BITAC Purchasing & Design East 2010

Judi and Tara spent part of last month at BITAC's Purchasing & Design East 2010 in Florida. BITAC is much different than your typical trade shows, summits or conferences. Everything is arranged to make valuable contacts and to build relationships with others in the hospitality and lodging industry--one on one meetings between buyers/vendors, coordinated meals to continue the discussion, panel discussions and presentations, and all hosted in one location to allow continued communication between participants.












This year, BITAC East was hosted at Disneyworld's Grand Floridian Resort. Judi and Tara both had a great time and made a lot of valuable contacts. If you've been considering attending BITAC--perhaps the one in Las Vegas coming up?--we'd love to share our experience!












There were a lot of great vendors and here are a couple that we were very impressed with!

Bellora Hospitality--headquartered in Atlanta, GA with offices in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles. Specialize in luxury linens including sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, bedskirts, pillow shams, decorative pillows, blankets, throws and turndown mats. They also carry bath products, such as, towels, robes and bath rugs.















Simmons Hospitality Group--while Simmons has been around for over 135 years we were impressed with their new Simmons Beautyrest mattress. Features Pocketed Coil springs made of recycled steel--and best of all--features the EverNU Top. EverNU is a zip off top that makes it possible to salvage the rest of the mattress frame for reuse (available for the Beautyrest Black collection and select traditional Beautyrest mattresses). The polyurethane foams used are CertiPUR-US certified which means they are low VOC and free of CFCs. They are also manufactured without PBDE flame retardants, lead, mercury, and prohibited phthalates. The wood used in the EnduroTECH foundation is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. As well, we appreciate Simmon's zero-waste policy and initiative to reduce their waste and impact.

Thanks to all we met! We had a fabulous time and would recommend BITAC again and again!

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Daniel Rybakken
Off the topic of materiality but could eventually be developed into a product and too cool not to show. Done by a designer who does mostly art installations. He created LED panel systems that illuminate to give the illusion on natural daylight coming into a space through windows. Go to the website to see more information. I can see this becoming a retailed product for those spaces that are impossible to get natural light.


Metolius Ridge Tiles
Manufactured in Eugene, OR. Terra cotta tiles that are all handpainted and glazed. Facility powered by renewable energy. Local dealer would is Snake River Tile and Stone.
















Eco Friendly Flooring
Have 100% recycled aluminum and brass tiles in a variety of sizes. Can be used for wall, countertop, floor, residential and commercial, indoor and outdoor. Aluminum tiles are $35 per square foot and the brass are $70 per square foot (volume discounts available). Through EcoFriendly Flooring in Madison, WI.



Eleek, Inc.
Based and manufactured in Portland. Utilize 100% recycled materials and high efficiency lighting. Can also do custom work. Won the 2006 City of Portland Best for Sustainable Practices. 80% of supplies come within 50 miles of shop. Use recirculated water and reusable abrasive media in finishing process. Optional finishes are zero VOC and don't interfere with product's ability to be recycled. Utilize minimal packaging. Patterns are designed from recycled/reclaimed materials. Will take back products at end of life to reuse/recycle.









Wallteriors
In Palm Springs, CA. Offer amazing wallcoverings with free custom coloring and cutting (stained edges, square panels like tiles, torn edges, etc). 5-6 week production time--made to order. Don't add fire retardant unless asked for to keep additive free. Use waterbased, 0-low VOC paints and sealants. Paper products are made from recycled materials. Hand painted and hand cut--no machinery. Also have two light fixture options.



Scenic Mesa Furniture
Ranch and flagship store in Hotchkiss, CO and manufactured in Hickory, North Carolina. Made with buffalo leather. Expensive, but interesting details and philosophy. Started by Julie Littlefield who is a botanist--decided to turn her ranch into a restored native buffalo range and developed a commercial buffalo meat business. Organic farms and orchards, hold green seminars, slow food dinners, and building EcoCabins on ranch.










Huvco Daylighting Solutions
"In the sketch to the left, the simple principle of the Parans System is shown. First, sunlight is collected by Parans Solar Panels outdoors. The sunlight is then brought into the building through the Parans Optical Cables. Indoors, the sunlight flows out through Parans Luminaires. This technology is called Fiber Optic Solar Lighting." Perfect for those locations that can't use a Solatube or skylight.



