspiration from active wear and various modes of activity active enablesdesigners to easily design a space without over thinking the carpet layoutbooth 3511
TARKETT TANDUS CENTIVA DESSOdessorsquos capsule collection of high-quality carpet tiles is a visualrepresentation of the luxury of being cradled by transformative patterningwith an emphasis on woven elements interlacing threads anddeconstructing fabrics capsule is inviting and touchable the color paletteis grounded in calming blues with accents of greenery booth 3732
PREVIEW
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
8 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
What do retail and hospitality brands millen-nials and aging baby boomers have in com-mon More than you think
To attract and retain consumer loyalty a freshand seamless approach must be in place Brandsthat have a successful cross-channel business modelthat includes the physical and digital space mdashomnichannel mdash are ensuring a positive customerexperience for all demographics
In the retail world traditional brick-and-mortarstores are online and brands that originated as digi-tal stores have begun to build physical freestandingshops The eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker is agreat example Starting online as an alternative
source to provide designer glasses at revolutionaryprices with a socially conscious business slant theretailer appealed to the millennial Social responsibil-ity and purpose are key factors in attracting thisdemographic meaning Warby Parker gained furthernotoriety when it partnered with nonprofits to makesure for every pair of glasses sold a pair was distrib-uted to someone in need Ironically the shop wasnamed retailer of the year at the International RetailDesign Conference in 2015 an award that is given forcore retail values mdash innovation service and intelli-gence You see on the brick-and-mortar side of thebusiness the company was inspired by a library set-ting and began creating unique spaces for cus-tomers to visit A mix of hardwood floors concreteor natural slate have been installed throughout theirlocations and all provide books on bookshelves andhost readings to offer an authentic and real experi-ence you canrsquot get online
Hospitality has also seen several advancementscentered on guest interaction One such trend islifestyle based and caters to the guestrsquos customer-centric experience The Even Hotel mdash a new brandfrom the International Hotel Group mdash is geared to thewellness traveler Each guest room is outfitted withexercise equipment and cork floors which are notonly durable but evoke a gym-like atmosphere Alsoeco porcelain tiles were installed in the publicspaces to reinforce natural materials that convey anoverall sense of wellness You just might want to takethe stairs when you stay here
Another movement focuses on embracing thenatural and cultural surroundings of a space Airbnbonline bookings is certainly a disruptor for hotelproperties and is a leading competitor when itcomes to providing local and cultural influencesHospitality brands must deliver an authentic experi-ence infusing a regional flavor into their design
For millennials social media is another impor-tant aspect of the guestrsquos journey Embracing thissome hotels have incorporated ldquoselfie wallsrdquo into
Thebranded
environmentBY NANCY JACKSON PRESIDENT
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
Continued on page 38
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
Only ECONYLreg Pure fi ber is made from 100 regenerated nylon and made for piece dye Reclaimed post-consumer nylon 6 carpet fiber that is regenerated into new nylon 6mdashand engineered to be regenerated an infi nite number of times So it can be dyed into colors for new carpet again and again and again
econylcom | aquafi lusacom
PureECONYL
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
10 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Beardsleysenior policy counsel us green building councilwashington dcRegardless of who is leading theUS our work to transform the waybuildings and communities aredesigned built and operated doesnot change Government has longbeen a partner in advancing ourcommon goals of reducing wasteprotecting resources and usingthem wisely creating resilientfacilities protecting public healthand safety and advancinginnovation In addition incentivesfor private sector green buildingexist in many states localgovernments and utilities and arenot directly affected by thepresidential transition We arecontinuing our efforts to work withelected representatives andgovernment officials at all levelsand from all parties to supportpolicies and initiatives that helpadvance our mission and opposeefforts that reduce opportunities forleadership in the builtenvironment
Cory Hawbeckersenior associate holst architecture portland ore Much of our current government leadership has positioned itself against scientific consensus for reasons that have nothing to do withactual science and everything to do with political and economic expediencyWe have been experiencing the early impacts of global climate change in theform of rising sea levels ocean acidification warmer temperatures droughtsand increased weather volatility We need to take immediate action toreduce the consumption of fossil fuels mdash especially coal mdash by reducing energyconsumption of new and existing buildings as well as encouraging the use oflow-carbon fuel sources like hydro solar wind and nuclear power If ourleadership refuses to take action I believe it is imperative that local officialsarchitects engineers builders and building owners take steps to do whatthey can within their fields to mitigate the impact that buildings of all typeshave on the environment
president trump a new environmental eraArchitects and designers on both sides of the politicalaisle are scratching their heads over the future of sustain-able design under new President Donald Trump The questionWill President Trump help or hurt the progress that has beenmade over the past decade as green building has grown into amainstream practice
Some believe Trumprsquos election presents an opportunity forsustainability to thrive if the President proceeds with his pro-posed $1 trillion reconstruction of the public built environmentBut many green building professionals say they are concernedabout how the Federal government could change sustainableproducts and incentivize coal and fossil fuels over more envi-ronmentally conscious policies
Either way itrsquos important to note much of the green buildingprogress seen has been voluntary mdash with LEED spearheading ini-tiatives mdash or has taken place at the local or state level And thereis little the Trump administration can do to roll back local codesand state requirements Of course impacts are likely to varydepending on project location Per AampD members California forexample will probably not be impacted because state greenregulations are higher than federal standards
To get a better pulse GO reached out to green buildingthought leaders across the country on the subject of the newPresident and sustainability You may be surprised by what theyhad to say
Andrew Maletzexecutive vice president wd partners columbus ohioThe current Presidentrsquos policies favor deregulation which is notsurprising given his business interests Under this administration weshould expect to see an overall relaxing of sustainability requirementsand mandates that are perceived to add cost and time to constructionIn the long run however the ldquogreen building industryrdquo is just that anindustry that builds its case on life-cycle cost savings and a carefullycrafted message designed to appeal to the organic non-GMOenvironmentally friendly public sentiment If this is true the market willhave more influence than the President
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 11
Annette Stelmackauthor sustainable residential interiors denver The green building industry is dynamic resilient and now more than ever we are ldquodoing the workrdquo regardless of the newPresidentrsquos positions It comes down to each and every one of us beingthe difference I wholeheartedly believe that when we follow our heartsand put our values first we drive change for good mdash facilitated by ourexpertise courage joy and hope Passionately advocating for andimplementing healthy high-performing interiors with the Well BuildingStandard and LEED v4 we proactively deliver higher performing interiorenvironments where occupants both live and thrive
Carol Sandmanfounder and principal ap+i design mountain view califWhile his philosophy seems less supportive of sustainability I doubtPresident Trump will throw out all sustainable policies and practices infavor of the opposition There are too many followers of the greenmovement to try to exclude them from future policy making Commercialreal estate is very much tied to the economy and I think we may benefitdue to President Trumprsquos interest in the economy and real estateholdings as well In one sense since he is pro-business it could be a bigboon to the building economy in general While some of his policies maynot be green the simple fact that more building may be going onindicates that firms that have chosen to take a green stance will continue forward on an ecological path
Brad Kahncommunications directorforest stewardship council us seattleI believe our shared values remain the sameeven with a new administration For examplepeople value forests for clean water to drinkand air to breathe We value wildlife and timewith family in the outdoors And we valueforest products we use every day So at theForest Stewardship Council our opportunitiesremain the same We have a chance toprotect forests and the values they deliver mdasheven as we use forest products In the realestate sector green building will continue togrow That genie is out of the bottle and withits growth there will be increasing awarenessthat wood from responsibly managed forestsis one of the best building materials The keyis that we take care of our forests and wecanrsquot assume this will always happen Thatrsquoswhere FSC comes in
Douglas DeBoerceo rebel design+grouplos angelesPresident Trump and his cabinet havebeen openly hostile to the sciencedocumenting world climate change andhe is notorious for not incorporating greentechnology or LEED certification in hisown buildings stating the science doesnot generate enough power to make theinvestment cost effective By putting lessemphasis on sustainability and more to abuilderrsquos profit green building can marketitself under a pro-business Republicanadministration Fortunately many greenbuilding industry policies are legislated atthe local and state levels so PresidentTrumprsquos elimination of the EPA or otherinitiatives should have little effect
