M O D U L E

1
SITE DESIGN /
BUILDING EXTERIOR

International

Design Standards

J A N U A R Y 2005
1 - Site / Building Exterior Courtyard - International

Site / Building Exterior

Table of Contents

Subject ................................................................................... Page

A. General Design Requirements................................................. 1
B. Landscaping............................................................................. 3
C. Parking Requirements ........................................................... 10
D. Traffic Control, Regulation & Direction Signage .................... 12
E. Building Exterior..................................................................... 13
F. Porte Cochere........................................................................ 16
G. System Features.................................................................... 17

Module Organization
• This Module is a part of an integrated series of 17 Modules.
• Coordination with information from other Modules is required.
• The reference symbol <XX> is used to indicate a Module reference that
includes additional information.

Marriott Confidential and Proprietary Information

The contents of the Design Standards are confidential and proprietary to Marriott
International, Inc. and may not be reproduced, disclosed, distributed or used
without the express permission of an authorized representative of Marriott.
Copyright, Marriott International, Inc., unpublished material. All rights Reserved

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Site / Building Exterior

A. General Design Requirements

1. Project Essentials: The program for Site and Building
Exterior is defined by the following criteria and process.
Project Program: See Module <GR> - Establishing Hotel
Design Criteria for the process of integrating the Market
Analysis, project Facilities Program, Prototype plans and
Design Standards to define a Project Program.
2. Brand Essentials: The site is a distinct parcel with
adequate area for the buildings, parking, landscaping,
outdoor amenities and recreation. Create a clearly
identifiable identity that draws the guest towards the building
from afar. The arrival is clearly demarcated and provides an
intuitive point of entry. Typically, insulate the building site
from the surrounding environment through the appropriate
use of landscape buffers.
3. Loss Prevention Review - General: A Marriott Loss
Prevention Review is required to develop a site security and
safety assessment associated with the hotel’s location,
design and facilities. See Module <GR>.
The security and safety assessment review considers issues
such as the following examples:
• Perimeter access and security of the site and building.
• Controlled access to utilities.
• Location of air intakes.
• Site and building lighting.
4. Site Planning: On projects where a Courtyard is co-located
with other Marriott Brands, develop design solutions that
provide a selective level of connectivity and separation as is
appropriate between buildings for public and service
circulation.
• Suburban Site: Generally, low-density site and has more
opportunities for site development and amenities.
Typically, these include hotel entry, driveway, courtyard
and garden areas, terraces, walkways, screen and
planter walls, rails, fences, retaining walls and lighting,
revetments, gazebos, plantings, ponds, fountains
irrigation systems, water features, etc. See Module <4> -
Recreation for swimming and whirl pools, etc.
• Urban Site: A high-density property that has limited
exterior environment opportunities where outdoor guest
amenities can be developed. Typically, the design focus
is on the hotel facility such as the entrance, vehicle area
entry driveway / access, entry protection, planters and
limited site areas such as the roof area and courtyard,
etc. Also, see Module <4> - Recreation.

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5. Site Drainage: Develop a plan for the site and storm

water drainage.
• Connect downspouts to underground storm water,
drainage system.
• Size adequate storm drainage based on project
climate conditions that meet governing regulations /
codes.
• Provide adequate drainage at receiving area, with
slotted drain trench/grate openings not to exceed
1 inch wide.
6. Slopes: Provide as required with the following
protection:
• Fill Slopes: Do not exceed 3:1 unless compacted. If
slope exceeds 3:1, plant with erosion control, plant
material.
• Sod Slopes: Do not exceed 4:1.
• Highly visible areas: Plant with containerized material.
Hydroseed less visible slopes.
7. Submittals: See Modules <GR> and <16>. Generally,
submissions are required to obtain Marriott approval or
acceptance of proposed site materials and products.