Alchimea Lana
Company and manufacturing in Germany. Thermal insulation comprised of sheeps wool, boron salt, natural rubber milk, iron oxide, lime and clay. Can be purchased through Good Shephard Wool Insulation in Canada. No dealer/rep in United States.







Caba Company Barkskins
Can be used for wallcovering, furniture surfaces, lampshades, etc. Handmade from tree bark--processed in cold and then boiling water, hand pounded and sun dried. Made in New Mexico. Depending on size of sheet and pattern, prices range around $3.45 to $7.25 per square foot.














Flux Studios
Wood, Steel and Bronze tiles/mosaics. Manufactured in Chicago. Wood is derived from sustainable/reclaimed sources. Developed own grout that works well wood tile which contracts and expands.















If you have any product suggestions that we should highlight, email Tara at tara@kiefferdesigngroup.com.

Beautiful Transitions

Doorways can help with the wayfinding of a space and can create stunning effects in a room. Doors and the transition space between rooms and the interior/exterior are too often overlooked. We love these examples of using doorways as a means of creating focal points and the overall beauty and fun it adds to these spaces...

courtesy 3form

courtesy Remodelista

courtesy Your home, only better

courtesy Apartment Therapy

courtesy Apartment Therapy


courtesy Tobi Fairley


courtesy 3form

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Interface specializes in 100% solution dyed nylon carpet tiles with recycled content and they have a "Cool Carpet" program which means they purchase carbon offsets to make zero emissions carpet. Interface has declared Mission Zero with seven steps: zero waste, benign emissions, renewable energy, create closed loop processes and products, resource efficient transportation, sensitivity hookup, and redesign commerce. Interface is based out of Atlanta, Georgia.

Lightwave Laser is based out of California. These wood laser cut panels are comprised of about 80% MDF that is FSC, no added formaldehyde and 100% recycled content, as well as, a wood veneer (the Wenge, Fir and Mahogany colored veneers are from certified sustainable sources and the maple and chery are domestically grown but not certified). Low VOC clear coatings are applied. Panel sizes are up to 4'x8' and range from $14 to $40 per square foot depending on thickness and matial. Laser cutting charges only are $22-$39 per square foot.


Ultratouch Recycled Denim Insulation is manufactured in Chandler, Arizona. Comprised of 85% recycled denim, boron (provides pest, mold and mildew resisitance and makes fire retardant) and Co-polyolefin binder (textile waste that adds tensile strength so won't slump). Class A fire rated, offer R-values of 13 , 19, 21 and 30, and perform better than traditional fiberglass for thermal and acoustic properties--all without the skin irritation of fiberglass.




Bentley Prince Street specializes in 100% solution dyed nylon carpet tiles. They are dedicated to Mission Zero by 2020 which is the same as Interface with a seven step program. They are also a part of the "Cool Carpet" program and are headquartered out of California.











Chemetal & Treefrog Partnership - Announced at NeoCon - Chemetal and Treefrog have partnered to release a wall panel system for retail/airports/lobbies/sports stadiums. You can select from Chemetal's 100 metal designs and Treefrog's 50 wood veneer laminates. There are three reveal options: Open, Captured, and Shadowline in satin, black, gold, and bronze finishes. The panels can be up to 4'x10' with thicknesses of 5/16" or 3/8". 5 Treefrog veneers available as FSC certified and others available upon custom order.





Merida Rugs -The photo to the left shows one from their wool Sweater Collection. Merida partnered with The Natural Step to educate employees on sustainability, with SaveThatStuff to improve their facility goals, Pure Strategies to do a life cycle analysis, Habitat for Humanity and Heading Home to donate leftover materials, and leftover yarn to a local knitting group next to their Fall River facility that makes goods for the homeless. They are also a part of 1% for the Planet and Sustainable Business Leader Program.





Vallahan Papers is a studio in Lincoln, Nebraska where they make handpainted wallcovering and it is manufactured in the US. It can be used in commercial and residential applications. A variety of textures and colors are available with the option for custom work. The papers are mostly in the style of recreating a metal look.









