NEWH - Spring 2013 - (Page 39)

Above and right: The latest FR-One fabrics from Fabricut: Physics, Latitude, Solar Strie, Linette, Marsano, and Illusion. Above: Fabric Innovations’ new bamboo bedding. Regardless of how they are doing it, nearly all manufacturers are trying to somehow address the hotly contested environmental issues surrounding large-scale manufacturing and consumerism. “I believe our industry is heading the new build construction and renovation fields in sustainability,” says Deborah Herman, president of Fabric Innovations. The company’s first sustainable product introduction was bamboo bedding, a durable, longlasting product made of an easily renewable resource; Herman is also working in recycled polyester blends and organic cotton blends. “Now we must hit the government to enact laws that follow our moral compass,” she continues. “This is how the handicap access laws changed our country. Like this, new build construction must answer to a higher calling of sustainability.” Matt DeShantz, vice president of regional sales at Fabricut Contract agrees that with legislation still unclear, it’s difficult to maintain strict standards across the board. “While the developments of mandated and implementable standards are ongoing, few mills are being held to or are holding themselves to the guidelines,” says DeShantz. “Too often we hear from our mills that while they work to incorporate sustainable measures they frequently stumble over the many shades of ‘green’ that exist in the marketplace.” Fabricut has started paying closer attention to the sustainability of its products, with more than 80 percent of its new offerings each season boasting some degree of environmental awareness, such as incorporating recycled fibers in domestically produced fabric. But how can manufactures control what they can’t control? Sustainable success will depend on green products reaching the final design. How many designers who are committed to sustainability, will be given the liberty to stick to their values when it comes time for owners to write the checks? “Implementation costs are certainly at the forefront for legacy properties that may not have the infrastructure to support full-scale energy efficient upgrades,” says Fales. Switching over to energy-efficient, sustainable systems and products can be daunting for owners and often leads to backpedaling. “For all the work it takes to make the selections, the effort is often thwarted by last minute, value-engineered substitutions of questionable origin,” says DeShantz. “We see this in too many instances when designers and purchasers are held to last minute budget reductions. While it’s becoming more commonplace to see ecologically responsible fabrics at affordable prices, we still see owners willing to risk the quality and design integrity of a project over pennies on the dollar.” ❙❘❚ Spring 2013 39

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2013

NEWH - Spring 2013
Table of Contents
News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Award of Excellence
Q&A: Brooke Taylor
Q&A: Stephanie Tristani
Q&A: Jacob Cross
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
For Lily Jack, it’s all in the details
Project: Revere Hotel Boston
Project: Indigo Garden Curacao
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Ad Index

NEWH - Spring 2013