NEWH - July 2005 - (Page 23)

who is leading whom? The hospitality industry is strong. Rev Pars are up, acquisitions are strong, global growth has never been stronger, and 60% of hotel owners today are new to the industry. The timing is “choice” for applying sustainable practices to properties and uniting the designers and their clients in pursuit of green. Architecture, design, construction and hosptiality need to promote destinations respectful of the built and natural environment, and reinforce positive destinations with environmental sustainability. How do we accomplish this, and from whom do we take our lead? Photo courtesy of LEO A DALY. Photographer: Tom Kessler Sustainablity’s Golden Rule: “Leave the world better than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment, make amends if you do.” (Paul Hawkins, “The Ecology of Commerce”) Almost twenty years ago, the acknowledgement of one’s impact on the environment impacted all industries, most notably the built environment. The reality of how our lifestyles were effecting and depleting natural resources needed to be reviewed and acknowledged. Today, those impacts are greater still. We as pro- fessionals need to value sustainability within a project, not as a line item, but woven into the overall solution. During project development, every member of the team has an impact on the future of the site and to promote environmental stewardship. Architects and interior designers have the ability to get inside the minds of the end users, supplyCarl T. Curtis, National Park Service, Midwest ing solutions to healthier Regional Headquarters Building, U.S. Department and more energy efficient of the Interior, Omaha, Nebraska. Achieved LEED buildings. Clients aware gold certification in May 2005 of the benefits to property value, both for current and future use, will gain bulbs and use 75 percent less higher revenue, health and producenergy meaning that one bulb tivity of end users throughout their can save you $25 over the lifeownership. Today’s collaboration, time of the bulb. research and social consciousness • You can save 13.5 gallons of fresh of human-centered design proposwater by choosing not to replace es new challenges, with interesting towels and linens daily. solutions. One certification program, Leading on the Owner’s Side ECOTEL@, was developed to In recent years, studies have tallied enhance the environmental reputathe lodging industry as one of the tion of hotels through pioneering largest contributors to waste. Some initiatives, with regard to environsurprising facts regarding the hosmental commitment, solid waste pitality industry shared by Green management, energy efficiency, Works, (www.greenworks.com) water conservation and preservainclude: tion and employee environment education and community involve• The average hotel purchases ment. The certification is for two more products in one week than years, and the hotel receives 100 families will typically purinspections to ensure the ongoing chase in one year. environmental efforts. • About 50 percent of a typical hotel’s waste stream is recyclable, Green Hotels Association’s not including food wastes. President and Founder Patricia Instituting a recycling program is Griffin shares, “It’s not just about a cost effective way to reduce taking the soap home after your waste and save money. stay.” The association brings • Compact fluorescent bulbs last together hoteliers interested in 10 times as long as incandescent environmental issues, encouraging 23 Photo courtesy of LEO A DALY. Photographer: Tom Kessler by Nancy Bohnett, International Woodwork Corporation http://www.greenworks.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - July 2005

NEWH - July 2005
Letter From the President
Upfront
Contents
Hospitality News
Learning From the Leaders
NEWH Announces New Corporate Partners
Protecting Paradise
Who’s Leading Whom?
Eye on the Triple Bottom Line
NEWH Welcomes New Corporate Partner – Signature Hospitality Carpet
Hotec – La Costa, California, June 2-5, 2005
2005 ARDA Awards Recipients
Education and Scholarship
Coming Events
Hospitality Design Award Winners
Letters to the Editor
Contributors
InformeDesign

NEWH - July 2005