High-performing, 100 percent acrylic material combines superior performance with elegant aesthetics Columbia, Md. (May 19, 2016) — Durasein, the world’s leading innovator in solid surface manufacturing, is now available in the United States. Durasein solid surfaces are nonporous and ideal for a wide variety of commercial spaces, including hospitals, restaurants, hotels, offices, museums, dormitories, child care centers, senior care facilities, shopping malls and retail environments. Nontoxic and environmentally friendly, Durasein is resistant to bacteria, stains, fire, water, chemicals, heat and UV light. Durasein solid surface products are manufactured in a state-of-the-art production facility with multiple automated casting lines by a team of some of the most experienced workers in the industry. Through innovative technology, Durasein solid surfaces can be produced as sheet materials, textured wall panels and custom shapes, offering new possibilities for designers and fabricators. Durasein can be manufactured in custom widths and thicknesses, and is available in 36 colors, as well as an extensive range of shape styles. Its applications include countertops, wall cladding, stairs, partitions and other creative architectural elements. “Durasein has proven to be invaluable to architects, designers and builders worldwide, and we’re thrilled to introduce our innovative products in the U.S.,” said Zhonghao Luo, CEO of Relang International, LLC, marketer of Durasein in the U.S. Durasein products are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide. Durasein is manufactured by Guangzhou Relang Industrial Co., Ltd., a privately owned company headquartered in Zhuhai, China with a 15-year history as an OEM/private-label supplier. Its U.S. headquarters, Relang International, LLC, are based in Columbia, Md.

Build Earth Live dates change to September 26 through September 28, 2016 Columbia, MD (May 17, 2016)–Since the March 2016 announcement of the 48-hour collaborative BIM competition for the eighth Build Earth Live (BEL) series, the unprecedented popularity of BEL Hyperloop’s global collaborative design competition has reached the attention of Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai's Road and Transport Authority. Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai's Road and Transport Authority have joined BEL - Hyperloop as government sponsors. The government is planning to build Hyperloop infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the near future. Winning teams of the BEL event will be offered the opportunity to win work with the government on the future project delivery process. Created by Asite, and headline sponsored by global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc., the competition exists to showcase how new technology is revolutionizing construction. Teams are tasked with joining together in collaborative work using building information modeling (BIM) technology. The event will focus in particular on the design of station terminuses within the context of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “This year will hands down be the most exciting Build Earth Live competition with the possibility for participating teams to win work, and we couldn't be happier to be the headline sponsor," said Jeremy Powell, product marketing director at Vectorworks. "We wish all of the competing teams the best and can't wait to see the creative solutions they design for this challenge involving Hyperloop technology.” The government ministry will host representatives from finalist teams in Dubai for judging and awards, along with Asite, Vectorworks, and Hyperloop One, a company reinventing transportation by developing the world's first Hyperloop, an elegant, integrated structure to move passengers and cargo between two points immediately, safely, efficiently and sustainably. This new development sees the evolution of the BEL series from BIM educators to leaders in infrastructure and design development. In order to take full advantage of this exciting development the sponsors, along with participating teams have agreed to move the start date of the event to Monday, September 26, 2016 at noon GST and the closing of the competition to Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at noon GST. The schedule will also be modified to enable finalist teams to travel to Dubai following the 48-hour competition to participate in the award festivities where winners will be announced.

Minneapolis -- Sharing their passionate knowledge of color and expertise in architectural coatings, the Valspar Corporation's representatives will be exhibiting in booth #3621 at the annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention and Expo, May 19-21, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Valspar's team will host an in-booth happy hour on Thurs., May 19, 3-4 p.m., to toast the new colors of its Fluropon® Effects Rustica coatings, the green innovation of Fluropon® Pure architectural coatings, and share information about several continuing education courses. * Fluropon Effects Rustica coatings features richer, more saturated colors with a weathered, antique aesthetic, including some with a subtle color shift. * Fluropon Pure coatings help commercial building projects achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® version 4 certification and adhere to the Living Building Challenge's Declare program, using the Living Building Challenge Red List as a guide for hazard reduction. Available for coil and extrusion applications, both Fluropon Effects and Fluropon Pure coatings deliver the industry-leading performance expected of Valspar's trusted family of Fluropon 70 percent PVDF resin-based coatings. To keep architects informed of new products, trends and best practices, Valspar will present in-booth, 15-minute expo chats (0.25 LUs) on architectural coatings' color and green innovations. “Green Innovations in Architectural Coatings” and “Painted vs. Anodized Coatings” also will be offered as one-hour AIA-approved continuing education courses (1.0 LUs each) at the AIA Expo's Learning Lounge in room 3859LL. Registration is required for Learning Lounge courses, but there is no additional cost to attend these sessions. Along with its industry-leading technical expertise, Valspar supports architects and designers with its proven, high-performance coating systems, color-matching and sustainability resources, responsive customer service and high-priority lead times. Learn more at www.valsparinspireme.com.

With three installation options, Nipomo defines flexibility for today’s bathroom designs Native Trails has introduced a one-of-a-kind sink for the bathroom, Nipomo. This NativeStone^® bath sink is a powerhouse of versatility and perfect for today’s clean design styles. Its soft rectangular shape shows off the organic beauty of concrete, at a much lighter weight and with no-fuss maintenance. To achieve a homeowner's desired look, Nipomo can be installed as an apron-front sink, undermount sink or vessel sink. Nipomo and other new additions for the kitchen & bath are available in showrooms June, 2016. “This new bath sink design brings fresh versatility in its styling,” said Naomi Neilson Howard, founder and CEO of Native Trails. “Nipomo is really like three sinks in one. The fun part for customers will be deciding how to install it.”