Blaine Brownell associate professor amp director graduate studies university of minnesota school of architectureminneapolis Our new political reality brings significant challenges to the green buildingindustry which I predict will experience its first true test under the currentadministration A concerted drive toward a more environmentallyresponsible future will require working directly with sympathetic andinterested parties including city mayors governors manufacturersnational laboratories and academic institutions mdash not the White HouseExpect significant rollbacks in environmental protections defunding ofenvironmental programs and a general refusal to accept climate change asa reality at the federal level If we are to see progress in green building itwill be due to the will and perseverance of the alt-majority
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
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Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
GOPEOPLE
INTERFACE HAS BEENFOCUSED ON THEENVIRONMENT SINCE 1994HOW DOES THE COMPANYDEFINE SUSTAINABILITYAND HOW HAS YOURVISION EVOLVEDSustainability is a topic with nosimple answer and itrsquos alwaysevolving Initially we defined itwith our Mission Zero initiativemdash aiming to eliminate ourcompanyrsquos negative impact onthe environment Fast forwardto today and wersquore almostthere which has given us anopportunity to once again setan aspirational goal Weintroduced our new missionClimate Takeback in June2016 We see climate changeas the biggest threat tohumanity and our earth anditrsquos also an opportunity for us todo some major good
1
HOW HAS THE CONSUMEREXPERIENCE CHANGEDWITHIN THE RETAIL ANDHOSPITALITY SEGMENTS AND WHAT IMPACT HASSUSTAINABILITY HADRetailers are basically trying torethink the brick-and-mortar tohave a real level of connectionwith the brand Today there mustbe something compelling aboutthe showroom experience thatmakes people want to go thereand spend time in that spaceMulti-sensory experiences mdashtextures scents sounds sights mdashhave been one answer as well asbiophilic design that makespeople naturally feel comfortableand engaged In hospitality it is allabout wellbeing and the human-centric experience Againbiophilia is playing a large rolehere as designers are looking tocreate environments reminiscentof spaces wersquove lived in forhundreds of years This is not atrend itrsquos literally a return tonature We are part of nature andthis is not just ldquoeco-chicrdquo designItrsquos great design and it willcontinue to grow Thenew language ofluxury is notopulence butcelebratingnaturersquosbeauty
2 WHAT DO THE NEXT FIVEYEARS LOOK LIKE FORGREEN BUILDINGSPECIFICALLY IN THECOMMERCIAL FLOORINGARENA I think focus on our carbonfootprint is going to be the keyfocal point moving forwardLook at grass roots movementslike Global Climate ChangeAlliance and ArchitectsAdvocate The AampD communitycan naturally see the future andthey wouldnrsquot get into theprofession if they didnrsquot thinkthey could make change We atInterface have beensustainability leaders for 20years and see climate change asgrowing in importance Wersquovegot to get higher level and bemore strategic
4
WHATrsquoS CURRENTLY ONYOUR RECOMMENDEDREADING LIST
Paul HawkenrsquosDrawdown The Most
ComprehensivePlan Ever
Proposed toReverse GlobalWarming Itdetails 100things we can allbe doing today tobegin reversingclimate changeand I would highlyrecommend it Youcan find more at
drawdownorg
5
WHAT ARE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGESFACING THE AampDCOMMUNITY TODAY If yoursquore a designer thereare 5000 different finishesyou probably need toknow something about mdashfrom carpet tile to HVACsystems to faucet fixturesThe AampD communitysimply doesnrsquot have time tohone in on sustainabilityfor any one of these at thelevel we as manufacturers can Creating transparencyaround sustainabilityacross product segments isan important step forwardwhich is why wersquoreproviding GreenCircleCertified EnvironmentalFacts labels for ourproducts
35 QUESTIONS FORhellipDavid Gersonvice president of marketing interface
12 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
Waterproof Quick and easy to install
Extra large planks
Acoustic qualities Comfortableunderfoot
Individuallyreplaceable
Low maintenance Environmentally friendly
Suitable for lt95 RH
888-266-4343 | infokarndeancom | wwwkarndeancom
Visit us at HD Expo booth5411
KarndeanLooseLay
Karndean LooseLay
Longboard
Revolutionary new floors from the company that defines Design
Karndean
LooseLayKarndean
it us at Exp
541
Visit us HHD
5411
D Expo booth
Karndean LooseLay LongboarKarndean f otechnology
qualities oustic its acwhile otect your investment Seciently pr
888-266-4343 | fokarndeanc in
dKarndean LooseLay Longboar is our fastest and easiest to install floorfriction-grip ave W-Krsquos LooseLayKarndean busy in levels noise eep kqualities
top by Karndeanrsquos booth at Hotect your investment S
om fokarndeanc | omkarndeancwww
ombining our longest plank siz c is our fastest and easiest to install flooroease Its backing friction-grip
Plus minimum a to eas arbusy D Expo to see just how easy it is to install top by Karndeanrsquos booth at H
om
ombining our longest plank sizto you allows installation f o
maintain and clean to easy is it D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
oven e with the prombining our longest plank size spaca flip quickly
you to enabling maintain D Expo to see just how easy it is to install
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
DIFFERENT ARTISTS DIFFERENT VISIONS
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
GOPROFILE
tarkett unveiled collections infinies at neocon 2016 to an overwhelmingly positive response the commercial collectionunabashedly introduced itself as the perfect marriage betweencreativity and innovation claiming its stake as the first digitallyprinted lvt flooring product on the market mdash with unendingdesign options
aside from new technology tarkettrsquos strategic partnershipswith five iconic designers mdash suzanne tick 2x4 db kimsagmeister amp walsh and kampco mdash is what continues to makecollections infinies successful through co-creation
starting with five individual flooring designs digital printing
technology allows for extended pattern repeats layering andvarying gradients to create a portfolio of customizable highdesigns with expansive randomized motifs the result is an opencanvass where specifiers can work with the collections design-ers to create a truly unique space
with a vision and runway reminiscent of its predecessorcollections priveacutees mdash which focused on custom soft-surfaceprinting capabilities in 1999 mdash collections infinies looks to answerone question what feeling do you want to emit in a space
Green Operations took the opportunity to put the questionback on four of five collections infinies designers in this issuersquosdesigner profile
14 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
BY SARAH BOUSQUET
1 2 3 4
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 15
XXXXXXXXGO
SUZANNE TICK INCSuzanne Tick principal A well-known trailblazer noted for her passionate approach to designwithin evolving markets
8What is your design name and inspirationTrans-Materia is my design and it is inspired by atransitional and material study for digitally printedflooring In the last couple of years the concept oftransition has been a big theme in the studiorsquos work bothin theory (Suzannersquos talk His and Hers) and productdesign (Tandus Code and Halftone Transitions modularflooring) Observing recent changes in society we areseeing how preconceived notions of gender and spaceare quickly changing The lines between traditionaldualities like man and woman or public and privatespace This has inspired us to work on transitioningmaterials for the interior space Wersquore looking at dualitieslike what looks and feels hard and soft Flat and texturedMat and shiny
8What are three words that best describe the design Transformative hyper-real duality
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections InfiniesI partner with Tarkett on brand strategy and productdevelopment I was also co-curator of the CollectionsInfinies along with Chris Stulpin senior vice president ofdesign for Tarkett North America
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and howwas the experienceNo I have been a consultant at Tandus Centiva since2005
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology is advancing the flooring industry and ourbuilt environment Can you expand on this Collections Infinies is the first digitally printed LVTflooring product in North America With digital printingthe possibilities are endless when it comes to imageryAnd because repeat sizes are longer you get morevariation within your tiles mdash resulting in a dynamic floorplane Aside from expanding the design parametersCollections Infinies invites the user to co-create withindustry-leading designers through a specially developedonline visualizer tool
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionCollections Infinies is manufactured in the United SatesLocal manufacturing is kickstarting a new wave ofsustainability because it advances all three pillars ofsustainability mdash environmental social and economic
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out anynew commercial flooring designs in the future This month we expanded the Trans-Materia Collectionswith the addition of Rib Weave
2X4Georgie Stout founding partnerA brand strategist for cultural and commercial clients who value thepower of design
8What is your design name and inspirationWe collaborated with Tarkett to create Riot mdash acollection of floor tiles based on a riotous collage offlorals The artwork pixelates to create a secondpattern we call Static in the same color palettesallowing for smooth transitions or interestingpattern juxtapositions
8What are three words that best describe the design Collage garish pixelated
8How did you become involved with Tarkett andthe Collections InfiniesIrsquove worked with designer Suzanne Tick before ontextiles and was excited to try another medium
8Is this your entrance into flooring design andhow was the experienceWe work on many types of graphic environmentsbut more typically on one of a kind executionsWersquove done commercial wall coverings textilesand even carpeting before but never floor tiles
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand onthis The resolution available through this technologyallows for much more complex design ideas mdashincluding realistic photographic images finer linesgradients and amazing color While similarcapabilities have been achieved in carpet I thinkthis is a significant departure for LVT which makesadditional flooring options available to more people
