Address: 14355 Chelonia Pkwy
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32821
Work: KENPAT installed more than 2 million linear feet of metal stud framing, 650,000 square feet of insulation, more than 3 million square feet of drywall, 81,000 square feet of FRP, and 60,000 square feet of acoustical ceilings.
GC: PCL Construction
Architect: Huitt Zollar
Dates: June 2018 – January 2020
Awards:
• 2020 ABC Central Florida Excellence in Construction Eagle Award
JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek
Situation
The 516-room JW Marriott resort incorporates indigenous woods, wicker, and stone to create a relaxing atmosphere, requiring precise material selection and installation by KENPAT. The resort features 50,000 square feet of event space, ideal for weddings, corporate meetings, and special events. PCL Construction contracted KENPAT to install interior framing, interior wall systems, and ceilings throughout the project.
Task
KENPAT completed this large-scale project, encompassing millions of linear feet of metal framing to support structural integrity; hundreds of thousands of square feet of insulation to enhance energy efficiency and soundproofing; and extensive drywall and FRP applications to create durable, high-quality interior surfaces. Additionally, KENPAT installed a vast network of acoustical ceiling systems, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functional noise control throughout the facility.
Action
KENPAT built the hotel’s interior shell, starting with framing. More than 2 million linear feet of metal stud framing were installed to accomplish this mission.
Hotel construction requires careful coordination of plumbing, HVAC, and telecommunications to ensure seamless functionality across guest and service areas. Mechanical support systems and ventilation ductwork run above the corridors and into each hotel room. KENPAT worked closely with the general contractor and mechanical and HVAC contractors to coordinate this work while installing ceilings throughout the building.
Properly installed framing ensured the stability of ceilings, especially in the ballrooms and meeting rooms. The ceilings featured a multi-level design, requiring meticulous attention to detail to achieve the intended final appearance. Again, it was essential that this work be closely coordinated with other contractors and the designers.
Drywall and framing in this very large structure with radiused walls and a design that includes many bulkheads/soffits and precise alignment with ceiling grids, had an increased degree of difficulty. With radiused walls, drop-down soffits, and ceiling tiles coming together, the variety of shapes and sizes required precise installation to achieve a smooth, finished appearance. This process was repeated on each floor.
KENPAT installed more than 650,000 square feet of insulation followed by more than 3 million square feet of drywall. This also included drywall for the 516 rooms, meeting spaces, hallways and common areas of reception, spa, and restaurants. Many of the surfaces were multi-level, requiring diligence in the installation and finishing. KENPAT crews worked in close coordi¬nation with other vendors who were installing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other services as well as the design team, to ensure a clean installation. Additionally, KENPAT installed 81,000 square feet of FRP in the kitchen areas.
Ceilings were a major focus of KENPAT’s work at this facility. In general, ceilings throughout the hotel presented some major work challenges. 60,000 square feet of acoustical ceiling tile was installed in addition to the other ceiling types throughout the hotel and integrated seamlessly with the overall look and design.
The main ballrooms/meeting rooms can be divided into a variety of smaller rooms. Each of these requires a high sound rating so that activity in one area does not interfere with the area next to it. Operable wall panels slide out from access doors to divide the room.
Similar work was done on a smaller scale in each of the meeting rooms that are on the periphery of the ballroom. These rooms can also be divided into smaller spaces, requiring the same attention to ceiling and soffit details as the main ballrooms and meeting rooms.
Lastly, KENPAT enhanced large open spaces such as lobbies, ensuring columns seamlessly integrated into the overall room aesthetic. The columns were wrapped, some with glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) and others with traditional materials. For instance, in many of the lobbies, large concrete columns received the GFRC wraps. Wrapping these columns provided a strong visual impact without detracting from the overall appearance of the room. This design often continued through to the next level. Other columns throughout the hotel featured plain finishes, while others incorporated different materials and integrated lighting near the registration desks.
Result
KENPAT delivered a meticulously crafted interior that exceeded the hotel’s design standards, demonstrating expertise in high-end hospitality construction. KENPAT’s contributions—from framing and insulation to drywall, ceilings, and column wraps—exemplify construction excellence.
This award-winning project underscored KENPAT’s expertise, earning ABC Central Florida Chapter’s 2020 Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction.