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B. Landscaping
1. General: Develop a comprehensive landscape program and
theme with the goal of creating a year-round mature, green,
natural environment.
2. Design Objectives: Create overall visual appeal.
• Provide private and semi-private spaces.
• Emulate the spirit of the geographical region.
• Maintain existing trees of specimen quality.
• Assure regional, custom and climate compatibility.
3. Coordination: Coordinate landscaping requirements with
vehicular routes, parking, pedestrian circulation, pavement,
curbs, irrigation exterior lighting and governing regulations.
4. Plant and Material Selection: Provide regional and
indigenous plant materials.
• Use predominant "evergreen" perennial materials (70%
evergreen trees and 30% evergreen shrubs) to maintain
a lush image all year.
• Incorporate colorful seasonal and annual plant materials
at site and building entrances and landscaped focal
points.
• Provide plants complimentary in texture, scale and color.
• Provide annuals to compliment property architecture and
accent permanent landscape. Blocks of color with edging
of another plant material are preferred.
• Provide materials that minimize maintenance such as
low growing or dwarf plants rather than plants requiring
frequent pruning and selecting disease and pest
resistant plants.
• Provide planter bed borders to contain soil and mulch.
• Avoid plants with unpleasant odors or excessive
quantities of fruit, seeds, pods, or thorns.
• Provide mulch (not grass) around trees to provide a
grass mowing buffer and to retain moisture.
5. Landscaping Locations: Provide in order of priority for the
following areas:
• Courtyard
• Gazebo
• Main entrance and arrival sequence
• Building perimeter
• Site perimeter
• Parking areas
• Screen undesirable views

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COURTYARD - AREA PORTE COCHERE

COURTYARD - BUILDING

Example: Site Plan - Landscaping

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6. Courtyard: At suburban locations, provide an exterior

courtyard space to create an inviting and relaxing
environment as part of the landscape program.

Example: Courtyard Plan - Landscaping

• Plants: Incorporate plants which tolerate poorly drained
soils, due to potentially poor drainage caused by soil
compaction during construction and less sunlight.
• Pool Deck Area: Landscape within fenced area of pool
using ornamental trees, shrubs, groundcovers and
perennials if allowed by space and governing codes.
• Plant Containers: If space restricts in-ground planting,
provide several large planting pots on pool deck.
• Shade Trees: Avoid using large trees that create shade
in sunning area.
• Flowering Trees: Do not use trees that drop blooms on
paved and deck areas.
• Gazebo Area: Highlight with ornamental shrubs and
groundcover. Provide some turf areas for small
gatherings.
• Sun Patio: Provide outside to include tables, chairs and
umbrellas.
• Garden Wall: 2.4 m (8 ft.) high at main exterior space or
in courtyard space with finished masonry to match
building façade.
• Provide ornamental railings (only when approved for
view), and ornamental gates for service and emergency
access for guests.

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7. Patios: Provide only at ground level guestrooms facing

the courtyard area with the following features.
• Sense of privacy for guest.
• Guest access to courtyard area.
• Through lawn or planting area by means of stepping
stones or paved walk if leading from accessible guest
room.
8. Gazebo: Provide in courtyard area (see above). For
geographical regions where a wood structure is not
feasible, a ‘gazebo’ type structure that reflects regional
architectural influence may be acceptable if design
approval is obtained from Marriott.
• Size: 5 m (15 ft.) diameter.
• Finishes: Stain to match building exterior. Provide light
broom finished concrete floor.
• Lighting / Electrical: One surface mounted light fixture
and weatherproof duplex outlet.
9. Main Entrance and Arrival Sequence: Design to create
an interesting approach to site and clearly lead guests to
the registration lobby.
• Place landscaping to provide the greatest impact
during guest’s arrival experience.
• Achieve through road alignment, street trees and
seasonal flowerbeds.
• Provide landscape materials at the entry drive, main
entrance and courtyard areas of sufficient size to
exhibit sense of maturity at planting.
• At entrance and road frontage, provide seasonal color
at 14 m2 (150 sq. ft.) minimum, backed by mass of
evergreen shrubs.
• Extend entrance planting bed into road frontage to
maximize impact.
• Use trees (shade, evergreen and ornamental) along
frontage to provide visual appeal, and break up large
Example: Entrance Plan
mass of parking.
• At entrance monument sign, provide planting bed to
accentuate signage.
• Incorporate seasonal color 9.3 m2 (100 sq. ft.)
minimum of and plantings to draw focus to sign.
• At building entrance, provide seasonal color of 9.3 m2
(100 sq. ft.) minimum, ornamental trees and shrubs.
• Where adequate space permits, include some (40%
maximum) sodded lawn area.
• Locate plants to avoid blocking signage at ground
level or on building.

