DRAGON-INSPIRED HOTEL CONVEYS
vietnamese hospitality
An international Building Team unites to create
Vietnam’s first JW Marriott luxury property.
BY RAISSA ROCHA, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
T
he JW Marriott brand holds high standards for its luxury ho-
tels, and the new property in Hanoi, Vietnam, is no different.
The 74,384-sm building conveys a distinct Vietnamese flair,
with its stylized dragon form inspired by local mythology and
the country’s coastline.
Sited next to the Vietnam National Convention Center and the
Hanoi Museum, convenient to nearby tourist attractions, the JW
Marriott Hanoi greets visitors with a landscaped, semi-circular
courtyard. Below this raised entry plaza lies a podium level hous-
ing two ballrooms; meeting facilities; dining, bar, and lounge areas;
three levels of indoor parking; and back-of-house support functions.
Atop the podium, the hotel includes a grand lobby, 450 guest rooms
and suites, an executive lounge, a glass-enclosed rooftop swimming
pool, and a fitness center.
The hotel is built for ADA compliance, even though no such laws
currently exist in Vietnam. Accommodations include wider entry
corridors in several rooms and special considerations in bathroom
facilities. Elegant finishes are a priority throughout.
“It’s not easy working with Marriott’s standards,” remarks Building
44 JUNE 2014 BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION
Team Awards judge Susan Heinking, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP O+M,
Vice President and Director of Sustainability at VOA Associates.
Indeed, this Building Team had to navigate a thicket of design require-
ments, including directives from owner Bitexco Group, Marriott Inter-
national, and the neighboring Vietnam National Convention Center.
Marriott’s in-house architectural group—responsible for overseeing
design of all the brand’s hotels and resorts—was brought in at several
stages for input and approval, but adherence to their standards proved
difficult when financial problems led to a two-year delay. Marriott criteria
had changed in the interim, and new design styles caused previously
selected finishes to be rejected. In addition, the clients decided to
reorganize the site to make room for two villas, scrapping plans to build
tennis courts and install a significant amount of landscaping.
Even basic communication was a concern, with Building Team
members and consultants such as Turner Construction, Carlos Zapata
Studio, Leslie E. Robertson Associates, and DSA Engineering scattered
among offices in nine different countries. The firms decided early on
that English would be the standard for all communications.
Vietnam is still a developing country in many aspects, so there was
www.BDCnetwork.com

The JW Marriott Hanoi features an unusual
cantilevered design, with a curled shape
inspired by the form of a dragon. The arms
of the hotel shelter a raised entry plaza.
VU LONG / COURTESY TURNER VIETNAM
The structure is constructed on a podium, with ballrooms and restau-
rants on the lowest floor enjoying riverfront views.
concern about the availability of skilled workers. Safety was also para-
mount, with Turner implementing weekly training sessions and audits
to reinforce this priority for crews. Figuring out the best way to deploy
teams—and to keep employees reporting through delays and cash-
flow difficulties—made construction management even more complex.
The Building Team brought in international consultants and
engineers when expertise was needed on elements unfamiliar to
Vietnamese partner firms, such as the cantilevered design and
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PROJECT SUMMARY
GOLD AWARD
JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel
Hanoi, Vietnam
BUILDING TEAM
Submitting firm: Turner International – Vietnam (CM)
Owner/developer: Bitexco Group
Hotel operator: Marriott International
Architect: Carlos Zapata Studio
Architect of record: Viet Nam National Construction Consultants Corporation
Interior architects: Peter Silling & Associates Hotel Interior Design;
COURTESY MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
DWP | Design Worldwide Partnership
Structural: Leslie E. Robertson Associates
Foundation: GECI
MEP: DSA Engineering Contractors: Hyundai Engineering & Construction;
Delta Civil and Industrial Construction; Trung A. Stock Construction
GENERAL INFORMATION
Project size: 74,384 sm
Construction cost: Confidential at owner’s request
Construction period: November 2009 to September 2013
Delivery method: PM/CM as agent, fast-track
NGUYEN HAI VAN / COURTESY TURNER VIETNAM
A curtain wall system at the podium level brings natural light into the
hotel’s café. Elegant finishes were a priority for the owner.
structural steel construction. Sika, which supplied the waterproofing
system for the podium roof, sent employees to train contractors on-
site to prevent leaks that could threaten the ballrooms below.
The way the JW Marriott Hanoi came together in spite of the
obstacles and difficulty level impressed the Building Team Awards
judges. Says juror Matthew Dumich, AIA, of Adrian Smith + Gordon
Gill Architecture: “It’s as if someone said, ‘No one knows how to do
any of this stuff. Let’s do it anyway.’ And it works.” +
BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION JUNE 2014 45
 Project Information Sheet