Juxtaform is manufactured and headquartered in Arizona. They have stretched fabric panels for ceilings, wall dividers, screens, etc. They offer one fabric option called Eco-White that is 90% recycled polyester/10% lycra. Other colors available in their standard polyester/lycra blend with various shapes and sizes available. Screen printing logos is another option. This is perfect for disguising unwanted views and creating layered visual interest.






Trend Green Fabric is 100% post consumer recycled from plastic bottles. The water from the dying process is used later in the process for cooling to recycle the water used in production. The facilities for yarn production, textile production, and finishing are located near one another to reduce the need for transportation. These fabrics are inherently flame retardant and "meet or exceed 30,000 double rubs for upholstery. Nano-tex is used to make stain resistant. Durablock can be specified for an enhanced liquid barrier. BioAm is used for anti-microbial and fabrics treated with this will biodegrade in approximately 5 years.



Big Ass Fans is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company that specializes in HVLS (high volume/low speed) fans. They are meant for large scale commercial/industrial projects - such as fans that can be up to 24' in diameter. They are developed through wind tunnel testing, fluid dynamics, finite element analysis and 100+ years in fan design experience. These fans utilize more blades and slower operating speeds than typical fans--makes more expensive but also makes more efficient and durable. Their facilities are rated LEED Gold, reduced water in 2009 by 17,000 gallons through a water conservation program, reused 15,000 lbs of scraps through a waste reduction program, purchase 50% green energy and 90% printed materials on FSC paper with soy inks.

PREtty FABulous!

Prefab: [adj., n. pree-fab; v. pree-fab]

-adjective

1. prefabricated - to manufacture in standardized parts or sections ready for quick assembly and erection, as buildings.

-noun

2. something that is prefabricated, as a building or fixture: You would never know that such an attractive house is a prefab.

-verb (used with object)

3. to prefabricate.

Origin: 1935-1940; by shortening

Prefabrication is the practice of assembling components of a structure in a factory or other manufacturing site, and transporting complete assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the structure is to be located.

Prefab has come a long way as far as design and sustainability is concerned. Ready-built or large preconstructed homes have been available in multiple forms since at least the mid-1800's. Ranging in style from cottages and mobile homes to architects' visions. Prefabricated homes stand poised to move house construction into a greener future, according to some members of the building industry. More history...

There are several OUTSTANDING architects, designers, and companies out there that are working towards improving prefab and our environment at the same time. Our favorite company that excels in both design and sustainablity is LivingHomes. This company is lead by Steve Glenn, who works with leading architects to create lines of homes that feature modern form and functionality and an unprecedented level of healthy/sustainable materials and energy systems. LivingHomes worked with Ray Kappe, FAIA to design the first residence in the United States to earn LEED Platinum, which is the highest level of certification from USGBC.

LivingHomes focuses on what they call the Six Degrees of Sustainability including: energy, water, waste, emissions, carbon, and ignorance. One very intriguing 'degree' of sustainability with this company is the 'waste' impact. The company has laid out a four-step process to reduce waste. In fact, these processes allow LivingHomes to achieve about a 2% waste level — in other words, 98% of the construction products are reused, recycled or otherwise diverted from landfills. Melissa Hincha-Ownby of 1800recycling.com wrote this article on their ideals.

Step one of the four-step zero waste goal is the deconstruction process. If the prospective home site has a building currently on it, LivingHomes works with The ReUse People to deconstruct the building and separate the reusable and recyclable goods. The ReUse People is a part of The ReUse Institute, and is dedicated to helping divert demolition and deconstruction materials from local landfills.

The second step is the use of locally sourced, recycled or reclaimed materials. LivingHomes made in the United States are manufactured in California, and regionally sourced materials are used when available.

Step three ensures that the process that goes into making the home can be reversed so that the product can be deconstructed and reused at the end of its life.

The final step in the process is what is called moveable millwork. In other words, you can move the walls around in your home during the design phase without the need for new building materials.

Other Fabulous PreFab Companies:

• 

- takes an innovative approach that merges straw bale construction with prefabricated panels, with an end result that is highly attractive, energy-efficient and very sustainable. If prefab is your thing, ModCell is definitely a company you’ll want to look into.

• - This Los Angeles-based design firm run by architects Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner has a distinctly modern style using sleek lines and minimalist undertones.