7.25.08 | Norwalk , CT | EMCOR Group, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Poole and Kent Company of Florida, was awarded a mechanical construction contract by the University of Miami School of Medicine campus in Miami, FL. Poole and Kent will install a piping system that will provide 17,000 tons of chilled water to various buildings on the University’s School of Medicine campus. 

7.24.08 | Chicago, IL | HOK Chicago designers and architects were recognized with two Best of NeoCon awards for their design of a carpet collection for Lees Carpets and for a flooring collection for Mannington Commercial. For Lees Carpets, designers from HOK's Interiors Practice created the new "Places and Spaces" collection, capturing the essence of four cities across America, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The second project, which received a Silver Award in the "Flooring: Resilient" category, was for Mannington Commercial's "Create Collection, which employed a broad palette of saturated colors, neutrals, geometric/circular shapes for a fun and imaginative collection. Sustainability was a factor in both collections.

7.24.08 | Newport Beach, CA | Marinita Development Co., announced that the company, in a joint venture with Regency Centers, will commence construction on Jefferson Square, a supermarket/drug anchored shopping center in La Quinta, CA. Phase one will consist of a Fresh & Easy Market and CVS/pharmacy. Regency is seeking LEED core-and-shell certification for its portions of the project. 

7.24.08 | Chicago, IL | The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market returns to The Merchandise Mart on floors 15,16,& 17, September 15-18, 2008. Temporary exhibitors will be on floors 7 and 8 of Market Suites. Special events include a 15th floor Launch Brunch, Market Welcome Party and Industry Excellence Awards, Annual Market Party, and 49th Annual Apollo Awards + Fashion Show. Also included in the event are industry presentations and round table discussions.

7.24.08 | Canton, GA | Grant Design Collaborative, a company’ that designs business experiences from product to market, debuted a collection for Jaipur Rugs in the July/August issue of Las Vegas Home + Design. Grant Design Collaborative also created a new brand identity for Jaipur, plus showrooms for Jaipur in Las Vegas and High Point. www.grantcollaborative.com/

7.24.08 |Holland, MI | Haworth, Inc. joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Program, a nationwide initiative designed to promote cleaner, more fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible transportation options. As a SmartWay Transport Partner, Haworth met a minimum target of 50% of shipments, by weight, carried by SmartWay transport carrier partners. Haworth's SmartWay membership also required an action plan that includes a "no idling" policy for carriers on Haworth property; increasing intermodal (rail/truck) shipments for long distance deliveries; recruiting more carrier partners into the SmartWay program; and incorporating partnership status into the company's new carrier prequalification process. 

7.24.08 | Mt. Olive, NJ | MAiSPACE offers a broad range in colors, styles and configurations in systems furniture, cubicles, private offices, reception areas and conference rooms at price points averaging 40% below those of many of competitors while providing a lifetime warranty and guarantee against obsolescence. Included in the MAiSPACE value package are stackable panels with floor to ceiling capabilities, lay-in plug-and-play voice, data and power cabling, ergonomic seating, tables and freestanding furniture. MAiSPACE integrated interiors typically are completed at an installed price from $12 to $15 per sq. ft. 

7.24.08 | Phoenix, AZ | –OmniMount, a manufacturer of consumer and commercial mounting solutions, announced that the Prism 50 was named the recipient of the Electronic House Product of the Year Award for 2008. The Prism 50 was recognized for its technological innovation, value, and variety of features.  OmniMount will be honored at an awards ceremony held at this year’s Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association Show (CEDIA EXPO) in September, in Denver, Colorado. 

7.24.08 | Atlanta, GA | Interface, Inc. announced results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2008. Sales for the second quarter of 2008 increased 11.3% to $295.0 million and gross profit margin for the 2008 second quarter grew 90 basis points to 35.7%. Operating income for the second quarter of 2008 increased 8.2% to $33.4 million. Net income for the 2008 second quarter was $15.9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share.

7.24.08 | Dublin, Ireland | The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies announced that the 2009 submissions deadline for the "Europe 40 under 40" program is Sept. 1. The program is open to all young architects, landscape architects, interior architects, and urban planners who are under the age of 40 as of Dec. 31, 2008, working independently, or in a firm or on a specific project where they are the lead designer.  Application forms are available at www.europeanarch.eu

7.24.08 | Minneapolis, MN | InformeDesign released a  study, Promoting Walking and Biking to School. The study examined the impact of distance and urban form (e.g., presence of major roads, route directness) on choice of transportation to and from schools in Bend and Springfield, OR. The study concluded:

• Since the 1960's, the number of students who walk or bike to school has decreased and may contribute to childhhood obesity.
• Smaller, centralized schools are giving way to larger facilities located on the urban periphery where street connectivity is limited and housing density is low, and may contribute to reduced walking and biking to school. 

7.24.08 | Boonton, NJ | Vera Whitmore was hired by Dauphin North America as a Product Support Specialists for its New York showroom, where she will focus on the dealer market. Ms. Whitmore's background includes 17 years working in the New York City Police Department, selling custom interiors for commercial and residential clients, and most recently marketing consumer goods representing companies such as Kodak, Disney, Philips Electronics, and Toshiba.