Project Name and Location (city/state)

JW Marriott Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam

__________________________________________________________________________

Name of Firm Submitting this Entry

Turner Vietnam
__________________________________________________________________________

Construction Start and Finish Dates

November 2009 to September 2013

__________________________________________________________________________

Project Size (Gross Square Feet)

Site Area: 79,000 m2; Construction floor area: 74,384 m2

__________________________________________________________________________

Delivery Method/Contract Type (Design/Bid/Build, Design/Build, CM at Risk, etc.)

Fast track, PM/CM as agent

__________________________________________________________________________

*Total Project Cost (required information)

CONFIDENTIAL AT CLIENT REQUEST

__________________________________________________________________________

*You may supply financial information confidentially, if necessary. We understand that

certain clients are sensitive about revealing financial details. Although we prefer to have
the total project cost included in the entry, if you have a situation where the client
demands confidentiality, you may write “Confidential at Client Request” in the space
above.

However, to be eligible, you must also email (rcassidy@sgcmail.com) or mail a single

copy of the financial information to: Robert Cassidy, Editorial Director, BD+C, 3030 W.
Salt Creek Lane, Ste. 201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. As BD+C’s editorial director, I
promise to keep the details of this information confidential and will only supply “ranges”
of information to the judges as needed to help in their deliberations. Should your project
win, the financial information will not be published in BD+C. This procedure is necessary
to ensure that we are fair to all entries and the judges have enough information to do
their job.

Principal Member Firms of the Building Team

(required information)
Name of Person/Firm Submitting this Entry

Firm Name: Turner Vietnam

Key Contact Person: Le Yen Thi

Street: Level 19, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu, District 1

City: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +84938.33.3883

Email: tle@tcco.com

Owner/Developer

Firm Name: BITEXCO GROUP OF COMPANIES

Key Contact Person: Mr. Francis Nunez

Street: 2nd Floor, The Manor Tower, My Dinh Me tri Urban

City: Hanoi, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code:

Phone: + 84914612164

Email: francis.pcmg@bitexco.com.vn

Hotel Operator

Firm Name: Marriott International, Inc.

Key Contact Person: Mr. Robert Fabiano

Street: 10400 Ferwood Road, Bethesda

City: Bethesda, USA

State: Maryland

Zip/Code: 20817

Phone + 84962929396

Email: Robert.Fabiano@marriott.com

Architect or Architect/Engineer

Firm Name: Carlos Zapata Studio

Key Contact Person: Anthony Montalto

Street: 520 Broadway, 8th Floor

City: New York City

State: New York, USA

Zip/Code: 10012

Phone: +212-966-9292

Email: amontalto@cz-studio.com

Architect of Record (Local)

Firm Name: Viet Nam National Construction Consultants Corporation (VNCC)

Key Contact Person: Nguyen Ba Hung

Street: 243 De La Thanh

City: Hanoi, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code:

Phone: +84913574224
Email: hungnb@vncc.com

Interior Architect Guestroom, Public area

Firm Name: PETER SILLING & ASSOCIATES Hotel Interior Design Ltd.

Key Contact Person: Wing-Shun Leung.