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionSustainability is very important in this industrywhere design can either support or by contrastreally contribute to the problem
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling outany new commercial flooring designs in thefuture In March we expanded our Riot Static pattern bylaunching Riot Static-Static which is a transitionfrom one color to another within the Riot Staticpattern We will continue to work in the brandedenvironment in retail and cultural spaces and haveno immediate plans for another product like thisBut wersquore always open to the next thing
Continued on page 16
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
GOPROFILE
16 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Sagmeister amp Walsh Stefan Sagmeister designerA celebrated graphic designer with a visionfor how subjects of daily life can betransformed through design to moreaccurately describe our existence
8What is your design name and inspiration Our product design is Alphabet and the core of what we dois situated within communication design I wanted to createsomething that has a meaning and message but still allowsthe end user to interpret and add to the story in a timelyway I didnrsquot want to go back in time but rather look forwardtoward real cultural contrasts From this my team atSagmeister amp Walsh created two visual vocabularies Thehard yet beautiful lines of the typography and the softercloudier shapes to create a gentle contrast
8What are three words that best describe the designPersonal human direct
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and theCollections Infinies I met Chris Stulpin senior vice president of design for TarkettNorth America at a Contract Forum event where I wasgiving a talk on beauty As Chris was developing the idea forCollectionss Infinies he recalled my words and reached outto partner We always love to create work on the edge oreven slightly outside our immediate profession These are thespaces where the most exciting projects are possible
8Is this your entrance into flooring design and how wasthe experienceThe Sagmeister amp Walsh team approached this with the ideaof how people could use our words and how we couldspread happiness with our product Typography is apassion and I wanted to see how that translated into a floor
8Collections Infinies is an example of how technology isadvancing the flooring industry and our builtenvironment Can you expand on this We are allowed to push the boundaries of what peoplethink is possible This technology allows for nearly anydesign a person dreams to come to realization opening thedoor for designers and thinkers alike
8How important is sustainability in this conversation ofevolutionItrsquos vastly important to discuss sustainability when talkingabout the evolution of products The way we see a companylike Tarkett design product conception begins withdiscussing the ability to reuse materials in the floor once acustomer is ready to replace it
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any newcommercial flooring designs in the future As part of our work on Collections Infinies we have startedto work on some ideas connected to walking on sunshineWersquoll see if we can pull them off
DB KIMA conceptual and constructivepractitioner a commentator oncreativity a sophisticated travelerand citizen of the world
8What is your design name and inspirationMy design is named Crystal and there is nothingmore inspiring to me than the beauty of the naturalworld mdash especially stone and crystal The rays oflight and complex textures created by naturalgems are something Irsquom continually drawn toEverywhere I go there are light and shadowsWhen light hits a crystal rays of rainbow color spillacross the ground Beams of light Laces ofshadows that spill across a space The power ofprismatic reflection
8What are three words that best describe thedesign Reflective conceptual vast
8How did you become involved with Tarkett and the Collections Infinies One of Tarkettrsquos brands is known for beautifulhospitality flooring and I liked the idea of workingin the flooring medium mdash something new for me mdashwhere the end user could take my vision andmake it their own
8Collections Infinies is an example of howtechnology is advancing the flooring industryand our built environment Can you expand on this New materials and technology push conventional-thinking designers like myself and it improves ourdaily lives I truly believe that
8How important is sustainability in thisconversation of evolutionTarkett is leading the way for flooring companieswhen it comes to sustainability To know thatproducts can be recycled into another flooringproduct when itrsquos time to change the design is anice feeling With Tarkett sustainability is built intothe function of many of its floors
8Whatrsquos next for you and will you be rolling out any new commercial flooring designs in the future I have another Collections Infinies design that is indevelopment and will launch later this year(September 2017)
Continued from page 15
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
usfcontractcom
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED RENEWABLE HARDWOOD
Midtown Revival
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
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Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
18 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
At Tulalip Resort Casino inWashington state eventhe hallway carpeting
tells a story using patterns thatpay homage to the rich traditionsof the Tulalip Tribe This dynam-ic form of textile storytelling wastranslated into soft-surface floor-ing using Durkanrsquos Definity tech-nology
The Tulalip (pronounced tuh-lay-lip) Tribe lives on the shores ofPuget Sound and owns the 370-room luxury resort casino Thehotel has always celebrated itsNative American heritage featur-ing vibrant South Coast Salish art-work and textures So when itcame time to renovate the corri-dors the question became Howcould the resort weave togetherfour-diamond luxury the connec-tion to heritage and the integrity oftribal artistry in the new flooring
ldquoOur brand is about quality itrsquosabout welcome itrsquos about the cul-turerdquo said Sam Askew general
manager Tulalip Resort Casino ldquoWe want-ed to tell that story and carry the culture
not in a way that is so in your face but in away that you recognize that this story isimportant to the Tulalip people We want-ed something that really presents that wel-come and that feeling of potlatch that theSalish people are known for We wanted tobe able to take the artwork off the wallsand have you know by the flooring thatyou are seeing a Tulalip roomrdquo
Stephanie Ellis-Carmody of IDI Studioin Seattle and lead designer on the projectsaid Durkanrsquos Definity carpet was perfectfor this custom-designed project It offersluxurious weight (54 ounces) Colorstrandnylon which has unsurpassed colorfast-ness to light atmospheric contaminantsand harsh cleaning agents and the capa-bility to render complex designs ldquoWithDefinity we were able to achieve somehighs and lows within the tufting processto give definition shaping shadowing andsome overall luster to the carpetrdquo she said
Definity technology allowed thedesigners to be precise with design andcolor placement ldquoWhen we put the rightcolors in place it gave a texture like therocky beaches and shores along the bayrdquoAskew said ldquoEven the colors in the guestrooms with the striping is indicative of the
project tulalip resort casinorenovation tulalip wash
objectives textile storytelling to weavetogether four-diamond luxury theconnection to heritage and theintegrity of tribal artistry from theground up
product specified durkan definityproject manager sam askew
tulalip resort casinolead designer stephanie ellis-
carmody idi studio seattledurkanrsquos advantages
high-quality luxury weight (54 ounces)colorstrand nylon mdash unsurpassedcolorfastnessheightened design capabilityprecision and customization
TULALIPRESORT CASINO
GOPROJECT
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 19
weaving thatrsquos done throughout TulaliprdquoThe project itself was a dance in team-
work Durkan designers on the East Coastand West Coast worked with tribal arti-sans to incorporate into the carpet designthree culturally significant animals to theTulalip the orca the salmon and theeagle They also made sure the colors andpatterns embraced the heritage of theTulalip and the land on which they lived
The unveiling of the new carpet was
an event few will forget Ellis-Carmodydescribed it as truly a ldquowowrdquo momentldquoWalking off the elevator for the first timeand stepping foot on the Definity productfeels luxurious from the moment your foottouches itrdquo Ellis-Carmody explainedldquoThen visually there is so much texturewith this carpet so much is going on thatit really adds to the overall character ofthe carpetrdquo
For Askew the unveiling was a touch-
ing moment that proved that even carpetin a hotel corridor can move people mdashwhen it is done right ldquoWe have an entiretribe a family of individuals that we hadto representrdquo he said ldquoI was most nervousabout the design of the carpet notbecause of the process the process wasfantastic Durkan made that as great aspossible and they knew the importanceof it
ldquoI was nervous because the vision thatwe had as a team to try to verbalize thatitrsquos hard to do So when you have triballeaders come and see the carpet for thefirst time and they get emotional and tearup because they understand that weunderstand their story their struggles toget to this point it is an amazing feelingrdquo
ldquoi believe so much in durkan theproduct and the teamwork allthose things have been fantastic sositting here and raving about durkanis a natural and easy thing to dobecause itrsquos a true storyrdquo
ndash sam askew project manager
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
Schoumlnox AP APF and AST For cleaner and safer subfl oor installations
Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
the DNA of the company we are just try-ing to be a good citizen of the world andrealize we all need to do something tocounteract global warmingrdquo
To reduce its globalwarming potential (GWP)the US fiber mill will nowoperate using mostlywind energy (90) aswell as hydro-electric
power (8) and solar (2) Rossinoted the significance mdash a 50 dropin carbon emissions mdash of convertingto renewable energy ldquoFor example
instead of 5 kilos ofcarbon dioxide emit-ted per 1 kilo of prod-uct by using renew-able resources ourcarbon emissiondrops to 25 kilosrdquo hesaid ldquoEven though all
of this is technically intangible the impactwill be hugerdquo
