ATLANTA— Invista may already pay tribute to the mills and design companies using its Antron commercial fibers but recognizing the importance of sustainability, and in conjunction with the launch of two environmentally friendly yarns, the company has announced the creation of a new type of honor: the Antron Carpet Fiber Designed to Perform Award.

“The longevity of commercial interiors is becoming a top priority for specifiers and their clients as they look to maximize their investment and benefit the environment,” said Bobby Berrier, vice president for Invista commercial interiors. “We are introducing the ‘Designed to Perform’ award because we want to honor innovative commercial interiors that are designed for performance and built to last.”

Open to all commercial interiors projects that feature installations of Antron carpet fiber in the U.S and Canada completed after Sept. 1, 2007, entries will be accepted in the categories of Retail, Showroom, Education (K-12), Education (Higher Ed), Public Spaces/Institutional (airport, museum, convention center, church, library, government-non-office), Large Office, Small Office, Healthcare and Hospitality (hotels, restaurants, spas, casinos, resorts).

The deadline for entries is Sept 10.

Berrier said projects will be judged by “a distinguished panel” of a building owner/manager, architect, designer, facility manager, environmental consultant and a dealer. The panel will make judgments based on six areas:

• If the space has been designed to meet high-performance criteria—long-term installation, heavy foot traffic, challenging ambient/environmental conditions, among others

• If carpet specification was a key factor in achieving project goals

• The overall creativity, originality and versatility of the design

• The ability of the design to withstand the test of time relative to the client’s aesthetics, performance and sustainability goals

• Use of high-performance materials that are long-lasting and function well over time

• Ability to meet the project’s long-term financial expectations— minimal replacement, reduced maintenance, lower lifecycle costs, and so on.

In addition to the new award, Invista announced the fifth Antron Carpet Fiber Sustainable Flooring Performance Award, which recognizes sustainable practices through the use of performance driven flooring choices in commercial applications.

Entries will be judged on how well the original carpet selection continued to meet the client’s performance and design objectives, and the ability of the design to meet the client’s business objectives and challenges over time as a result of sustainable material selection.

Winners will be notified in January 2010.

For more on either award, call Invista at 877.516-8766.