Author: AU News Bureau
UK-based architecture and interior design firm Barr Gazetas sets a new standard, earning B Corporation certification with a record-breaking score of 141.9. The median score for businesses completing the certification process is currently 50.9. The firmโs focus on employees, values, and projects, alongside its ESG-driven governance, led to the decision to pursue B Corp certification. The certification was officially confirmed in September, making Barr Gazetas part of a community of over 2,000 B Corp-certified businesses in the UK. The process also enabled the practice to reassess its internal processes and reinforce its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.…
Currently under construction, the Rizhao Center towers over China’s coastal city at 485 meters and 94 floors, poised to become an iconic structure by 2028. At the joint of Qingdao Road and Dongying Road in the Donggang District, the tower will add to Rizhaoโs rapidly changing skyline and position the city as a rising metropolis within China. This whole concrete building will serve as a residence, hotel, and office in one. Its novelty and mixed-use approach are symbolic of modern and future trends in sustainable urban development-to provide a versatile solution to meet the needs of both residents and businesses…
US-based High Point University (HPU) interior design students were able to install their designs inside the J.H. Adams Inn, a historic High Point hotel where a special community partnership offers students real-world experience. Interior design students worked in teams to design prototypes for the innโs guest rooms, which are often filled with HPU families visiting the city for events on campus such as Fall Family Weekend that just concluded Sept. 22, said Dr. Jane Nichols, department chair and Luke Family Endowed professor in the David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design. Interior design students Morgan Botwinick, Luca Reich and…
American Architecture and Interior Design firm HOK has recently unveiled an Inclusive Equity Toolkit that marks a meaningful step toward creating spaces that serve everyone, regardless of their background or abilities. The toolkit, available to all HOK design teams, offers a roadmap for creating inclusive, community-focused spaces. Standards and best practices found in the toolkit are grounded in five core design principles: 1. Partnering with the community: Integrating community history and connections and addressing community needs. 2. Planning for inclusion: Designing for diversity by identifying and addressing individual needs, requirements and desires. 3. Providing equity of experience: Creating accessible and…
Northern Lights has been named a finalist in The Brit List Awards 2024, under the prestigious category of Best in British Product Design for the third time in a row. Organised by Hotel Designs, The Brit List Awards celebrates the very best in British interior design, architecture, hospitality, and supply industries. A panel of esteemed judges from across the design and hospitality sectors will assess the shortlisted candidates, with winners set to be announced at the awards event in November. Northern Lights, a leader in British-made luxury lighting, has received this recognition for its newly-launched Axl collection. Known for its…
Ross Stewart, a trade apprentice with Building Services provider Arc-Tech (Scotland), has won the SNIPEF โBest Apprentice Plumberโ Award for Glasgow Clyde College 2024. SNIPEF (Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employersโ Federation) is the principal trade association for plumbing and heating businesses based in Scotland and Northern Ireland. With over 750 members, ranging from sole traders to large-scale businesses, the organisation works with government and industry bodies to ensure best practice and professionalism, as well as ensuring representation on wider industry issues. Their annual โBest Apprentice Plumberโ award honours the exceptional new talents who ensure the industryโs future is in…
Dow launched its first bio-circular product* for the flooring industry, an addition to the ENGAGEโข REN Polyolefin Elastomers (POE) product portfolio. The flooring innovation* will be used in the manufacturing of carpet tile backing to provide dimensional stability and adhesion support for fibers. This new bio-circular product* brings the same high performance as the rest of the ENGAGEโข POE portfolio while helping customers meet their sustainability goals. ENGAGEโข REN POEs offer a viable alternative to virgin petrochemical products by utilizing alternative feedstocks produced from residues of biological origin and responsibly sourced waste, such as used cooking oil, and converting them…
Pidilite Ventures has made a INR 50 million investment in Wify (Installco Wify Technology Private Limited), a platform offering home improvement and maintenance services.This pre-Series A round was led by Capria and Mount Judi Ventures, with participation from Blume Ventures. Wify focuses on providing B2B2C home improvement and maintenance services, maintaining quality and consistency through the training of skilled tradespeople committed to improving the reputation of home improvement brands. They provide a full-stack solution for companies and customers, including workflow management and after-sales support. Their clients include home improvement retailers, e-commerce giants, interior design firms, water solutions, audio and electronics,…