While the switch to wind water andsunlight comes at a greater monetary costto Aquafil USA the company does notintend to change its product quality orprice structure ldquoWe will absorb the pricedifferencerdquo Rossi assured ldquoOur goal is sim-ply to provide our customers with prod-ucts that have the lowest carbon footprintpossiblerdquo
Continuing to expand and evolve sus-tainable initiatives Rossi said AquafilUSArsquos next big push will be to move theneedle on its Econyl product from 50 to100 post-consumer waste Econyl cur-rently uses approximately 50 post-con-sumer and 50 post-industrial waste
In March Aquafil USA mdash a subsidiary ofItalian-based Aquafil SpA a leader inPolyamide 6 synthetic polymers andfibers mdash completed its two-fold energyupdate activating a new fully dedicatedelectric substation and moving to 100renewable energysources The fiberextrusion plant wasinaugurated in 2006Eleven years laterthanks to an agree-ment signed with thecity of Cartersvilleelectric departmentAquafil USA is nolonger using fossil fuelsto power the facility
ldquoWe do not have any eco-nomic model to justify ourdecisionsrdquo explained FrancoRossi president ldquoItrsquos more in
GOPLATFORM
cartersville workers exceeded the plantrsquos energy update schedule by morethan a week
reigns renewable
AQUAFIL USA
20 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
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Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
Using the same old leveling materials can be so irritating - to your installers your customers and your environment Our line of synthetic gypsum subfl ooring products offer low VOCs contributions to LEED credits recycled content dust-reduced properties superior performance and much more Visit hpsubfl oorscom for all the details
Dust issuesDust issuesDust issues
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Dust REDUCED
HPS North America Inc is a TMT America Company
Toll Free 8553912649 wwwhpsubfl oorscom
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
22 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Hard surfaces are bursting onto the scene in hospitalitydesign and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is spearheading theswing While broadloomrsquos luxury looks and noise-dead-
ening qualities have held fast for years hard surfacersquos increasedvariety of styles patterns and sizes mdash specifically LVT solutions mdashare gaining wider acceptance and starting to take market share
ldquoAmong the hottest trends impacting the selection of hardsurfaces in hospitality settings are new shapesrdquo noted VeronicaSandoval RID an interior designer at ForrestPerkinsrsquo Dallasoffice ldquoWe are seeing a lot of hexagonal rhombus and evenasymmetrical patterns increase interestrdquo
New shapes are not only adding intrigue to a space butdesigners are also utilizing new offerings to advance wayfindingcapabilities with alternating colors and patterns ldquoLarger andwider formats are being used to make common spaces look big-gerrdquo said Jeremy Salomon senior product manager at Tarkett
ldquoAnd loose lay LVT for example is being used for design effectsthat canrsquot be done with other products for installation reasonsrdquo
Hospitality leaders mdash from select service to five-star propertiesmdash are also moving toward a modern residential feel which LVTlends itself to ldquoLVT products provide a broad spectrum of designgoals mdash everything from basic wood visuals that serve as a back-drop allowing other finishes to become the focus to non-woodvisuals with bold and clean patternsrdquo said Christy Schofielddirector of hard surface for Mohawk Group and Durkan
In fact many properties use a hardsoft surface combination intheir attempt to incorporate residential design with high-perform-ance easy-maintenance products Mohawk Group for instanceoffers coordinating hard and soft surface products and colorpalettes specifically for these types of designs Schofield said
Robert Stuckey Shaw Contractrsquos director for hospitality andretail agreed ldquoThere is also pent-up demand for flooring featur-
GOCOVER STORY
faceliftHOSPITALITYrsquoS
HARD SURFACE faceliftBY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 23
ing more texture and less pattern which can be achieved bycombining soft and hard surfaces By incorporating a mix ofcoordinating products we can provide added design flexibilitymdash with some degree of styled residential aestheticrdquo
Alexandria LaPree vice president of sales To Market Globalnoted ldquoDesigners are always looking for fun fresh and durabledesign ideas in hospitality products LVT can mimic the residen-tial comforts of a wood floor bedroom yet take the abuse thathotel rooms experiencerdquo
This example mdash the guest room mdash is especially poignant asldquocow pathsrdquo from the door into the room between the bed and infront of the closet show wear much faster on broadloom whichmay require replacing the entire floor With LVT LaPree noted itrsquosmuch easier and more cost effective to replace small areas asneeded ldquoWersquore finding success in this arena with our OzoGrip5mm-thick LVT in particular as traditionally styled hotels tendtoward our wood look while more contemporary hotels areappreciating the granite concrete slate and metal stylesrdquo
Quality commercial LVT such as Novalisrsquo AVA line alsoenables designers to achieve a high-end look where budget lim-itations may preclude other flooring choices ldquoRather than set-tling for something less or compromising the look of the spaceour AVA collection lets designers have their cake and eat it toordquosaid Mark Hansen vice president North America
Typically hotels want unique inviting interiors created withhigh-performance easy-maintenance products that stand up toheavy foot traffic LVT checks all these boxes and offers long-term savings to owners said Howard Montgomery creativedesign director Armstrong Flooring ldquoOn the front end LVT maybe initially more expensive than carpet but because it is moredurable it can last twice as long with lower maintenance costswhich continues to be hospitalityrsquos biggest challengerdquo
Al Boulogne vice president hard surface ManningtonCommercial agreed ldquoHotel owners love the fact LVT will lasttwo to three times as long as carpet You can now update theroom every five to seven years and leave the flooring alonerdquo
FLEXIBILITY CUSTOMIZATION ENHANCE DESIGN THEMESFloor design in new and renovated hospitality properties vary
widely depending on the application and client For instancelarger hotel groups maintain standard products for all proper-ties while boutique hotels tend to emulate very individual aesthetics ldquoWe are still seeing people get creative with designsin both renovations and new constructionrdquo ForrestPerkinsrsquoSandoval reported ldquoThe ability to customize in terms of sizeshape and color gives designers a lot of flexibility when they finda style that fits their design conceptrdquo
Flooring producers often work closely with clientele to helpensure products match the desired aesthetic and meet perform-ance and budgetary goals ldquoIn common areas itrsquos the lsquoWildWestrsquordquo Manningtonrsquos Boulogne observed ldquo[There are] lots of dif-ferent approaches including the bold use of color and uniqueabstract patterns to upscale dark hardwood visuals that set themood in upscale dining environmentsrdquo
Nature remains a powerful influence in the segment as evi-denced by widespread use of natural and reclaimed materialsldquoLarge format porcelain tile with the true look of stone is veryuseful in public spacesrdquo said Doug Detiveaux RID a designer atGensler Houstonrsquos hospitality studio He noted however thatprice point and slip-resistant requirements can still be a challenge
When budgets and other factors negate the use of naturalmaterials in certain projects however designers often turn toproducts such as LVT to replicate their look and feel mdash some-
opposite page last year karndean launched its kaleidoscopecustom program comprised of six modular designs utilizing itsmost popular colors from standard product ranges kaleidoscopeshapes have complementary scale and angles which are designedto fit together
top left located in cityway a 14-acre neighborhooddevelopment in downtown indianapolis gensler designed thealexander to not only create an architectural statement but toinfuse the hotel with history as well as art pictured is lvt fromtajima flooring
top right tuf stufrsquos new think ahead collection of lvtincludes vibrant and inspiring designs that are constructed touphold the heaviest of traffic with true durability
Continued on page 24
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
24 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
times with added benefits ldquoDurability is paramount in the hospi-tality settingrdquo Genslerrsquos Detiveaux said ldquoHard surfaces are get-ting better at replicating the look of marbles and other stonesrdquo
Not only does LVT look good but it costs less than manyhardwood tile and stone products and without the hassle of chal-lenging and time-consuming installations ldquoLVT can easilybe cut and laid into various patterns wherewood stone and abstract visuals can all becombined without the worry of differentthicknessesrdquo noted Dale Carson vicepresident of international sales andnational accounts ShannonSpecialty Floors
While providing specifierswith greater design freedom isone of LVTrsquos calling cardsexperts say the product offers ahost of other benefits whichmakes it a viable option for hospi-tality ldquoGuest rooms are a big oppor-tunity for hard surface applicationwhere issues such as sound absorptionand better performance in bathrooms arerequiredrdquo Shawrsquos Stuckey said ldquoThere is alsoincreasing use of LVT in public spaces restaurantbar spacesand fitnessspa areasrdquo
Many major hotel chains prefer to create custom interiordesigns specific to their brand and only seen on their propertiesldquoThis type of brand-specific customization is something that isvery easy for Mohawk Group to provide for our customersrdquoSchofield said ldquoThe sky is the limit from a realistic embossed-in-register wood visual to bright pops of color to showcase the floorrdquo
One of the beauties of LVT is it can be customized to includegraphics colors and patterns providing designers with flexibilityto create individuality within a space ldquoNew technology in directdigital printing will revolutionize the custom options for the hos-pitality designer as manufacturing catches up to offer this capa-bility with low project SF minimumsrdquo said Keith Bensch
Shannonrsquos vice president of sales ldquoItrsquos exciting to see interiorsbeing designed with LVT in spaces where carpet and hard tilewere used exclusively in the pastrdquo
Karndean LVT is made to be customizable and its model iscomponent-based meaning the floors can be used in conjunctionwith inlays and grout strips to blend multiple products into the