7.24.08 | Aspen, CO | Shigeru Ban Architects (SBA) were selected to design the new Aspen Art Museum. The entire cost of designing, building, and operating the new Aspen Art Museum facility will be 100% supported by private funds from AAM museum donors. SBA was selected for its sensitivity in creating spaces that interrelate with environs and the environment itself and its choices and uses of materials. Mr. Ban is widely known for structures that incorporate paper, and for his singular development of paper tube technology.

7.24.080 | Grand Rapids, MI |  Steelcase negotiated a  business alliance agreement with Lab Crafters Inc., a 30-year-old company in Ronkonkoma, NY, that designs and manufactures fume hoods, casegoods, and other integrated solutions for laboratory environments. The alliance will provide Steelcase new capabilities to meet customers' needs for product solutions in a wide range of laboratory settings. www.steelcase.com  www.lab-crafters.com

7.23.08 | Jasper, IN | National Office Furniture will introduce a new environmentally-friendly, high-performance finish called ­IntegraClear™ in August. IntegraClear is made using National's ultraviolet finishing process that increases durability and enhances the depth and clarity of the wood grain. 

7.23.08 | Kennesaw, GA | Tracy Cook joined The Mohawk Group as Director of Brand Strategy, to lead the communication strategies for Karastan Contract, Lees Carpets, Bigelow Commercial and Durkan and help to differentiate the individual brands. Most recently, Ms. Cook served as the vice president of marketing for InterfaceFLOR. 

7.23.08 | Cypress, CA |— SitOnIt Seating was presented with the OFDA Dealers Choice Manufacturer of the Year Silver Award. This is the second time that SitOnIt Seating has been recognized by this organization, bringing home the bronze title in 2003. The winning manufacturers were determined by the results of the Association's sixth annual OFDA Dealer Manufacturer Satisfaction Index Survey which asks dealers to evaluate manufacturing business partners in training, product lines, service and support, sales and marketing, management, and technology. 

7.23.08 | Winston-Salem, NC | Beaufurn's Loua-33 pulls together unique curves and bold upholstery to create a design that is both enticing and inviting. This modern Italian lounge chair boasts an oak wood veneer available in bleached natural or espresso finish. It can be upholstered in any of Beaufurn's fabrics or COM for a truly custom look. www.beaufurn.com

7.23.08 | Plainview, NY | Emcor subsidiary, Welsbach Electric Corp. of L.I. received contracts for upgrades and maintenance of traffic signals and traffic control devices throughout Nassau County, NY. The contracts include:

• Countywide Maintenance and Repair of 1,800 traffic signal control devices
• Signal Replacements along historic Peninsula Boulevard
• Central System Upgrades of traffic controllers and cabinets to the 2070 technology

7.23.08 | Carson, CA | Lonseal, Inc. received three  international certifications for its flooring products and are now certified according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2000 and 14001:2004, as well as the AS9100:2004 from the Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG).

7.23.08 | Green Bay, WI | Debbie Breunig, Vice President of Healthcare for KI, was appointed to Bellin College of Nursing Board of Trustees. In addition to her nursing background, Ms. Breunig is also an alumna of Bellin College and will provide insight of the college from a student's perspective. In her position at KI, Ms. Breunig is responsible for the development and execution of business and marketing plans and has directed the launch of several award-winning products.

7.22.08 | Dallas, TX | Kim Hogan joined HOK’'s Interiors Practice as Senior Vice President and Interior Design Director in the Dallas office. She brings more than 20 years of experience in project management, client and team leadership. Ms. Hogan joined HOK from Corgan Associates, Inc., where she served as Principal. 

7.22.08 | New York, NY | Harter and Interior Design magazine will host Heart's Desire, a cocktail party and fundraising auction to benefit the International Children's Heart Foundation and Ability Aids India International on Thursday, July 31, 6:30-8:30 pm at Harter, 150 East 58th Street, 11th floor, NYC. The silent auction of custom-designed hearts were created by noted design luminaries. 

7.22.08 | Las Vegas, NV | The 2009 BIFMA Leadership Conference will be held January 29-30, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV prior to Super Bowl weekend. A limited number of rooms have been contracted. To make a room reservation, contact the BIFMA office directly at T: 616.285.3963.

7.22.08 | Zeeland, MI | Herman Miller's Education Solutions team's March 2008 survey revealed that student expectations surpassed technology as the number one factor driving new needs for higher education learning spaces. Comparisons from a previous 2006 survey show that student expectations rose to 37% from 9% in 2006 and technology rose to 22% from 7%.  The survey also found that the most valuable aspect of effective learning spaces is the support of student and faculty engagement. Further survey results covered suggestions for higher education presidents, characteristics of effective learning spaces, and characteristics of ineffective learning spaces.

7.22.08 | Muscatine, IA | The Allsteel Boston Resource Center, designed by HOK earned silver certification in LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI), bringing to four the Allsteel showrooms to achieve LEED-CI certification in two years. In order to attain LEED-CI certification, HOK and Allsteel considered site selection, energy saving technologies, material selection, indoor environmental quality. 

7.22.08 | Norwalk, CT | EMCOR Group, Inc. announced that its EMCOR Government Services (EGS) business was awarded a contract for facility operations and maintenance support at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA,  managed by the California Institute of Technology. EMCOR Government Services will perform and be responsible maintenance support to the space flight operations facility, diagnostic services, HVAC operations and maintenance, custodial services, grounds maintenance, and elevator maintenance.