NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Benjamin Moore, North America’s favorite paint, color and coatings brand, today announced that its Natura® and INSL-X® GarageGuard® paints have each been named Product of the Year for 2015. Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation where winners are backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers in a national representative survey conducted by research partner, TNS, a global leader in consumer research. Natura and GarageGuard have taken home the top honors for the Paint Category. Product of the Year accepts entries each year from consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care, household care, etc. Products are then chosen as a winner in each category through the TNS survey of 40,000 consumers. Natura is a premium zero-VOC product with zero emissions that provides both beautiful and durable hiding. GarageGuard is a water-based, catalyzed epoxy floor coating that gives garage floors an extremely durable and showroom like appearance. It delivers outstanding hardness and superior chemical, abrasion and impact resistance in a long lasting semi-gloss finish. The complete list of 30 winners selected to receive the 2015 Product of the Year title can be found at www.productoftheyearusa.com. To learn more about Benjamin Moore and to locate a nearby retailer, visit www.benjaminmoore.com.

Seventh Edition of Popular Training Guide is Now Available for Vectorworks 2015 Software Users Columbia, Maryland (February 5, 2015)— Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is releasing expert trainer Jonathan Pickup’s Vectorworks Essentials Tutorial Manual, now in its seventh edition. The book supports the new capabilities of Vectorworks® 2015 software and helps users gain a firm understanding of the basic tools, features and commands found in the Vectorworks line of industry-specific CAD and BIM solutions. Pickup’s manual provides a streamlined and efficient approach to training, breaking down the process into three simple steps: read a section, watch a video and try a tutorial. Each step increases the reader’s capabilities, and many designers who say they thought the initial tutorials were easy find that the text’s evolution truly helps them to learn over time. “Jonathan’s teaching methods, as typified in his Essentials Tutorial Manual, are superb, and his manner of explaining techniques, tasks and tools is wonderfully clear, concise and well illustrated,” says Neil Barmen, Intern Architect, AIBC LEED AP. “Following along with the lessons in the manual guided me to build up my Vectorworks skills with ease. This manual is perhaps the single best resource available for developing a solid foundation with the application.” The book covers everything from using the Vectorworks interface and basic tool options to organizing information and creating worksheets, which Pickup says is one of the most powerful features of the software. Pickup also covers the new ways that users can draw with objects in Vectorworks, which saves time for those who were previously drawing with lines and arcs. The tutorial comes in both imperial and metric versions and can operate on either Windows or Mac operating systems. This book is a part of Nemetschek Vectorworks’ self-paced training options. For more information and to purchase this $75 tutorial, please visit www.vectorworks.net/training/guides.php.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual list of the Top 10 States for LEED, the world's most widely used and recognized green building rating system, ranking states in terms of square feet of LEED space per state resident. The per-capita list highlights states throughout the country that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation. LEED-certified spaces use less energy and water resources, save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce carbon emissions and create a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. Now in its fifth year, the per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2014. Illinois retained its top national position for the second year in a row, with 174 LEED certifications representing 3.31 square feet of LEED-certified space per resident.

KOHLER, Wis. – Jan. 20, 2015 – Kohler introduces an innovative shower wall system focused on easing the task of creating the perfect showering space. The new Choreograph shower wall and accessory collection offers consumers both a well-organized and beautiful showering space. As a complete solution for showering environments, the Choreograph collection includes a variety of decorative walls, a joint system, in-wall storage, on-wall storage and seating in a variety of styles, colors and finishes to create traditional, transitional and contemporary spaces that fit both the functionality and aesthetic needs of homeowners.

KOHLER, Wis. – January 20, 2015 – Kohler introduces DTV+, its most advanced showering system. DTV+ seamlessly integrates water, sound, steam and lighting elements to create true multi-sensory showering experiences. DTV+ features a new touch screen interface allowing the user to control and customize every facet of their showering experience. The icon-based interface is intuitive and consistent with today's popular digital devices and up to three interfaces can be connected to the system providing flexibility for multiple users and/or applications. The new DTV+ modular platform allows users to decide how they want to control their DTV+ system and to choose exactly what elements they want to incorporate. Application flexibility has been increased as users are now able to select from a two-outlet, three-outlet or six-outlet digital valve to control water delivery. A further unique feature of DTV+ is the ability to add and control two valves on the system at the same time – providing the capability of delivering two different water temperatures for different outlets and showering configurations.

LAS VEGAS, NV — The 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Digital Magazine is now available online. This is the same as the print magazine handed out at the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 World Championship held on Wednesday, Feb. 4th at the 2015 World of Concrete/World of Masonry during MASONRY MADNESS™ Day in Las Vegas. It's filled with lots of interesting background stories, like featuring last year's double winner — mason Jerry Goodman. There are competitor bios, competition rules, Regional recaps, history information and more for the upcoming stellar bricklaying event in Las Vegas.