same floor design ldquoLast year we launched ourKaleidoscope custom program which comprises
six modular designs utilizing our most pop-ular colors from our standard productrangesrdquo said Emil Mellow director ofpublic relations ldquoKaleidoscopeshapes have complementaryscale and angles which are cre-ated to fit together offeringdesigners and architects unpar-alleled flexibilityrdquoArmstrongrsquos Montgomery
agreed the great advantage LVTprovides is its inherent and limit-less design flexibility for exclusive
signature solutions ldquoDesigners cancreate borders frames visual and spatial
partitioning environmental accents or cen-tering visual and endless patternsrdquo Armstrongrsquos
Natural Creations Luxury Flooring with Diamond 10 Technologyoffers an array of modular shapes and sizes inspired by the nat-ural beauty of wood as well as the colors and organic variationsof stone and distinctive woven appearance of textiles
Metroflorrsquos Aspecta LVT is positioned as an excellent materi-al for custom floor designs for a variety of reasons ldquoLooking atour two dry back collections Aspecta One and Aspecta Fiveyou can play with different layouts like a herringbone or alter-nating rows of colorrdquo noted Robert Langstaff director of designldquoYou can mix colors from the same collection to create a lsquopalletwoodrsquo look or rustic feel and use two colors in a lsquostair steprsquo lay-out for drama and traffic flowrdquo
Products such as Tarkettrsquos Collections Infinies enable cus-tomization and co-creation with patterns by renowned design-
GOCOVER STORY
Continued from page 23
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 25
ers including DB Kim Suzanne Tick KampCo and 2X4 InFebruary Tarkett expanded the platform with the addition ofStefan Sagmeister of Sagmeister amp Walsh an artist best knownfor his work with HBO the Rolling Stones and the Guggenheim
ldquoYou can then customize your color and put your own spinon itrdquo Salomon said ldquoDesigners love it because they can createunique spacesrdquo In addition to new looks Collections Infinies fea-tures an enhanced co-creation and visualization tool that enrich-es the experience of bringing design to life digitally
SUSTAINABLE FLOORING CHOICESWhile color and design are major selling points equally impor-tant is the sustainability story of hard surfaces Concerns overmeeting LEED building requirements have been greatlyreduced as more flooring producers list environmental andhealth data
LVT is becoming completely transparent with the advent ofHPDs (Health Product Declarations) and EPDs (EnvironmentalProduct Declarations) making it 100 recyclable and sustain-able Shannonrsquos Bensch noted ldquoNewer LVT in PVC-free formula-tions are inherently sustainable and are seeing increased usagerdquo
Environmentally friendly LVT options such as PVC-freeplanks and tiles are driving a whole new fast-growing subset ofclients in the market segment And unlike some resilient floorsLVT does not require a surface polish which would have to bestripped and reapplied at least annually ldquoThe products used tostrip the polish off of the floors are toxic and can adversely affectground waterrdquo Shannonrsquos Carson pointed out ldquoOur LVTs areLEED certified and can be recycledrdquo
ldquoMost LVT floors can be easily and quickly cleaned with adamp mop and a mild cleanser if neededrdquo said RochelleRoutman Metroflorrsquos chief sustainability officer ldquoLVT in bath-rooms for example is a wonderful alternative to tile becausethere are no grout lines to clean mdash again avoiding harsh chemi-cals like bleach mdash and there is more uniformity in appearancerdquo
Manufacturersrsquo own environmental commitments are alsotop-of-mind with the advancements of hard-surface offeringsldquoWe provide clean safe and conducive work environments inthe communities we manufacturerdquo Metroflorrsquos Langstaff said
ldquoWe are transparent about our products and what they containWe continually strive to improve all facets of providing the prod-uct mdash from manufacturing design and service to materials deliv-ery and reclamationrdquo
Armstrongrsquos OnampOn Recycling Program helps clients savemoney while also keeping flooring materials out of landfills ldquoAnational program OnampOn Recycling is a closed-loop processmeaning reclaimed materials are recycled into new Armstrongflooringrdquo Montgomery said ldquoThe OnampOn Recycling Program isflexible mdash reclaiming our own LVT and VCT flooring as well asother qualified products including competitorsrdquo
Many vendors made a concerted effort to develop productsthat include more recycled content to help eliminate waste andpollution while creating eco-friendly production processes Forexample Mohawk offers options with renewable bio-based andrecycled content made in America to help achieve LEED pointsKarndean floors are recyclable phthalate free emit low VOCsand qualify for LEED points
Tarkett reports it is focused on developing Cradle 2 Cradlecertified products and its ReStart program takes back productat end of life Shaw Contractrsquos hard surface options are rigorous-ly tested to ensure they suit the needs of commercial environ-ments Stuckey said
Novalis reports its AVA collection features LVT which meetsrigorous standards on a worldwide basis ldquoOur LVT is made withvirgin vinyl plus we provide complete transparency with EPDHPD and Declare labelingrdquo Hansen said
left tajima flooring lvt at hotel sorella in houston provides afour-star experience within a strict three-star budget
center novalisrsquo ava collection features rich exotic wood lookspictured is australian pecanndashwinter available in a glue down looselay or clic installation
right luxury vinyl plank products such as armstrongrsquos naturalcreations with diamond 10 technology can create an upscalewood floor look
opposite page inset shaw contractrsquos solitude lvt wasinstalled at the lorenzo hotel in dallas
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet fall 2016 i GO i 26
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
26 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
enhance the emotional connections injectenergy and movement or simply helpkeep the mind engagedrdquo
For instance Jason Surratt seniordirector ndash custom design and developmentfor Mohawk Industries noted carpetrsquos abil-ity to help reflect locale ldquoOne of the biggesttrends wersquore seeing is convention centersmoving away from the feeling of an isolat-ed beige boxrdquo he said ldquoToday designersare integrating centers with the cities thatsurround them Carpet is still an integralpiece that adds to this thought processrdquo
Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed that similar toother macro trends in commercial interi-ors convention centers and expo hallsare focusing more on the user experiencemdash both for clients hosting events and forattendees ldquoThis often begins with creatingan emotional connection to the geogra-phy of a destination by bringing elementsof the culture inwardrdquo she said
Expanding on this idea MarkStrohmaier vice president of marketingfor Millikenrsquos floor covering division
noted both design and function as criticalroles of flooring in todayrsquos convention cen-ters ldquoThis is one of the largest planes toconvey a design aesthetic and help visi-tors innately move throughout an expan-sive propertyrdquo he said ldquoCustom carpetsnot only allow convention centers toreflect the uniqueness of their location butalso enhance the experience and functionof a space with new features being builtinto the products to prevent costly floor-ing failures from taking placerdquo
INNOVATIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAKEPRECEDENCE So what new attributes and features aresoft surface products bringing to the con-vention center floor Lori Naig IIDA prin-cipal interiors at LMN Architects inSeattle said the firm pushes all carpetmanufacturers to produce on many lev-els ldquoThe fibers must perform but also thepatterns installation methods and utiliza-tion of multiple scales or colors that allowus to manipulate a pattern for a spacerdquo
In plain English convention centers arelarge buildings designed to hold confer-ences where individuals and groupsgather to promote and share commoninterests While the basic functions of con-vention centers remain intact theirappeal today is largely driven by the aes-thetics and experiences they offerFlooring while not always the focal pointof these attributes remains a key player insetting the foundation for varying spaceshoused within todayrsquos multi-use meet-upspots And as the convention centers ofyesterday evolve innovations in soft sur-face flooring have stepped up to addressnew demands in the segment
ldquoBecause these buildings no longerconform to the limitations of how we tradi-tionally define a space the flooring planecan be viewed as an opportunity to adaptto the flexibility of convention interiorsrdquosaid Kris Stanfield communications man-ager Shaw Contract ldquo[Today] flooring canbe used to define specific areas buildscale for impact help with way-finding
GOPRODUCT
Convention centers create local dynamic experiences with innovative soft-surface solutions BY SARAH BOUSQUET
Roll out the CUSTOM CARPET
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 27
she explained ldquoNot tomention the AampD community is push-
ing for green products that promotehealth and wellnessrdquo
Advancements in technology arelargely responsible for carpetrsquos increaseddesign performance and sustainablecapabilities For example Franco Rossipresident of Aquafil USA noted that in thepast if there was a need for larger graph-ics carpet was limited to printing thedesign However new innovations in tuft-ing machinery with individual needlecontrol have allowed solution-dyed yarnsto become an option again ldquoWith thiscomes an increased importance in theavailability of colors in the yarn line tomeet the needs of specific color schemesrdquohe said ldquoWe happen to offer the largestcolor line of solution-dyed yarns in theindustry mdash 360 colors in our Chomacasaline and 142 global colorsrdquo
The yarn manufacturer also bolsters acommitment to eco-conscious solutions asthe creator of Econyl fiber mdash the only com-mercially available ingredient made of100 regenerated material with at least50 being post-consumer waste
Along with equipment advancesMohawkrsquos Surratt mentioned coordinatingproduct lines as a way to provide cus-tomized designs specific to not only thecenterrsquos location but also the unique needsof individual spaces within the centerldquoConvention centers are huge customopportunities for usrdquo he said noting todaymost are custom jobs ldquoMachine innovation
has allowed for alarger cut pattern repeat so we
can create a specific pattern thatflares toward a specific regionalityrdquo