Street: Level 22 | 28 Hennessy Road

City: Hong Kong, Hong Kong

State:

Zip/Code: 852 (Area Code)

Phone: +852 2523 9000

Email: wingshun.l@hotelinteriordesign.com.hk

Interior Architect Restaurant, Back of House

Firm Name: DWP | Design Worldwide Partnership.

Key Contact Person: James Douglas Leo Campbell.

Street: 3A-3B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

City: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +841234615356

Email: James.C@dwp.com

Structural Engineer

Firm Name: LESLIE E. ROBERTSON ASSOCIATES (LERA), R.L.L.P.

Key Contact Person: MR. WILLIAM J. FASCHAN

Street: 30 Broad Street, 47th Floor

City: New York City

State: New York

Zip/Code: 10004-2304

Phone: (212) 750-9000

Email: william.faschan@lera.com

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineer

Firm Name: DSA ENGINEERING LIMITED

Key Contact Person: Mr. Mark A. Whorlow

Street: Great Titchfield House, 14-18 Great Titchfield Street

City: London, England

State:

Zip/Code: W1W 8BD

Phone: +44 (0) 7850 747 135

Email:Mark.Whorlow@dsaengineers.com

Foundation Engineer

Firm Name: GCEI (Vietnam)

Key Contact Person: Pham Quang Hung

Street: 55, Giai Phong street, Dong Tam, Hai Ba Trung district

City: Hanoi
State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone:

Email:

Fire and Life safety Engineer

Firm Name: VIETNAM BUILDING TECHNOLOGY COMPANY (VNBT)

Key Contact Person: Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan

Street: No 47 – Group 41 – Trung Hoa Ward – Cau Giay District

City: Hanoi, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code:

Phone: +8449122720

Email: tuan.vnbt@gmail.com

Kitchen Consultant

Firm Name: KEJURUTERAAN KELULI KILAT JUARA SDN. BDN.

Key Contact Person: Mr. K.K Chan

Street: No. 135 (12A), Lot 1995, 6 1/2 Miles, Jalan Puchong

City: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

State:

Zip/Code: 58200

Phone: +601 (9) 3315486

Email: kejuara@gmail.com
Façade Consultant

Firm Name: AURECON Australia – International Projects Pty., Ltd.

Key Contact Person: Kim Voon Lee

Street: Aurecon Centre Level 8, 850 Collins Street Docklands

City: Victoria, Australia

State: South Melbourne

Zip/Code: PO Box 321, South Melbourne

Phone: +65 6256 6188 Ext 263

Email: KimVoon.Lee@aurecongroup.com

F&B Logo Design

Firm Name: GRAPHIA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.

Key Contact Person: Mr. David Osborne

Street: Tung Sun Commercial Centre, 6/F, 200 Lockhart Road, Wanchai

City: Hong Kong

State:

Zip/Code: 852 (Area Code)

Phone: +852 2511 1318

Email: graphia@graphiabrands.com

QS Consultant

Firm Name: LANGDON & SEAH VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED.

Key Contact Person: Mr. Mark Olive

Street: 9th Level Unit E, VTP Building, 8 Nguyen Hue

City: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +84903217832

Email: mark.olive@vn.langdonseah.com

FF&E and OS&E Procurement Consultant

Firm Name: THE CHRIS GARROD PARTNERSHIP.

Key Contact Person: Mr. Sammy Chotirmal

Street: suite 2304-05, 23/F Kwan Chart Tower, 7 Tonnochy Road, Wanchai

City: Hong Kong

State:

Zip/Code: 852 (Area Code)

Phone: +852-2790-8515

Email: sammy@hospitalitysolutionshk.com

Local regulation confirmation Consultant

Firm Name: Apave Vietnam & South Asia.

