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PROJECT

BROOKLYN HOUSE PHASE 3

Located 350 metres from the University of Pretoria’s main entrance, Brooklyn
House Phase 3 is the latest phase of the University Square precinct, a residential
project comprising four inter-connected buildings. The development redefines the
standards of contemporary student living, and students have access to all amenities

and facilities within the precinct.

Project Team
Client/Developer: Mile Investments
Architect, Landscape Architect and
Interior Architect: Boogertman + Partners
Main Contractor: Tri-Star Construction
Landscape Contractor: Karen Viljoen
Landscaping

Ample planting softens the main courtyard on the first floor and provides a low green buffer to the units behind. Tree planters and decking benches are arranged
along the main movement axis between the central stairs and the fitness centre. Artifical lawn is used here, due to the high traffic nature of the space.

he buildings of Phase 3 are arranged around the northern, The central courtyard is arranged in a formal configuration,
western and southern peripheries of the site, creating a allowing for movement zones, seating and pause moments to
Tprominent central courtyard on the first floor. This acts as an view large sculptures commissioned by the client. In addition,
anchor point for the eight storey north block, three storey south planted buffers provide a sense of privacy for residents on the first
block, the fitness centre towards the west and the study centre floor directly facing the courtyard.
of Phase 2. As such, the client required this space to be visually Due to the imposing scale of the eight-storey north block, it was
striking, with a grand, central staircase, large evergreen trees, a vital to reduce this to a more human scale. Large trees have been
water feature, sculptures and a pickleball court. arranged along a central axis, over columns to carry their loads, in
facebrick planters that will allow sufficient space for root growth.
Landscape design concept This axis also acts as the main movement corridor for users,
Being a cohesive precinct, it was important that Phase 3 tie in with resulting in a formality echoing that of Phases 1 and 2.
the formal landscape aesthetics of Phases 1 and 2. However the Cutting into this central axis is a pause zone where a prominent
architectural language of each phase is slightly different and the sculpture has been placed, creating a sense of balance between
landscape design therefore followed suit. solid and void, and allowing a change of direction towards the
The landscape comprises several zones, each with their own northern courtyard. The smaller northern courtyard features
function. On the first floor there is a large, central spill-out space, seating nodes, a tranquil water feature and another large
a pickleball court and a smaller, more intimate courtyard in the sculpture.
north block. On the ground floor, there is a spill-out space outside To add interest and further break down the vertical scale of the
the fitness centre, which is a gateway to a training pool. The south space, lower planters were added towards the units, planted with
block’s ground floor units each have their own private gardens taller plants to create a soft, green boundary between private and
with built-in braais. public space.

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 148 2025 5