he said ldquoFrom a cost perspective howev-er designers are looking to include multi-ple standard products within one uniquespace to create a customized aestheticrdquo
Mohawkrsquos interactive studio teamplans to roll out a customizable photo-real-istic virtual tour to further help clients withtime cost and environmental savingsldquoWith 3D goggles designers will be able tolook down and see the flooring of theirchoicersquos pattern and texture within theirown spacerdquo Surratt said ldquoThis will savetime money and waste in the sample cre-ation process and help specifiers make aninformed final decision much fasterrdquo
Milliken also offers several tools tosupport customization capabilities andtransform larger hospitality spaces Themillrsquos online tool for its Eacutetage collectionsallows designers to create one-of-a-kindcustom flooring by layering patternsmotifs and colors while its InCode tech-nology enables modular carpet withexpansive patterning to be easily installedand replaced in the future
Strohmaier also pointed to anincreased demand for modular productsfrom a sustainability standpoint notingless waste during install and the option ofreplacing single tiles versus the entire floor
LMNrsquos Naig added how important thescaling of large spaces has become fur-thering the use of modular solutions ldquoWeare using both tile and broadloom in thesetypes of projectsrdquo she said ldquoBroadloom isluxurious and really durable but facilitiesalso like to be able to change things outwithout having someone come on siterdquo
She and Shawrsquos Stanfield agreed whilecarpet is mandatory in some spaces mdashoffering a rich solution with large patternsand complex colorations comfort under-foot and necessary acoustic control mdash theability to mix soft and hard surface istrending ldquoAs spaces evolve into a succinctexperience we continue to exploreenhanced visuals And itrsquos important to beprepared for shifts in market demand andprovide a variety of products and formatsthat give ample options for pattern con-struction and texture preferencesrdquoStanfield explained
While client preferences still dictate aproject she said more often than not sus-tainable products are expected whendesigning commercial spaces mdash keeping inmind health and safety impacts lowVOCs recyclable materials and third-party certification
ldquoCarpet has been in a lot of zones formany years and now wersquore strategicallypulling back in some spaces mdash lobbies andfood areas for examplerdquo Naig said ldquoBy try-ing to include some hard surface flooringto temper the use of carpet we increaseour green building options and the carpetactually becomes more special in quietareas and meeting zonesrdquo
from left lmn utilizedmillikenrsquos technology to compliment
other design elements at the meydenbauerconvention center carpet by shawhospitality added to the unique experienceof the uncommon ted conference centerin vancouver canada and the craft housein louisville ky features durkan carpet
background new technology allows forcustom designs that help the flow of a largespace like this design from shaw contract inthe mall of america in minneapolis
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
28 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
Human health and wellbeing are no longer justpart of ldquoindoor environmentalrdquo credits From theWell Building Standard that assesses features of
the built environment to LEED v4 which emphasizesthe importance of designing healthy high-perform-ance buildings the impact of green spaces from aholistic standpoint is solidly gaining recognition
The key to understanding the impact of healthand wellbeing is transparency andeducation Transparency provides visibility andaccessibility to informationwhile education allows us tomake better decisions aboutproducts and companies
TRANSPARENCY NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALLTransparency cannot bedefined as a single solutiontool or designation Insteadthink of transparency as atoolbox and like any toolboxthe user must know how toproperly use the tools to cre-ate a successful outcome
Some transparency toolsare geared toward productswhile others are focused on building or manufactur-ing operations Then there are tools that specificallyaddress human health mdash this brings us to the inter-section of wellness and sustainability
With a variety of tools available many offeringthe same functionality the choice of which to usecan be confusing For example the US GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) lists 20 acceptable third-party certifications and programs that meet the gen-eral emissions requirements for the LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit The number of productemission certification tools available can be over-whelming although many are based on theCalifornia Department of Public Health StandardTest Method for VOC Emissions (CDPH v11 2010)
which is also known as California Section 1350 Thistest method is incorporated in many green buildingrating standards and codes
Should the creation of transparency tools growover time at the same rate as product emissionstools knowing which to use will be increasingly diffi-cult Even with tools that are based on the same testmethod manufacturers can run into the issue of deal-ers or retailers requesting specific third-party prod-uct certifications Requiring manufacturers to obtain
multiple certifications for the sameproduct attribute does little to add tothe transparency of the product andincreases costs for both parties
PRODUCT CONTENTThe desire for healthy buildings hascreated the demand for product con-tent transparency OSHA hasrequired chemical manufacturersand importers to evaluate the haz-ards of the chemicals they produceand distribute since 1983Information about the hazards andassociated protective measures mustbe shared on container labels andsafety data sheets (SDS)
Per OSHA regulations mostbuilding products mdash includingflooring mdash do not require SDSwhich is partially why organi-
zations like the Healthy ProductDeclaration Collaborative and the Living FuturesInstitute have developed the Health ProductDeclarations labels The flaw with these tools is thatwhile a chemical may be an ingredient in a productthat does not necessarily mean people will beexposed to it in a specific spaceuse
MEASURING TRANSPARENCYOne of the most common transparency tools is life
Transparency Wherewellness meets sustainabilityBY AMY COSTELLO PE LEED-AP O+M
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER ARMSTRONG FLOORING
GOPERSPECTIVE
Continued on page 38
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
Complete specs at roppecom
18005379527
LEATHERSTIMBERS
NORTHERN
NORTHERN
FROM HIGH MAINTENANCETAKE A BREAK
P R E M I U M V I N Y L L E AT H E R T I L E ampP R E M I U M V I N Y L W O O D P L A N K TIMBERS
LEATHERS
Welcome customers to a comforting environment with environmentally friendly and fully recyclable vinyl plank and tile from Roppe Our Northern Timbers offer timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures while Northern Leathers brings the look of expensive leather fl ooring with added durability and ease of maintenance
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
30 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
As social sustainability gains main-stream market traction the designcommunity is stepping up its efforts
to match the stride mdash focusing on theimpacts projects have on communities andpeople and using design and architectureas the social tool to make them better
Social sustainability is about creating abetter world through the leveragedpower of the market economy an ideawith roots in the triple bottom lineapproach mdash people planet and profit mdashcoined in 1994 by John Elkington a world
authority on corporate responsibility andsustainable development The idea hashad significant ramifications for designprofessionals who increasingly find them-selves seeking solutions that reflect theimportance of social responsibility
GIVING BACK Since its inception in post-HurricaneKatrina New Orleans Perkins+Will hascommitted substantial resources to itsSocial Purpose Program making socialpurpose a highly visible core valueProjects are selected based on nonprofitstatus financial need and compatibility
with Perkins+Willrsquos values of enhancinglives and strengthening communitiesthrough architecture At GiGirsquos PlayhouseDown Syndrome Achievement CentersPerkins+Will worked with the mother of aDown Syndrome child to create a proto-type space critical to unlocking the poten-tial of the individuals who use it With akitchen for teaching food prep speechpathology classroom performance stageand gym to teach fitness the prototypedesign has been expanded now to 30Gigirsquos Playhouses worldwide
ldquoWe measure success by bringing ourprofessional skills and services to a not forprofit like GiGirsquos with a mission and visionto uplift an aspect of the social fabricwhile doing good design at the same timerdquosaid Mark Jolicoeur national director of Perkins+Willrsquos Social ResponsibilityInitiative ldquoDo we feel good about the workwe are doing Yes But we really feel hum-bled by the work GiGirsquos Playhouse is
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial sidecreating a better world is
increasingly good business
GOPLATFORM
left j+j flooring group is a major contributor to social support organizationslike the salvation army and united way ofnorthwest georgia providing more than$3 million to the united way alone overthe past 20 years
BY LIZ SWITZER
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 31
doing It is so moving to see how thesechildren are learningrdquo
For Sarahrsquos Circle in Chicago anorganization that helps homeless womenand victims of domestic violence get backon their feet Perkins+Will donated probono hours to help consolidate the organi-zationrsquos shelter and services into one loca-tion This allowed the group to serve 30more women ldquoWersquore not doing thisbecause itrsquos going to get us more workrdquoJolicoeur explained ldquoWersquore doing itbecause itrsquos the right thing to do What wedo as a profession what we do in the builtenvironment in good design and withproviding our expertise not only for ourpaying clients but to provide access tothose who could not otherwise afford ourservices makes for better communitiesrdquo
The triple bottom line for globalarchitecture and engineering firm HOKsupports and empowers the communi-ties the company serves around the
world through architecture HOK Impactis the firmrsquos comprehensive strategicapproach to corporate social responsibil-ity which falls into three categories pro-fessional services charitable donationsand volunteerism HOK began the probono project in 2011 as an initiative toleverage the scale and capacity of itsenormous resources
