ASK Consultants and HAVI Design worked hand in hand to deliver the installation that garnered the Hospitality Project Award at the Inavate APAC Awards 2024.
Nestled in the serene hills of the Aravali range in Faridabad, India, the Courtyard by Mariott Aravali Resort offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of Delhi. To fulfil its vision of a serene yet luxurious environment for its guests, the hotel required an AV system that could seamlessly integrate with its design and provide high- quality audiovisual experiences throughout its spaces.
In order to bring the client’s ideas to life, ASK Consultants was appointed as the consultant while HAVI Design served as the integrator.
Drawing from the consultant’s previous experiences of working with clients in the hospitality sector, Sangya Gupta, CEO of ASK Consultants, shares how the project started to come to fruition: “We were working on the Westin Rishikesh project, which is under the same client as the Courtyard by Marriott project. Marriott had a project management consultant (PMC) to whom Marriott referred our name for our consultancy expertise in both projects. Upon the client’s recommendation, their PMC connected with us and that’s how we were brought on board.”
Similarly, HAVI Design’s involvement came through a combination of established relationships and a rigorous selection process. Manikk Guptha, managing partner at HAVI Design, comments: “We knew the client through personal connections, so when they started issuing RFPs, we got involved. They were slightly inclined towards us because they were familiar with our previous work, but the process was entirely professional, with different teams evaluating the bids. In addition to the standard RFP submission, we also prepared a presentation to demonstrate our understanding of the project. Thereafter, we collaborated closely with ASK Consultants, sharing drawings and GFCs before submitting them to the client.”
Tailored approach
Despite the large-scale nature of the project, ASK Consultants were given relatively free reign to propose solutions that would align with the hotel’s broader vision. Sangya says: “The client didn’t give us any specific requirements upfront. However, since we were already working on another Marriott project and had prior experience with their standards, we had a clear understanding of the expectations. Before proceeding with the planning and execution of drawings, my team conducted a comprehensive review to align with Marriott’s guidelines and standards, ensuring seamless integration and successful project delivery.” Manikk agrees, and adds on: “Although Marriott has global standards that its properties worldwide adhere to, these standards are also pretty generic in nature. They didn’t specify what wattage, nor did they request specific speakers or products. So, the onus was still on us to propose a comprehensive system in great detail.”
The project’s complexity called for a well-coordinated effort, which saw ASK Consultants facilitating extensive collaboration with project management consultants (PMC), interior designers, MEP consultants, and various other stakeholders. Sangya notes: “The benefit of our forward-thinking approach, coupled with the efforts of our collaboration, is that only a small percentage of what we had planned, maybe 5% to 7%, required rework.”
For this project, the client focused on equipping high-traffic spaces with premium AV systems. These spaces include collapsible ballrooms, meeting and training rooms, restaurant, outdoor spaces, and a reception lobby.
ASK Consultants began by conducting an in-depth site analysis, which laid the foundation for their technical planning. They produced detailed drawings that outlined the technical specifications and placement of the AV systems, including cabling routes, rack deployment, and precise product positioning.
Premium AV for premium spaces
The Courtyard by Marriott Aravali project stands out in the context of shifting trends in AV investment within the Indian hospitality industry. Manikk expounds on this: “Over the last three to four years, many clients have stopped investing in AV for banquet areas, which used to be a major part of hotel projects. Instead, they are focusing on cabling and provisioning without purchasing the equipment upfront. They believe that each event has unique requirements, making a large initial investment less justifiable. Moreover, most clients in India tend to bring in their own event management companies, preferring not to rely on the hotel’s AV equipment.”
He continues: “As a result, many major hotel chains have scaled back their AV investments. However, in this particular case, Marriott took a different approach. They made a substantial investment in a comprehensive, full-blown AV solution.”
Most of the AV work done was concentrated in the Grand Ballroom, which has been designed as collapsible ballrooms to accommodate events and capacities of different sizes.
The ballroom’s AV setup features Barco G60-Q8 and Barco G60-W10 projectors, delivering 8,000 and 10,000 lumens respectively. The dual projector system allows the ballroom to accommodate events requiring varying brightness levels and visibility. A motorised 220-in screen from Grandview Liberty completes the visual setup, ensuring that presentations and visual content are displayed with clarity.
