news

Earth train

Forward on Climate, the largest rally against climate change in U.S. history, occurred on the National Mall in Washington D.C., Feb. 17, 2013. Tile By Design President Dan Emmel joined 300 other Minnesotans, who represented MN350.org, the Sierra Club and several other environmental organizations. Conveyance to the nation's capital was on Amtrak's first ever Earth Train and total attendance at the rally was estimated at 35,000.

"Years from now, our children will not be asking us about the fiscal cliff or sequestration," Emmel said. "They will be asking us what we did when our ice caps melted."

Bill McKibben, a noted climate change author and founder of 350.org, announced the rally at a Minneapolis event last November. His recent article in Rolling Stone, "Global Warming's Terrifying New Math," sent an urgent wakeup call even to those who have paid close attention to the growing alarms of climate science.

"The building and construction industries have made incredible progress on environmental issues, but we still have a long way to go," said Emmel. "We have acted as individuals and organizations, but we especially need more political action. In the end, we are all passengers on the Earth Train. Let's keep it on the rails."

Welcome to our new website
Tile By Design is proud to announce the release of a redesigned website. As of Sept. 19, 2012, you’ll notice a fresh look; streamlined content; a simple, top-down navigation; social functionality; improved photo galleries; and easy access to all the information you need.

“The website was crafted to be more user friendly and to continue to serve as a valuable information source for industry professionals and the general public,” said Anna Kucera, Tile By Design marketing consultant.

Start exploring
Home page — At a glance, find answers to frequently asked questions, the latest news, a guide to sustainable design and more.

Portfolio — New photo galleries display larger, sharper project photos that give viewers the chance to see tile products and applications up close.

Search — A powerful, yet simple search feature facilitates faster location of information about a specific subject or keyword.

Social — Share content and images directly from the Tile By Design website via Facebook, Twitter, email and any other social platform on the Web. Check the upper right-hand corner of any page for the icons.

Recycle Bank

TxD is a Recycle Bank Reward Partner! When you recycle, you earn points that can be redeemed for rewards at TxD and other local businesses. Find out more at recyclebank.com.

Expanding on square one

TxD joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program dedicated to the reduction of the environmental impact associated with conventional electricity use. TxD has utilized wind power for 100 percent of its electricity since 2006.

“Originally, we supported green power because it furthered our existing organizational practices, reinforced the environmental and health benefits of the products we sell and was simply the right thing to do,” said Dan Emmel, TxD president. “It turned out to be a keystone for us, helping us to build and strengthen our business and community relationships and to expand our commitments — from sustainable business practices to sustainable lifestyles. By adding company support for gardening, tree planting, community agriculture, home energy audits, etc., we continue to increase work partner participation and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Emmel. “Green power is really a commitment to our future, people and planet. Business and industry must play a leadership role.”

Thanksgiving

All of us at TxD want you to know how much we value your trust and confidence. Our firm has helped the community by giving time, talent or donations to the following organizations:

American Red Cross, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, March of Dimes, Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota, Special Olympics Minnesota, Habitat for Humanity, The Reuse Center, Interfaith Outreach, Ronald McDonald House, The Jeremiah Program, Feed My Starving Children, Rebuilding Together of the Twin Cities, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Twin Cities Public Television, United Way, IIDA Northland Chapter Charity Project, Red Door Art Gallery, Second Harvest Heartland, the Poverty Exhibit, NFL Alumni Caring for Kids and Midwest Special Services, Inc.

Awards

The past year has been full of awards for TxD customers.

Commercial
Winning International Interior Design Association (IIDA) FAB Awards were:
• BKV Group for the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center;
• HGA Architects and Engineers for Butler Memorial Hospital; and
• Perkins + Will for Confidential Technology Company.

Congratulations also go to:
• RSP Architects for their first place win in the institutional category for the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix for the 2012 Ceramic Tiles of Italy Tile Competition;
• RSP Architects for their honorable mention in the commercial category for OSI Headquarters in Medina, Minn., for the 2012 Ceramic Tiles of Italy Tile Competition; and
• Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle Minnesota for the AIA Honor Award for McAllen Main Library in McAllen, Texas.

Residential
Winning 2012 NARI COTY Awards were:
• DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation Inc., Residential Bath Winner;
• TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders, Specialty Winner;
• Knight Construction Design, Inc., Residential Addition Winner;
• Vujovich Design Build, Inc., Sustainable Design Winner; and
• Martha O’Hara Interiors, Associate of the Year Winner.