In 2015 HOK celebrated its 60th
anniversary as a firm marking the occa-sion with every office dedicating at least60 hours of service ldquoThat number wasblown out of the water with more than2000 hours of servicerdquo said Sean QuinnHOK Impact chairman Connecting on aregional then national level the Impact isnow a global program HOKrsquos Londonoffice medical planning group for exam-ple teamed with engineers in SanFranciscorsquos office to create a health carecenter in Zambia
HOK also engages in large-scale proj-ects like stadiums that directly influencelocal economies ldquoHopefully what thatmeans long term is we are getting to knowthe affected community a lot better butwersquore also helping to create a bridgebetween the client and that communityrdquoQuinn said ldquoWith any kind of projectthere can be animosity or just a case of
unknowingness and this helps to breakdown that barrierrdquo
Sometimes social projects even helpalign the firm with more for-profit work headded such as a new justice centerhomeless shelter and outreach center inModesto Calif ldquoThis is working with thecommunity in a non-traditional way as anarchitect and really trying to coalesce itsvarious needs mdash the people who are affect-ed as well as the whole city and its
SUSTAINABILITYrsquoSsocial side
above hok is collaborating withnonprofit aumazo on the design of a net-zero energy school for girls in ruralcameroon africa hok team memberscontributed more than 100 pro bono hoursduring the initial concept design phase
above hok has provided substantial resources to help build thesachibondu hospital which serves acatchment area of what is thought to be inexcess of 30000 people on the Zambianborder with the democratic republic ofcongo and angola
Continued on page 32
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
method of trying to address a systemicsocial issuerdquo Quinn said
SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELLNESSDesign firms have to be aware of how theirwork impacts the wellness of end usersand health is a critical component ofsocial wellness No one knows moreabout that connection than George Bandyvice president of sustainability atMohawk Group former chairman of theUS Green Building Council and creator ofits social equity credit As a global compa-ny Mohawk has several approaches tothe way in which it delivers on social sus-tainability The most visible internalefforts currently in place are the compa-nyrsquos Healthy Life Centers Located insideMohawkrsquos plants the centers are staffedwith nurse practitioners who evaluateemployees through biometric studies andassign a life coach to address areas thatneed improvement
Mohawk also has a long-standingrelationship with the Susan G Komenfoundation celebrating its 14th year ofpartnership in 2015 with cumulativedonations over $51 million But do cus-tomers really care about these effortsldquoAbsolutelyrdquo Bandy said ldquoI view it thisway If you value a company or what acompany does as an organization thenyou will find something you want to buyfrom them It raises the bar as to how yourcompany is viewedrdquo
PRODUCTrsquoS SOCIAL ROLESEcore Commercial Flooring is anothercompany pushing the social responsibili-ty frontier By taking its social commit-ment literally Ecore focuses on the inter-action between people and surface ldquoWeare creating our own definition Sustainand Abilityrdquo said Bo Barber vice presi-dent of marketing amp business develop-ment ldquoSustain and Ability is the idea thata surface can sustain the ability of a per-son to do what he or she loves longerwhile simultaneously respecting the natu-ral environment For example how can afloor do more to make a hospital betterDoes it provide an element of safety if apatient falls Is it comfortable to stand onall day Does it insulate sound so patientscan heal Our surfaces provide safetyergonomics and acoustical benefits thatmake peoplersquos lives betterrdquo
The bottom line is that ldquodoing goodmattersrdquo said Jeff West vice president ofmarketing Patcraft which is involved in arange of social sustainability initiativesfrom extensive corporate giving and indi-vidual associate volunteerism to cause-marketing campaigns such as its Cradle toCradle Certified Butterfly Effect collectionFor every square yard of The ButterflyEffect flooring Patcraft sells 2 of the salesgoes to support St Jude ChildrenrsquosResearch Hospital
An interest in transparency of prod-ucts and practices often leads to ques-tions from specifiers who are increasing-ly curious about company contributionsto society said Russ Delozier director ofsustainability for J+J Flooring Group ldquoWeanticipate specifiers will continue tomove away from asking questions abouthow our products contribute just to greenbuildings and instead ask questionsabout how wersquore contributing to humanhealth benefitsrdquo he said J+J is a contribu-tor to the United Way of NorthwestGeorgia providing more than $3 millionover the past 20 years the most per capi-ta of any company in the flooring indus-try he added
from top ecore commercial flooring ispushing the social responsibility frontierby focusing on the interaction betweenpeople and surfaces ndash ie the flooring inthis acoustically sensitive installationperkins+will through its pro bono socialprogram designed and built a prototypefor children with down syndrome that isbeing used for 30 gigirsquos playhousesworldwide and 2 of every square yard ofthe butterfly effect collection thatpatcraft sells goes to support st judechildrenrsquos research hospital
Continued from page 31
32 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
GOPLATFORM
phot
o h
edric
h bl
essi
ngt
om h
arris
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
DSGN
FROM THE AVAreg COLLECTION bull AVAFLORCOM bull 877 -861-5292
ANTIQUE STONE ndash ROME
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
34 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
The green building craze is drivingdesigners to use their imaginationsin developing solutions to preserve
nature within commercial spaces This isespecially evident in retail where materi-als resembling or made from reclaimedwood are being used to add characterand warmth to shopping environments
ldquoThe graining of the reclaimed hard-wood surface combined with its rusticstyle provides visual appeal to retail pro-fessionals who are looking to bring anoutdoor aesthetic to an interior spacerdquonoted Allan Singh general managerHavwoods USA
According to the Retail DesignInstitute (RDI) the aspect of reclaimingand reusing wood is nothing new But a
desire by facility managers for moreauthentic sensory and tactile experiencesin retail stores is fueling the trend towardnatural reclaimed and artisan materialsldquoWe have witnessed a departure from theclassic cost-engineered mass rolloutlsquocookie-cutterrsquo prototype model of the pre-vious decade toward more localizeddesign solutions that connect brands withthe neighborhoods in which they arelocated mdash through thoughtfully sourcedproduct or reclaimed and up-cycledmaterialsrdquo said James Farnell internation-al president for RDI
The ldquowowrdquo factor of authentic agedtimber available in various species is fur-ther driving reclaimed wood as a popularflooring option in retail store design ldquoTheaesthetic of each board is so entirely differ-ent unique and originalrdquo Havwoodsrsquo Singh
explained ldquoOur reclaimed planks arebeing used across the project on floorswalls ceilings doors furniture and evenlightingrdquo Havwoods sources fine hard-wood flooring from a network of mills
The textures colors sustainability andstory behind these flooring choices offer adifferent twist to products specified in con-temporary design ldquoMany people like thecontrast of clean lines and consistent col-oration when paired with the inconsisten-cy and warmth reclaimed wood brings toa projectrdquo said Tyson Cartwright accountmanager Centennial Woods
THE SECRET SAUCE OF SOURCINGAnother perk to the reclaimed movementis its sustainability story Reclaimed woodis an ideal sustainable material as timberrescued from dilapidated barns riverbeds
RECLAIMEDWOODrejuvenates retail interiors
GOFEATURE
BY KJ QUINN
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 35
highways and abandoned warehouses areoffered a second life ldquoOur reclaimed solidoaks hail from the Maramures region ofnorthern Transylvania an area with a richtradition in wooden buildingsrdquo Singh point-ed out ldquoMassive load-bearing timbersfrom old barns and houses that werescheduled for demolition are salvagedrdquo
Pioneer Millworks reports salvaging26 million board feet of wood that wouldotherwise end up in landfills grindersunclean burners or simply rotted awayldquoBy reclaiming and reusing wersquore givingthis storied wood new liferdquo said JenniferYoung general manager The companyreports it is FSC certified and GreenAmerica approved and all products areLEED point eligible
Regardless of origin reclaimed materi-als are not cheap as they can be two tothree times more expensive than newhardwood The initial search for suitablematerial combined with additional
processes required to pro-duce a finished board resultin a greater upfront invest-ment ldquoThe procurementprocess and availability at thetime of design versus con-struction can be a challengerdquonoted Vickie Breemes CSI CCS LEED BD+CWell AP director of advanced buildingtechnologies at Little an AampD firm inCharlotte NC ldquo[There is] also a limitednumber of actual square footage availablerdquo
Finding suppliers that locally sourcemill and ship products mdash especially for largecommercial jobs mdash is easier said than doneldquoTherefore we inventory and custommake rustic material options in flooring andwall coverings that are readily available foreven the largest projects we can warrantyrdquosaid Don Bufalini Western regional salesmanager at DuChacircteau The company pro-vides reclaimed wood visuals in engi-
opposite page from left theorganic painted pine planks showcase theremnants of their original paintwork asopposed to contemporary paintedproducts havwoodsrsquo reclaimed solid oakshail from the maramures region ofnorthern transylvania an area boasting arich tradition in wooden buildings andmassive load-bearing timbers from oldbarns and houses that were scheduled fordemolition are salvaged
above duchacircteaursquos headquarters in sandiego features sea smoke from its atelierseries to create a modern comfortableatmosphere
Continued on page 36
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
36 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
neered flooring which allows designers toachieve desired looks
Suppliers support their products in avariety of ways ldquoOne of the benefits ofworking with Pioneer Millworks is that