This choice of projectors over LED walls was a strategic decision, which Sangya explains: “The main reason we chose projectors over LED walls was cost. The price of LED walls was significantly higher, especially post-Covid. After the pandemic, the hospitality industry, in particular, has been very cautious about spending on such high- cost items like LED videowalls So, they opted for projection with the understanding that if they need an LED wall, they will rent one for specific events, which helps them save on costs and preserves revenue.”
In addition, the decision to go with Barco’s projectors was made by ASK Consultants. Sangya observes: “We had offered the client two brand choices for projectors; Christie and Barco. In a separate Westin property, the client went with Christie projectors, but here, they chose Barco, as they wanted to offer a different experience to their Marriott clients. One thing we always strive for is to keep our designs independent of specific OEMs, focusing more on the functionality of each application rather than the brand.”
On the audio side of the Grand Ballroom, JBL Control ceiling subwoofers were selected to ensure optimal sound distribution throughout the ballroom. To power these, a Crown CDi|600 amplifier was installed, delivering the necessary amplification for high-quality audio. An AKG WMS470PT wireless microphone serves as a handheld microphone for added flexibility during events. Manikk comments on the technology choice here: “Brands like JBL rule the hospitality market in India, and are very well-known to the client as well. Hence, they were willing and eager to accept these brands for the project.”
Control and content sharing are facilitated through a Barco wireless presentation system, which supports multi-feed viewing for greater flexibility. An Extron digital matrix switcher manages audio and video routing, allowing for a streamlined control process that enhances the user experience.
In the meeting rooms, 75-in full HD LED displays from Samsung have been installed for high-definition presentations. A Samsung WM55H digital flipchart featuring an interactive 55-in UHD display has also been deployed to foster collaboration in these spaces. In terms of audio, JBL line array column speakers have been fitted into the meeting room for precise sound distribution.
An AMX Soundbar with built- in microphones and wireless sharing capabilities has also been integrated into the meeting room. Moreover, a BGM system is designed to provide a consistent and pleasant auditory ambiance throughout the hotel’s public areas, including lobbies, corridors, and lounges, ensuring that guests enjoy a soothing and immersive experience as they move through different spaces. This BGM system comprises JBL paging horn speakers, complemented by Crown DCi4|300 power amplifiers. To control the system, Ethernet- based controllers and a DSP from BSS have been installed.
Against all odds
Deploying AV solutions in hospitality projects often comes with its own set of challenges, largely due to the intricacies involved in managing timelines and coordinating with various teams. Since the hotel was being built from scratch, it took a few years before the end result came into fruition. Manikk elaborates on the challenges faced during the project: “Hospitality projects often take a considerable amount of time to complete due to the numerous dependencies on various services. Additionally, clients typically face limited cash flows, requiring them to manage the project in phases.”
He expands on this: “For instance, we might complete the cabling in one area and then return to that same area six or eight months later, as we are occupied with tasks in other areas. This results in a slower overall pace, preventing us from finishing the project quickly. Moreover, there are instances where, after we’ve completed the cabling, the client informs us that the architect has made changes — like switching from ceiling to wall-mounted speakers. Such adjustments were anticipated, given the extended timeline of the project, but they still presented challenges which delayed the project completion.”
On the other hand, Sangya cites logistical hurdles as a challenge from the consultant’s perspective: “The only challenge we faced was the distance — the site was quite far from our office, so even a one-hour meeting would take up the entire day due to travel time.”
Despite the obstacles faced by both ASK Consultants and HAVI Design, the rest of the project proceeded smoothly. Sangya exclaims: “It’s been a motivational project for us, as it gave us an edge in terms of design and popularity. Now, with Inavate recognising the project, it’s even more rewarding and we are proud to have served for Marriott.”
She shares: “At a Marriott event last year, we received appreciation for the absence of reverberation in the spaces. It was a proud moment for us, as the audio and visual experience worked in perfect sync across all areas. The AV design complemented the IT infrastructure as well as the architectural and interior aspects.”
Manikk concludes: “We have completed several projects in the past, and our experience with Marriott has always been excellent. Marriott is known for its uncompromising approach to solutions and design, ensuring that they deliver high-quality experiences to their end users. We are genuinely proud to be associated with this project, and we’re delighted that it has received recognition on an international level at the Inavate APAC Awards 2024.”