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10. Building Perimeter: Design and landscape the building

perimeter to achieve the following:
• Accentuate the architecture and provide human scale.
• Provide a foundation for applicable building heights
• Design plantings at ends of building to draw attention to
entrances.
• Use three groupings of medium to large shrubs on
building corners.
• Use low growing shrubs / groundcover facing low
windows.
• Provide ornamental and shade trees in bed areas around
building.
• Minimize turf / lawn (not to exceed 10%) in contact with
the building.
• Where space permits 5 m (15 ft) or more, layer the
landscape with shrubs, groundcover and lawn.
• If turf areas are visible to public or guest, provide sod.
Hydroseed remaining areas.
11. Site Perimeter: Sites that front onto a primary access road
and do not have an entrance treatment shall have minimum
of 40% planted beds.
• Turf Areas: Sod where visible to public or guest.
Hydroseed other areas:
• Containerized Material: Where highly visible.
• Objectionable Views: Screen with evergreen and/or
shrubs.
• Slopes: See requirements above.
12. Parking Areas: Provide a visual relief from parked cars and
pavement as follows:
• Landscaped Islands: 2.7 x 5.5 m (9 x 18 ft.) minimum in
parking area when more than 16 spaces occur in a row.
• Trees: Provide for shade trees beyond 1.5 m (5 ft.) of
pavement; center on parking stripe. Locate trees 4.6 m
(15 ft.) minimum from light standards / poles. Do not use
conifers.
• Lawn: Provide groundcover or sod.
• Shrubs: 1.2 m (4 ft.) minimum in back of curb.
13. Undesirable Views: Select plantings to screen undesirable
views such as the following:
• Equipment, service areas and parking from the hotel
entrance.
• Guest room windows and terraces from car headlights if
view cannot be avoided.
• Vehicular headlight glare into guest rooms / public
spaces

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14. Locating and Screening Site Utilities: <15>

• Electrical Transformer: Locate in rear of building close
to the building (to reduce cost of secondary feed).
• Gas Meter: Locate away from main vehicular
entrance, at rear or side of building and not in direct
view to guests
• Water Meter: Locate water service and meter pit a
minimum of 23 m (75 ft.) away from vehicular
entrance and out of direct view to guests.
• Use mass of evergreen plant material for screening.
• Do not ‘box’ the enclosure with a single row of plant
material unless forced by space limitations.
• Do not block access to doors.
• Comply with electric authority regulating gas/water
meters.
• Screen with evergreen plant material to allow access
for reading meter / water pit meter as applicable.
• Provide sod around area if slope permits.
15. Locating and Screening Other Site Structures
• Satellite Dish: 46 cm (18 inch) digital satellite. Verify
direction of signal with Marriott and locate on site or
on building away from prominent visible area, so
obstructions do not block the signal.
• Satellite Dish (larger than 46 cm (18 inch) dish):
Screen with mass of evergreen plant material but do
not block incoming signal with plants (verify direction
with Marriott).
• Air-Cooled Condensing Unit Clusters: <15> Locate
clusters in Service Yard or along exterior of Courtyard
wall.
• Provide minimum of one frost-proof yard hydrant for
each condensing unit cluster to facilitate cleaning of
condensing coils.
• Provide minimum of one duplex receptacle to facilitate
maintenance and service at unit clusters.
• Screen air-cooled condensing unit clusters by
landscaping in the form of shrubs and vines to
supplement architectural screening.
• Allow 90 cm (3 ft.) minimum access for maintenance
and future equipment replacement.
• Screen dumpster enclosures with mass of evergreen
plant material. Do not ‘box’ the enclosure with a single
row of plant material unless forced to by space
limitations.