board solid or engineered may wear thepatina of past experience on its surfaceldquoThis method ensures the material is asconsistent and reliable as one made fromvirgin timber and it may be specified withequal confidencerdquo Singh said
Data on certain wood characteristics mdashsuch as the coefficient of thermal expan-sion mdash may not be readily available fromsuppliers ldquoReclaimed wood is often nottested in the same manner as virgin materialsrdquo said Douglas Dohan associate
vice president CallisonRTKL aSeattle-based architectureplanning and design firmldquoBecause of this we are oftenunable to drill down on edgecondition detailingrdquo
Delivery lead times couldpose another challengedepending on the vendorldquoManufacturers do not typically mill pro-files until they receive both an order and adepositrdquo Dohan said ldquoTo avoid longerlead times owners sometimes purchasethe material they need before a generalcontractor has been awarded a contractrdquo
`CUSTOMIZABLE LOOKSInterior designers are specifying re-claimed wood to help create colorful live-ly retail environments ldquoFor one project
we have something for everybudgetrdquo Young said ldquoAndbecause we have millingand sourcing on both coastslocality becomes less of anobstaclerdquo
When reclaimed timberis sourced it can be challeng-ing to verify the authenticityldquoYou never know exactlywhat the barn has beenexposed to whether it hasbeen painted with lead paintor it has sucked up VOCs foryears that may cause harmfuloff-gassing in your home orbusinessrdquo Centennial WoodsrsquoCartwright said ldquoWith ourreclaimed wood we knowexactly where it has been
and the only thing that has touched it isMother Naturerdquo
Indeed a lot can happen to a productfrom processing and manufacturing todistribution Documentation can be pro-vided by suppliers to address any con-cerns about reclaimed materials whileFSC chain of custody certification verifiesmaterial has been identified and separat-ed from non-certified and non-controlledmaterial as it makes its way along the sup-ply chain This is all important to design-ers as they seek to comply with the latestgreen building initiatives and achieveLEED certification for retail projects
ldquoI believe sourcing for all sustainableproducts including reclaimed wood hasbecome much more rigid and reliable inthe last five yearsrdquo said Scott Loikits glob-al design directorprincipal at Greenberg-Farrow in New York ldquoThis reduces myconcerns about origin of supplyrdquo
Havwoods employs 21st-century pro-duction techniques to ensure the finished
Continued from page 35
from left pioneer millworkrsquos reclaimedfoundry maple was used in this ohioclothing store a limited edition industrialsalvaged reclaimed oak from pioneermillworks wasused in a new york cityhardware store chipman designarchitecture used reclaimed wood toshowcase the warmth of restaurant andbourbon bar southern hospitalityrsquos brandand pioneer millworks used a customgrade of mixed softwoods with a customfinish for an eclectic retail experience
GOFEATURE
phot
o c
hipm
an d
esig
n a
rchi
tect
ure
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
greenoperationsnet spring 2017 i GO i 37
we wanted a rough hewn look and feelrdquoDohan said ldquoIt was a plus that the dun-nage planks we picked had minor cup-ping and were minimally finished Thatyou could feel the variation of the floorunder your feet added to the experienceof the spacerdquo
Centennial Woods offers a variety ofdesigns to help customers achieve unique
looks for their spacesldquoWe like to considerourselves solutionprovidersrdquo Cartwrightsaid ldquoSo if you donrsquotsee it in our offeringswersquoll try to create itrdquoThe company mills itswood down to thin
profiles creating a much lighter productwhile maintaining the same appearanceThis allows Centennial to ship worldwidefor a reasonable price
There are however limitations inflooring choices which is where alterna-tive products come into play ldquoLVT lami-nate and treated hardwood that give thelook of reclaimed wood with the addedbenefit of performance characteristicslike resistance to staining and added
durability are optionsrdquo noted SaraBabinski design manager for ArmstrongFlooringrsquos hardwood and laminate prod-ucts ldquoReclaimed wood just canrsquot offer thismuch in one packagerdquo
Designers can also get creative tomaneuver past some of the sourcing chal-lenges with alternative approaches JayMiranda principal of design Chipman
Design Architecture Des PlainesIll said ldquoWe can have new lum-ber cut lsquorough sawnrsquo to get the tex-ture and add specific stains tomake it appear old After that youcan continue the distressingprocess by weathering the woodwith a metal chain to get theauthentic indentations and drivenails through only to pull them outagain to achieve the desired lookrdquo
Still some industry membersbelieve the natural charm ofreclaimed wood can only be replicated to a certain extent
ldquoEngineered floors can sometimes have aplastic feeling that lacks the warmth ofreclaimed woodrdquo GreenbergFarrowrsquosLoikits observed ldquoFor me the look andfeel of reclaimed wood add a sense ofcomfort to the retail environmentrdquo
The fact reclaimed wood comes in somany shapes colors and textures enablesit to blend in with many retail interiors ldquoIn designing the restaurantSouthern Hospitality the brand was aboutenjoying comfort food and bourbon in awarm environmentrdquo Chipmanrsquos Mirandasaid ldquoUsing natural reclaimed wood inthat space was a perfect fit and we wereable to find a local supplier with an abun-dance of the material we neededrdquo
The product is also being used todefine a space for a specific purpose ldquoWesee use of recycled timber in many farm-
to-table concept restaurants soft lineretailers using recycled wood to connectcustomers with their heritage or hardlineretailers using wood to demonstratetheir attention to detail and craftsman-shiprdquo RDIrsquos Farnell said
CallisonRTKLrsquos Dohan added ldquoIn arecent project we used changes in patternand runs to create pathways and defineareas within the larger expanse of thefloor We also sorted the darker planksfrom the lighter ones and used them in dif-ferent orientations to create more visuallyinteresting patternsrdquo
While aesthetics is an important crite-ria for store design practicality also fac-tors into the selection process For exam-ple floors depicting a weathered worn orwashed out appearance can disguisewear and tear in high-traffic areas ldquoThe
weathered look and distressed nature willallow these floors to look and performwell for yearsrdquo Bufalini said DuChacircteauworks with reclaimed visuals and flooringwith extreme character such as pro-nounced knots splits and texture
Whether used for flooring walls oraccent areas small touches of wood canstill be found in even contemporarydesigns to make any space more comfort-able ldquoOur Columbus office recentlyinstalled reclaimed wood panels on selectaccent walls to emphasize a warm and comfortable interior atmosphererdquoLoikits noted
DuChacircteaursquos Bufalini added ldquoOur ownoffice is very contemporary in its designYet there is more than 10000 square feetof rustic wood flooring with large knotsand splits in the wood Daily visitors com-ment about how they are impressed withthe modern design of the building and yetit is also a comfortable enjoyable space towork and relaxrdquo
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
38 i GO i spring 2017 greenoperationsnet
cycle assessment (LCA) which is used to understand manageand reduce environmental impacts associated with a productsystem or building
LEED v4 recognizes the benefits of LCA through two oppor-tunities for Material and Resources credits The Whole-BuildingLife-Cycle Assessment to achieve the Building Life CycleImpact Reduction Credit and The Building Product Disclosureand Optimization Environmental Product Declaration Creditwhich rewards project teams that select products with environ-mental product declarations (EPD)
Certifications are another effective tool to provide completetransparency by confirming that a product meets relevant andspecific standards and benefits the environment And manyproduct certification programs are based on multi-attribute life-cycle parameters such as energy use recycled content and airand water emissions from manufacturing disposal and use
Others focus on a single attribute such as water energy orchemical emissions
THE REWARDS OF TRANSPARENCYThe benefits of transparency transcend the certifications rat-ings and recognition Transparency provides the clarity direct-ly linked to human health and wellbeing whether thatrsquos in theworkplace a restaurant store or hotel It also provides a clearunderstanding of the impact building materials have on theenvironment
Most importantly transparency encourages openness andcollaboration among manufacturers and the AampD community mdasheach learning from the other to transform the way we thinkabout how buildings and communities are designed and con-structed
You can learn more about the health and financial impacttransparency can have on your business atarmstrongflooringcomrsquos commercial flooring resources tab
transparencyContinued from page 28
their design that allow guests to document their stay in realtime mdash from pre-arrival pics to post-departure memories
Where once carpet was the go-to flooring option today LVTand natural hardwoods are sought-after choices for guestrooms Aside from the fact that technology has improved thequality of simulated hardwoods ease of installation and mainte-nance make LVT a solution-based material fitting the bill
Having just returned from EuroShop 2017 one of theworldrsquos largest retail trade fairs in Dusseldorf Germany Irsquomexcited to see the new and innovative products taking the seg-ment to new levels On the flooring front for example environ-mental rugs with magnetic backings that are reminiscentof Persian carpets create a visual impact to enhance store mer-chandise while geometric LVT and stained colored wood
branded environmentContinued from page 8
looks allow you to mix and match for a signature aesthetic inboth retail and hospitality projects where you want a ldquowowrdquofactor
In the end branded environments will continue to attractloyal customers when they have a clear narrative mdash from theground up mdash with consistent online and brick-and-mortar story-telling where memorable moments make customers want toreturn again and again
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821
J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7
E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart Chicago | NeoConcom
North Americarsquos most important design exposition
and conference for commercial interiors
I M A G I N E T H A TFeatured carpet Lapis made with patented Synthesis technology I 800-241-4580 I Durkancom I Visit us at HD EXPO 3821