Azernews.Az

By Seymur Aliyev, AzerNews Staff Writer

ReardonSmith Architects, an award-winning global leader in hotel and resort design, has recently completed the construction of a five-star JW Marriott Absheron hotel.

Managing Director of ReardonSmith Architects, Conrad Smith, told AzerNews in an interview about the specifics of brilliant projects implemented in Azerbaijan.

Q. JW Marriot Absheron Baku was a very successful project in Azerbaijan. What innovations did the company apply while constructing it?

Conrad Smith: In designing the JW Marriott, special attention was paid to seismic design and also to the main glazed facades because of the exceptionally high wind loads prevalent in Baku. Ten meter high bow trusses stabilised the lower floor glazing and, due to the wide temperature differences in Baku, the glazing was [made while ensuring] temperature control, triple glazing with a low 'E' coating. An innovative shadow box design was conceived for a unitised glass facade incorporating glass spandrel panels between floors and guest room dividing walls.

In order to achieve a consistent quality and colour of the stone for the exterior rain screed cladding, high pressure stone aggregate blocks were kiln-fired and the cladding panels were sliced from these.

Q.: What criteria do you take into account while creating a new construction, considering that Baku has a specific architecture?

C.S.: Azerbaijan has a wealth of historical and contemporary architecture and at ReardonSmith we always believe that a building should sit comfortably with its architectural neighbours and have relevance to its location. Therefore every building that ReardonSmith designs is individual and specific to the client's needs. For example, the Four Seasons and the JW Marriott were both designed by ReardonSmith, but in terms of styling are completely different, meeting the wishes of the Client and the specific brief for each hotel project.

Q.: Does the company plan to supplement the list of stylish buildings in Azerbaijan in the future? What grandiose projects could the Azerbaijanis expect from ReardonSmith Architects?

C.S.: We would be honoured to be considered for future projects in Baku and relish the challenge of designing further individual quality hotels in Azerbaijan.

Marriott Absheron

The JW Marriott Absheron, Four Seasons Baku and two hotels within the Shahdag Ski Resort built in Azerbaijan have entered the company's list of most recent projects that included many famous hotels such as Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane, Savoy, also located in London, Inter Continental in Moscow, Hersham Golf Club and Hotel in Surrey, UK, etc. The company's achievement stems from its profound understanding of hotels -- as an asset, an operation and as a guest experience.

New construction innovations were used during the building of the JW Marriott Absheron.

The JW Marriott Absheron has 243 large guestrooms and suites. There is also a double height rooftop pool hall and spa.

"The completion of the JW Marriott Absheron marks a very special milestone in the evolution of ReardonSmith," the company said. "We are well-known for award winning hotel restoration and refurbishment projects and now this new hotel, designed to compete with the best in the world, demonstrates that we also deliver modern new buildings fit for leading international hotel brands."

It was also a principle objective to provide one of the most extensive and sought-after food and beverage offerings in the city and to accommodate the JW Marriott feature of a multi-use "Great Room".

The total building form is dramatic with the residences and serviced apartments segregated in two oval balconied "wings" which frame the central fully-glazed component, crowned by a roof that curves in its own plane. The impression is of a building that appears to be fluid and in motion.

The JW Marriott Absheron is part of a high-rise mixed-use development comprising 16 floors of private residences, serviced apartments, retail and offices as well as the 23-storey hotel -- all of which have been designed by ReardonSmith Architects.

The result is a contemporary building sited on a formal axis within a newly landscaped park, relating to and reflecting the monumental Azadliq Square. The park flows into gardens and these rise up a stepped incline providing a ceremonial promenade through a landscaped urban garden to the restaurant terraces and onto the entrance to the restaurants, bars and function spaces at first upper floor level. The outdoor area also creates a tiered seating amenity from which to watch the festivals and events that take place in the square.

The facade is 50% glass, coated and triple glazed for energy efficiency with perforated trusses introduced at podium level to stabilize the fascia against Baku's high winds. A balance of horizontal and vertical elements creates rhythm to the building while the cast stone panels and frameless glazed elements have been assembled in a minimal manner to ensure simplicity of construction and appearance.