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16. Irrigation System: Include a drip type, irrigation system for

landscaped areas with the following features.
• Provide automatic system with lawn areas zoned
separately from planting beds.
• Provide pop-up lawn heads.
• Heads adjacent to parking areas: Provide short pop-ups
with low trajectory sprays and mounted on swivel joint
assemblies.
• Sprinklers located near curbs: Provide adjustable heads
and flexible connections.
• Locate irrigation control panels in a mechanical room,
away from the main entry and concealed from guest
view.
17. Walkways: Provide pedestrian circulation built of durable
material. Include the following:
• 1.5 m (5 ft.) wide minimum.
• Lighted pedestrian paths, ramps and stairs.
• Light broom-finished concrete with slip resistance factor
of 0.6 wet/dry.
18. Ramps:
• Preferred over stairs and steps since ramps provide
universal accessibility.
• Slope: 1:12 (8%) maximum slope with handrails.
• Light broom-finished concrete with slip resistance factor
of 0.8 wet/dry.
19. Stairs and Steps:
• Risers: Minimum 2 risers (avoid single steps) at 17.8 cm
(7 inch) maximum height and 10 cm (4 inch) minimum
height.
• Tread: 27.9 cm (11 inch) deep minimum with abrasive
nosing.
• Handrails: Required both sides of stairs, for safety and to
visually announce stairs.
20. Guardrails: 1.1 m (3'-6") high with maximum opening to
reject a 10 cm (4 inch) ball at level changes over 7 cm
(2'-4").
21. Signage:
• Provide a pylon / monument sign <16B> at site entrance
for highway visibility.
• Obtain governing authority approval for pylon sign.
22. Site Fencing:
• Use to define property boundaries, screen unsightly
adjacencies, or as defined by Marriott for the project.
• Provide at detention ponds, outdoor pools <4> and to
enhanced security if in a security sensitive area as
determined by Loss Prevention Review.

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23. Site Lighting: <15C> Adequately illuminate site.

• Type: Provide uniform soft white, metal halide lights.
• Pedestrian Areas: Provide 10 lux (1.0 fc) minimum
illumination for site areas.
• Gazebo Lights / Power: Provide lighting and power in
gazebo and at building entries.
• Parking Lot: Mount lighting on poles approximately
6 m (20 ft.) high. Do not mount lighting on building.
Locate on exterior perimeter of parking. Align poles
with parking stripe.
• Bollards: Use to illuminate walkways, particularly
those in remote locations and in courtyards.
• Steps: Provide lighting.
• Controls: Provide photoelectric cell or a timer control.

C. Parking Requirements
1. General: Locate paved parking areas convenient to hotel
entrances without compromising guest privacy and
comfort.
2. Parking Spaces:
• Quantity: See Facilities Program. Typically, 1 space
per guestroom dedicated to hotel use.
• Space Size: 2.7 x 6 m (9 x 20 ft.) minimum with drive
aisle of 7.3 m (24 ft.). In regions with predominately
small cars, spaces may be reduced to 2.6 x 5.5 m
(8’-6” x 18 ft.).
• Arrangement: Head-in parking, but avoid spaces
facing guestroom windows.
3. Accessible Spaces: Comply with governing regulations
for quantity, size and configuration.
• Locate close to hotel entrances.
• Provide applicable signage.

