Marriott International pilots AI hotel design solution for future Asia-Pacific properties

Marriott International Inc. has advised that is looking to reinvent how hotels in its Select Service brand portfolio are designed and constructed using a suite of proprietary, cutting-edge tools that cut cost and reduce design time by more than 50%,

A first to be piloted in Asia Pacific, Marriott's end-to-end, one-stop solution is part of the latest design package that includes the use of artificial intelligence leveraging the Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform. With Marriott International offering this latest solution, the design process for owners will be more efficient with increased speed-to-market while at the same time maintaining cost control.

Marriott International's Michael Wang, Senior Continent Head of Global Design for Asia Pacific Region, explains "Marriott International's new end-to-end design solutions are a world-first in our industry, and we are excited to offer this to our owners in the Asia Pacific region.

“The current solutions package will offer greater cost efficiency, consistent quality and faster delivery times for each new Marriott International property being designed from the ground up.”

Leveraging the Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform, the newly introduced suite of solutions provides an intelligent Cloud and 3D reference throughout the life cycle of a project, from early planning through design development to construction and operations. BIM prototypes can create an entire virtual hotel in days, instead of the months normally required. The flexibility of BIM means Marriott International's rigorous design guidelines are built right into the platform.

Customisations to guest rooms such as room size and furniture layouts are easily editable, with the rest of the design process automatically recalibrated to incorporate any type of changes, greatly improving coordination and workflow amongst the many stakeholders involved in the design process. With this, Marriott is offering a one-stop solution so that owners can have increased confidence that Marriott brand style guides and specifications are maintained throughout the entire process.

Using BIM technology and prototyping, high-resolution 3D Virtual Reality environments can be created faster than any other technology currently available. Another attractive advantage of using BIM technology -- an elevated experience, with virtual 'fly-through' tours of the proposed hotel, with visualisations of every design element shown in detail. This allows hotel owners to view in real time their entire hotel without having to wait for manual design renderings or construction.

One of the fastest-growing segments in Marriott's brand portfolio, the seven Select Service Brands offer travellers the quality of international brand names at moderate price points.

Comprising Fairfield by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, Moxy, Element and AC Hotels, Select Service offers innovative, trailblazing brands that are characterized by their affordability and signature fuss-free service.

 In 2020 alone, more than 50% of new hotel deals signed were in the select service brand category, underscoring the strong demand from owners for this segment that caters to mid-market consumers.

Image: Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda has successfully utilised Marriott’s proprietary BIM platform. Credit: Marriott International Inc.