Located in a magnificent setting in the Richards Bay Small Craft Harbour waterfront, the stunning new 158 bed Protea Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay has been attracting local and international visitors to Richards Bay since mid 2008.

The owner's brief to the architect, Fanus Nel of 4D Architects in Richards Bay, was to design a four star hotel to cater for the distinguished guest to the strict standards of the Protea Hotels Group. Sporting 59 rooms, 12 Luxury suites and 4 Presidential suites, all sea facing, the hotel has proved to date to be ideally suited for its target market.

A combination of durable products with different textures, comprising Corobrik Country Classic Satin FSB, Corobrik Country Classic Travertine FSB as well as sandstone cladding and plaster and paint, were used to define a timeless and classical exterior architecture. In contrast the interior offers visitors contemporary modern facilities of an international standard.

 Fanus Nel said he chose the face brick to define the exterior architectural theme while the sandstone plinth in combination with the other textures completes the feel of the impressive hotel. "The lighting design plays an important role in showcasing the exterior of this building at night time," said Nel 

"Durable products had to be used as the building is sited on the water and Richards Bay is classified as having a corrosive atmosphere and severe weather conditions for which the durability of Corobrik's face brick is ideally suited."

The Country Cottage range is manufactured in Corobrik's state-of-the art robotic factory at Rietvlei in Gauteng.

An interior with a nautical theme finishes the modern contemporary facilities comprising a state of the art kitchen and restaurant, ladies bar, smokers lounge and 100 seat conference and break-away rooms.

To compliment the nautical theme and take full advantage of the location of the hotel, various water features were incorporated in the design.

"Visitors are greeted by the sight and sound of sheets of water falling into a pool on either side of the main entrance.  On entering the reception a reflection pond continues the smooth finish of the polished porcelain floor tiles and draws the eye of the visitor to the large seating pool and onto the water of the small craft harbour beyond. Considering that Richards Bay is usually very hot and humid the incorporation of water, as a design element, was considered very important. Water offers a cooling and calming effect "concluded Fanus Nel.

This release has been circulated by Corobrik (Pty) Ltd

For more information contact Adri Oliphant on 035 787 1618

Fanus Nel of 4D Architects telephone 035 753 5592