Example: Accessible Parking

4. Pavement: Hard surfaced (asphalt or concrete).
5. Curb Height: 15 cm (6 inch) maximum to avoid car
damage.

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6. Parking Structures: If a project requires a parking structure

refer to the Marriott International Hotel Design Standard for
design criteria.
7. Valet: Provide when necessary and include secure
designated areas for valet parking.
8. Features: Provide the following:
• Drainage to surface water collection system
• Painted pavement markings for applicable parking, non-
parking areas and traffic flow.
• Landscaping: Comply with project landscape
requirements.
9. Lighting: Comply with governing regulations and security
requirements <GR>. Provide a minimum of 10 lux (1 fc)
maintained, at parking areas. See Module <15C>.

COURTYARD - BUILDING

Example: Parking Arrangement – Partial Site Plan

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D. Traffic Control, Regulation & Direction Signage

1. Vehicular & Exterior Directional Signs: Coordinate
vehicle signage with pedestrian and the overall project
signage planning requirements in Module <16B>.
• Minimize information items; limit to three items
whenever possible.
• Provide decision point and destination point items
only.
• Scale / distance for vehicular use.
• If possible locate signage discreetly at Porte Cochere
indicating fire lanes.
2. International Symbol Standards:
• Use sign panels that conform to the International
System of Symbol Signs. These signs are used in all
but closely aligned United States territories.
• Examples of International sign panels:

3. Traffic Control on Site: Provide normal traffic control

signage; avoid electronic signaling devices.
• Find and use applicable local and regional regulations.
Verify requirements with fire department having
jurisdiction and other governing officials.
• Indicate traffic direction, parking restrictions, roadway
intersection regulations and speed and other
limitations.

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E. Building Exterior
1. Brand Essential: The architecture is residential in scale and
detail yet stylized in its context to achieve a contemporary,
“progressive” appearance. The materials are of high quality,
such as stucco or precast integrating brick or stone in a
contextually appropriate composition. Building and entrance
signage is clearly and thoughtfully placed. The key signature
elements of the building exterior include a central “signature”
tower that anchors the building. Upscale architecture and
timeless design elements contribute to the high quality image
that defines the Brand. A striking color palette separates the
Brand from its competitors and contributes to the building’s
fresh, clean appearance.
Diversity: Marriott encourages respect for the diversity of
site locations and supports designs that are sympathetic to
the site context while retaining a sense of the traditional
Courtyard design.

2. Building Materials: Provide durable and easily maintained

so that the building retains a timeless appearance.
• Innovation in incorporating Marriott's objectives is
encouraged.
• Colors and finishes are carefully reviewed by Marriott to
assure the image of the building is consistent with
Marriott's Brand approach.
• Courtyard properties are characterized by residential
scale, detailing and finishes.

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3. Building Envelope: The exterior building design image

supports Marriott's reputation and tradition of providing
dependable service and timeless value. Generally, this is
achieved by:
• Utilizing durable, low maintenance materials. Avoid
low grade materials such as vinyl siding.
• Articulating guestroom modules and building
functions.
• Focusing high quality, durable finishes at guest
circulation locations.
• Providing clear glass (avoid reflective / tinted, except
at atriums or other similar glazed structures).
• Utilizing a neutral color palette.
• Incorporating the building's regional context.
4. Weather Resistance:
• Water Resistant Exterior Shell: Do not rely on a single
stage (barrier) system.
• Provide secondary drainage capability and
condensation weeps that drain to the exterior.
5. Windows: Provide double-glazing unless acoustic
comfort and energy efficiency dictates additional
requirements.
• Area of guest room exterior glazing: 40% minimum.
• Operable preferred. Maximum opening 10 cm (4 inch)
with "key" for maintenance operation.
• Utilize secondary weep (drainage) system.
6. Maintenance: Provide for window washing and exterior
building envelope maintenance.
7. Insulation / Vapor Barrier: Required to provide long-
term energy efficiency and guest comfort.
8. Acoustic Control: Select building envelope materials,
building systems (including roof, doors, windows,
louvers, etc.) and mechanical equipment based on the
criteria below.
• Environmental Noise Sources: If the project site is
near a source of noise (airport, highway, trains,
industrial activity, mechanical equipment, etc.) that
could be disruptive to guests, employ an acoustic
consultant to conduct an acoustics survey and define
acoustic criteria and controls. Consider project
location, day / evening operations and adjacency to
noise sources.
• Guestroom Areas: Limit highway noise intrusion levels
to Hourly Equivalent Levels (LEQ) of 45 dBA for day;
40 dBA at night.

