Hospitality Leaders Assert Sustainability Commitment
Eight leading hospitality design firms recently signed a commitment letter stressing their belief and adherence to sustainable practices and products. The document, which emphasizes the use of products made regionally, arose from the inaugural
Futuregreen Hospitality Forum
this past summer, the brainchild of Michael Suomi, principal/vp design of
Stonehill & Taylor
, and Cindy Allen, editor in chief of
Interior Design
magazine. Those who signed the commitment letter include top architecture and design firms such as
Gensler
,
Wimberly Interiors
,
HBA
,
Clodagh Design
,
ForrestPerkins
and
Studio 3877
.
“At a time when politicians on both sides of the political spectrum, communities around the country, academia and the manufacturing industry are all discussing a need to bring jobs back home, we wanted to do our part in having a realistic discussion about how domestic manufacturing could impact our industry,” says Futuregreen co-founder Suomi. The commitment letter also includes a pledge to support U.S. manufacturers when working on domestic projects.
The Futuregreen Statement of Commitment (the entire document can be read
here
) is also a step toward raising awareness, broadening commitment and establishing formal sustainability ratings within the hospitality industry. As part of this goal, the document urges the use of the newly formed Futuregreen Seal for interior design products that meet sustainable requirements. The one-day forum, held this past summer, attracted hotel brands and owners as well as design firms, procurement companies and manufacturers. The event was co-sponsored by Stonehill & Taylor and
Interior Design
magazine.
“Based on attendance, tremendous energy and feedback, and overall goodwill, we believe this inaugural event was a path in the right direction for the industry,” says Allen, also a co-founder of Futuregreen.
The next Futuregreen forum will be held on May 31, 2013, in New York. For more information or details on how to attend, contact Rachel Long at Interior Design Media at [email protected].