Hotel Spec finds out more about the new JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa; the luxury resort that opened January 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, which earned LEED certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) rating system.
Designed by HKS Hill Glazier Studio and developed by Miller-Global Properties, LLC, the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort offers 1,002 spacious rooms, a three-level, 370,000 sq ft conference facility with an expo hall, ballrooms, and 125,000 sq ft of elegant meeting space, a luxurious spa, upscale fitness facilities and retail areas.
“Building sustainable properties is the right thing to do,” said Steve McGuire, director of engineering, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. He continued: “Our environmental vision is to be the global hospitality leader that demonstrates how responsible hospitality management can be a positive force for the environment and create economic opportunities around the world, and by example, inspire personal action in the communities where we operate.”
“Our goal was to design a building that sustainably complements the area’s natural and architectural beauty,” said HKS project designer Clifford Horsak, AIA. “We met the challenge by using the topography of the site to our advantage and incorporating regionally sourced materials such as stone, concrete and limestone. Highly reflective roofing materials are used to mitigate the urban heat island effect.”
Additional green initiatives include:
• Windtricity – More than 70 per cent of the resort’s power needs is powered by Windtricity, a clean and green power source.
• Water Efficient Landscaping – Texas native plants and a recycled cooling tower reduces the need for water irrigation by 50 per cent.
• Smart Energy Systems – Sensors in the heating and cooling systems recognise when doors to the balcony are open, and automatically shuts down to conserve energy.
• Indoor Environmental Quality – Low-emitting paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants are used to prevent harmful odours and contamination.
• Low-Flow Showerheads and Toilets – These save significant potable water
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs – Energy star-labeled compact fluorescent light bulbs use approximately 75 per cent less energy.
• Bird Sanctuary – 100 acres north of the resort’s golf course is a bird sanctuary for the endangered Golden Cheek Warbler.
• Fuel Reduction – 98 bicycle spaces are located throughout the resort. In addition, preferred parking is provided for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.
According to Alison Rivenburgh, CEO of Sustainable Perspective Group, the next step for Marriott is to continue promoting green practices in operations and building maintenance.
“Hotel operators, like Marriott, are finding that offering a sustainable environment gives them a marketing edge. Many not-for-profit, government agencies and private sector companies require hosting conferences in green facilities.”
“As hospitality environment designers, we are stewards of sustainable design,” said Nunzio DeSantis, director of HKS Hill Glazier Studio. “Hotels are known to be one of the largest consumers of energy – due to their continuous use and voluminous space. We are proud and honored to be a part of this resort project as well as other green-focused hospitality projects.”
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Brand: Marriott
Designer: HKS Hill Glazier Studio Full Hotel Spec listing: HKS Hill Glazier Studio
Developer: Miller-Global Properties