Key Contact Person: Mr. Do Manh Hien

Street: 9th Floor, HH3 Building, My Dinh, Me Tri, Tu Liem

City: Hanoi

State:

Zip/Code:
Phone: +84437565556

Email: hiendm@apave.com.vn

Main & MEP Contractor

Firm Name: HYUNDAI ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED

Key Contact Person: Jung Hee Lee

Street: Hyundai E&C Bldg. 140-2, Kye-dong, Jongno-gu

City: Seoul, South Korean

State:

Zip/Code: 110-920

Phone: +84 902158089

Email: junglee@hdec.co.kr

Bore Pile Contractor: Delta (Vietnam)

Firm Name: DELTA CIVIL AND INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

Key Contact Person: To Dam Hung

Street: 183 Ba Trieu

City: Hanoi

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +8448217885

Email: dahutohn@fpt.vn

Pressed Pile Contractor: TACO (Vietnam)

Firm Name: TRUNG A STOCK CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Key Contact Person: Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong

Street: No.5, Group 2 Cong Vi, Ba Dinh

City: Hanoi

State:

Zip/Code:

Phone: +8448437815

Email: ncuongtaco@gmail.com

Elevator Contractor: KONE (Finland)

Firm Name: KONE Vietnam LLC (Elevators & Escalators)

Key Contact Person: Mr. Dang Nghia

Street: 18 Centerpoint Building, #08-03A, 106 Nguyen Van Troi, Ward 8, Phu Nhuan

City: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code:

Phone: +84 90 6882669

Email: nghia.truong-dang@kone.com

Façade Contractor: Guangzhou Jangho (China)

Firm Name: GUANGZHOU JANGHO CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

Key Contact Person: Mr. Patrick Goh

Street: Xintang town, Zengcheng, Guangzhou,PRC,511340

City: Guangzhou, China

State:

Zip/Code: 511340

Phone: +6597763041
Email: patrick.goh@jangho.com.sg
IR and AV System Contractor: Jin-Long (Taiwan)

Firm Name: JIN LONG SYSTEM INTEGRATION CO., LTD.

Key Contact Person: Mr. Nick Jane

Street: 3F, No.244, sec 3, Cheng-Teh Rd.

City: Taipei, Taiwan

State:

Zip/Code:

Phone: +886 2 2587 2066(202)

Email: jinlonge@ms9.hinet.net

Kitchen and Laundry Contractor: BTI (Vietnam)

Firm Name: QUOCTE BAOTHACH CORPORATION

Key Contact Person: Mr. Le Van Ha

Street: 289 D3 Street, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District

City: Ho Chi Minh

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +84 8 35115081

Email: ha@btcorp.com.vn

BOH Interior Finishes Contractor: Minh Tien (Vietnam)

Firm Name: MINH TIEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Key Contact Person: Mr. Nguyen Van Toan

Street: 1st Floor, Block B, The Manor, My Dinh, Me Tri, Tu Liem

City: Hanoi

State:

Zip/Code: N/A
Phone: + 84 4 3785 2474

Email: toannguyen@minhtien.com.vn

Guestroom, Public and Restaurant Interior Finishes Contractor: AA Corporation

(Vietnam)

Firm Name: AA CORPORATION

Key Contact Person: Mr. Nguyen Sanh Dinh

Street: 15 Nguyen Duy Hieu, District 2, Thao Dien

City: Ho Chi Minh

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +84 8 37442728

Email: dinhns@aacorporation.biz

Construction Manager or Program Manager

Firm Name: Turner Vietnam

Key Contact Person: Ha Vinh Anh

Street: Level 19, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu, District 1

City: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +84934541881

Email: ahavinh@tcco.com

Photography Rights (required information)

Name of Photographer: Nguyen Hai Van

Photographer's Firm: Turner Vietnam

Street: Level 19, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu, District 1

City: Ho Chi Minh

State:

Zip/Code: N/A

Phone: +84838215920

Email: vnguyen@tcco.com

Key contact person (if different from above)

____________________________________________________

Phone_________________ Email__________________________

Who owns the rights to the photography you are submitting with your entry?

[ x] Submitting firm owns all rights to photography (editorial use, marketing, advertising, Internet)

[ ] Submitting firm owns only rights to editorial use of photography; photographer owns all other
rights.

[x ] Photographer owns all rights.

[ ] Submitting firm not sure what photography rights it owns.