Established in 1890, the prestigious Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club (est. 1890) is  regarded as the “home of golf” in South Africa. Situated within the lush, green and environmentally sensitive precinct of the golf club is an upmarket housing project, named Brookfield at Royal. It was designed by dhk Architects and is under construction. Of the envisioned four phases, three were already on the ground by mid 2025.

Safal Steel is proudly associated with this estate, as licenced (BIEC International Inc.) manufacturers and suppliers of our world-renowned coated steel technology used in the roofing and the cladding.  According to David Anderson of highly regarded roofing contractor, Hi-Tech Nail Plate, Safal Steel Colorplus^Ⓡ AZ150 in colour Thunderstorm was utilised on the project, roll formed by Safintra into the Saflok^Ⓡ 700 roofing profile. Colorplus^Ⓡ is the go-to choice for developers and designers requiring a South African-made coated steel coil  product that offers clear sustainability advantages. This is demonstrated by the use of Colorplus^Ⓡ in this environmentally-sensitive precinct.

Peter Fehrsen, co-founding partner of dhk Architects, says that  this smart and upmarket housing development ably demonstrates how the principle of maximising the value of unused land at the edge of the green belts and waterways of successful urban golf courses can be imagined and implemented by great design innovation.

According to the developers, Tricolt, this new estate offers one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, starting from 38m² up to 154m² penthouses.  Phased construction started in September 2021 and is due for completion by December 2025. When complete Brookfield will feature around 290 units.

Fehrsen explains, the brief to dhk was: “The design was required to conceptualise a luxurious residential experience that bridges the gap between the past and the present. The result is a high-end estate that represents the true value of sophisticated design in urban housing”.

“The development is set out on a long, narrow, sloping site alongside the golf course and is arranged in a linear form that follows the contours of the land. Each block consists of three-storey walk-up structures, typically arranged in clusters of six to eight units.”

The roof design is characterised by a central pitched frame flanked by flat-roofed sections. This combination creates an undulating rhythm along the length of the development.

The pitched roofs are clad in slate-grey standing-seam steel roof sheets, while the flanking sections feature red brick and white-painted plaster. These vertical roof elements play a key role in the design form.

Open gables on one side of each unit houses entrances, caters for vertical circulation and supports balconies.  Gables on the other side feature expansive glazing and steel-and-glass balconies that overlook the golf course.

Consequently, each unit is crowned by twin steel chimney pipes that arise from vertical face brick braai columns that also make the balcony private from the next-doors. These steel chimney pipes form an iconic leitmotif throughout the scheme. “The dark steel elements of roofing and cladding with their dark grey tones echo back to the original black slate roof of the Royal Johannesburg clubhouse”, Fehrsen adds.

The specified combination of materials references the treed landscape between the buildings, private gardens, a dam and the golf course. All materials were locally sourced, where possible.

The development sits within a landscape of mature trees rich with abundant birdlife, natural water pools and scenic routes through the treed environment. The design functions to preserve as much of this natural landscape as possible, supporting and conserving the natural ecosystem.

Within each unit, the windows and doors are positioned to optimise natural light and ventilation, minimising the need for air conditioning, reduce artificial lighting and also promote residents’ wellbeing. Energy efficient fittings, and back-up water and power supplies are included throughout the complex.

• Steel core product – Colorplus^Ⓡ AZ150 in colour Thunderstorm by Safal Steel.
• Roofing and cladding: Roll formed by Safrintra Gauteng into Saflok^Ⓡ 700 roofing profile

Architects and builders are looking for ways to bring individuality, style and character to their projects. Increasingly, it is being specified on important development projects. The base substrate for Colorplus® is Zincal® with its legendary 55% Aluminium, 43.5% Zinc and 1.5% Silicon coating technology. This protects the steel substrate imparting a  superior corrosive property to the substrate that increases the life of the steel core up to four times longer than that of conventional, heavier steel coated options.

It also offers a substantial dematerialisation advantage for building projects due to its lightweight nature when compared with typical galvanised steel.

Steel’s most valuable property is that it can be recycled many times without loss to its inherent qualities. In fact, it is the most innovative, recyclable and sustainable material of the 21st century.

Safal Steel warrants its Zincal® and Colorplus® (colour coated steel) to have a service life (prior to perforation by weathering in the natural elements) from date of installation. Warranty periods are determined by Safal Steel and may vary according to project design and location. A Provisional Warranty may be applied for at project design stage; this warranty serves as a guideline as to the final warranty Safal Steel may issue on project completion. A Final Warranty application form may be submitted to Safal Steel by the roll former on project completion, requesting Safal Steel to issue a warranty for the specific material used on a specific project.

Look for the trademark. All Safal Steel prime material is branded on the backing coat – insist on Safal Steel material.

For any technical queries please contact Safal Steel and ask for the representative in your area.

Client: Tricolt
Project Manager: Davidoff
Main Contractor: Tricolt
Architect: dhk Architects
Structural Engineers: BSM
Quantity Surveyors: Tricolt
Roofing contractor: Hi-Tech Nail Plate
Roofing profile former: Safintra
Steel roofing material: Safal Steel
Site photography: Sean Gibson