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• Short-Term Noise: 50 dBA for short-term (day/night)

noise such as sirens and low level helicopter flights.
Day - Night Level (LDN) of 45 dBA for aircraft noise level
intrusion.
• Meeting Spaces: Limit noise intrusion levels to 40 dBA
minimum or as determined by consultant’s report and
accepted by Marriott.
9. Roof: Provide long term, low maintenance service life with
neat appearance and the following:
• Positive slope to drain water without ponding. Connect
roof drainage to storm drainage system.
• Insulate to provide long-term energy economy.
• Avoid placing equipment on roof.
• Screen equipment from guest view.
10. Balcony / Terrace Guardrails: When required, provide the
following:
• Height: 1.1 m (3’-6”) minimum
• Opening: Maximum opening to reject a 10 cm (4 inch)
ball; 5 cm (2 inch) at deck and floor.
11. Building Entrances: See Porte Cochere requirements
below.
• Provide inviting and safe transition to interior.
• Refer to Landscaping in this Module for ramps / stairs.
• Signage <16B> required to identify Courtyard property.
12. Lighting: Provide to emphasize building entrance locations,
create a sense of arrival and to enhance safety and security.
Coordinate with site lighting requirements above to achieve
design standards lighting levels. <15C>

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F. Porte Cochere
1. General: Visible immediately upon entering site and well
lighted. Design complements the building and
architecture of the region.

Example: Porte Cochere - Plan

2. Space Planning: Avoid circulation conflicts between

vehicles and guests, baggage handling and areas for
waiting, arriving, or departing guests.
• Protected Area: Provide overhead protection from
rain, snow for length of drop-off area and full width of
minimum traffic lanes.
• Taxi: Allow space for taxi queuing within visual sight of
Main Entry, but away from vehicle and guest entrance.
• Buses: Accommodate bus arrival and parking to avoid
congestion at the porte cochere area.
3. Location: Vehicle and guest arrival at Main Lobby to
accommodate guest arrival / departures.

Í COURTYARD BUILDING Î

PORTE COCHERE

Example: Porte Cochere – Relative to Building & Site

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4. Size/Area:
• Vehicle Lanes: 2 traffic lanes minimum at 7.3 m (24 ft.)
total under protected areas plus one passing lane.
• Vehicle Clearance: Typically 4.2 m (14 ft.) structure
clearance to accommodate tallest truck, bus or
emergency vehicle anticipated to pass through the porte
cochere.
• Curb to Entrance Distance: 3 m (10 ft.) minimum by
length of protected drop-off area.

Examples: Porte Cochere - Elevations

5. Features:
• Entrance Drive Paving: Level and flush with walkway for
full length of protected drop-off area to facilitate luggage
carts and allow for guest accessibility. Warp shape of
concrete curb at ends of drop-off.
• Surface Drainage: Provide positive slope to drains to
avoid ponding water. Slope entrance paving away from
lobby entrance door.
• Storm Drains: Avoid placing drain grates at entrance
area to minimize tripping.
• Background Music: <13D> Provide exterior speakers
connected to music source system.
• Lighting: Provide for visual evening identification and
safety.

G. System Features
1. Coordination: Coordinate with requirements of other
Modules including:
• 13D - Audio / Visual
• 13E - Security
• 14 - Fire Protection / Life Safety
• 16 - Project Products Catalog Data
• 16B - Signage & Graphics

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