Khoan + Partners unveils A Living Frame, a renovation project that turns an unfinished concrete structure into the Phum Sambo Café & Eatery in Cambodia. The original building consisted of a rigid structural grid — exposed slabs, beams, and columns — intended for utilitarian use but left incomplete. Instead of demolishing the framework, the design retains its structural clarity while introducing layers of warmth, environmental responsiveness, and human scale. Timber components such as operable louvers, soffits, and cladding soften the concrete frame and regulate sunlight, while cascading vines and climbing plants weave through the structure to blur boundaries between architecture and nature.

all images courtesy of Khoan + Partners

climate-sensitive design in cambodia

The intervention preserves the integrity of the original concrete skeleton, using it as the foundation for a more permeable and climate-sensitive spatial arrangement. Khoan + Partners organized the layout so that the ground floor opens into a shaded, open-air zone that connects directly to the surrounding landscape and encourages cross-ventilation, minimizing mechanical cooling needs. The Cambodia-based studio also applied passive shading strategies, wooden railings, and a green roof for thermal insulation on the upper levels, ensuring comfortable interior conditions despite the tropical environment.

the project turns an unfinished concrete structure into a café & eatery

timber and greenery shape adaptive architectural system

Wood is not only an aesthetic counterpoint to concrete but also a functional component, moderating solar exposure and introducing tactile qualities. Similarly, greenery operates as a design material, acting as a natural filter to cool the air, cast dynamic shadows, and foster biodiversity on site. These interventions frame the building as an adaptive system in dialogue with its climate and context rather than a sealed enclosure. The project illustrates an alternative approach to construction in which adaptation replaces erasure. By layering new elements onto an existing skeleton, Khoan + Partners demonstrates how unfinished or abandoned structures can evolve into sustainable, inhabitable spaces rooted in place.

the intervention preserves the integrity of the original concrete skeleton

the studio applied passive shading strategies

the design retains the structural clarity while introducing layers of warmth

timber components such as operable louvers, soffits, and cladding soften the concrete frame

project info:

name: Phum Sambo Café & Eatery
designer: Khoan + Partners | @khoanandpartners

location: Cambodia

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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BLOOM Architecture designed a private restaurant and recreational facility on Kep’s reclaimed Western shoreline, in Cambodia. The project aims to transform the artificial landscape into a harmonious blend of cultural and environmental sensitivity, following a government initiative to reclaim a 100-meter strip of land along the coast.

The project, named Kep West, consists of three distinct structures arranged to create an outdoor plaza intended for events and public gatherings. The central feature, The Wave, incorporates several restaurants and bars opening up toward the ocean. The building’s rooftop slab twists in a subtle wave-like gesture, reflecting the rolling sea while contrasting with the horizon’s linearity. The design emphasizes openness, with limited enclosed sections, except for a glass-covered air-conditioned restaurant.

all images by Greg Mo unless stated otherwise

Kep West’s Layered Design Merges Context, and Spatial Flexibility

For the Wave’s structure, BLOOM Architecture’s team employs three architectural layers. The first is its bold concrete form, a monolithic single-story construction with a spiral staircase leading to the rooftop. The use of a waffle slab, columns, and curved edges tested the limits of the material. The second layer is a striking pink sandstone wall, sourced locally, which contrasts the concrete and provides visual and functional separation. The third layer, termed ‘the comfort layer,’ comprises adaptable elements such as railings, blinds, glazing, fitted and loose furniture, and audiovisual systems, designed for flexibility over time. The adjacent pier extends into the sea at an angle designed to frame the peak-season sunset. Split into two levels, it offers a dynamic connection between the reclaimed land and the water, enhancing the site’s engagement with its surroundings.

Kep West represents a new architectural identity for the reclaimed shoreline, integrating with the natural environment and the broader cultural context. Through meticulous research and design sensitivity, it establishes a foundation for the future development of the area while maintaining harmony with its environmental and social setting.

BLOOM Architecture reclaims Kep’s shoreline with a private restaurant and recreation facility

the project blends cultural sensitivity with environmental harmony on Cambodia’s reclaimed Western coast

Kep West is composed of three structures forming a central outdoor plaza for public gatherings and events

the Wave, Kep West’s central feature, hosts restaurants and bars opening toward panoramic ocean views

the adjacent pier stretches into the sea, perfectly aligned with the peak-season sunset for an iconic view

locally sourced pink sandstone walls contrast with concrete, providing both separation and visual interest

the Wave’s construction explores concrete’s and sandstone’s material limits

a bold concrete form defines The Wave, featuring a monolithic structure with a rooftop spiral staircase

split-level design on the pier creates a dynamic connection between reclaimed land and the water

Kep West’s design integrates with its surroundings while setting a new standard for the reclaimed shoreline

BLOOM Architecture’s meticulous research and design blends natural and cultural elements

Kep West’s design establishes a foundation for future development, respecting its environment and community

project info:

name: Kep West – The Wave
architects: BLOOM architecture | @bloom_architecture
location: Krong Kaeb, Cambodia

photography: Greg Mo, Oki Hiroyuki

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Designed by BLOOM Architecture in 2021 for an NGO, the Takhmau Boarding School in Cambodia facilitates education access for young girls. The structure integrates a robust concrete skeleton with a light, organic bamboo skin, providing privacy and filtering the tropical sunlight.

The new school building complements the campus geometry, creating a common courtyard. A main planted alleyway enhances the green ambiance from the entrance. The design prioritizes sustainability, utilizing a concrete framework for durability and a transparent, porous bamboo enclosure to maximize natural ventilation while ensuring student privacy. Bamboo, typically underutilized in Southeast Asia for small-scale scaffolding, inspired the building’s tridimensional structures that expand the interior spaces.

all images by Antoine Raab

school design ensures privacy while embracing natural elements

Flexibility was a key consideration for the design team at BLOOM Architecture due to the NGO’s rapidly evolving needs. Support functions are positioned at two opposite corners for ease of distribution, freeing internal space. The cooler Eastern side houses the dormitories, while the Western side is designated for common areas, offering views of the sunset and horizon. An amphitheater connects the two floors, serving as a social hub for the school.

Takhmau Boarding School in Cambodia, designed by BLOOM Architecture in 2021

the school integrates a robust concrete skeleton with a light, organic bamboo skin

the bamboo skin provides privacy and filters the tropical sunlight

a transparent, porous bamboo enclosure maximizes natural ventilation

the school design ensures student privacy while embracing natural elements

the new building complements the campus geometry, creating a common courtyard

the design prioritizes sustainability with a durable concrete framework

a main planted alleyway enhances the green ambiance from the entrance

project info:

name: Takhmau Boarding School
architect: BLOOM architecture | @bloom_architecture

lead architect: Antoine Meinnel

design team: Antoine Meinnel, Robin Léonard, Mao Menchhorng, Heng Thanak, Orng Phala

location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

photography: Antoine Raab | @antoineraab

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Foster + Partners showcases the progress the design team has made in completing the new Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The architecture firm aims to position the airport as one of the most important public buildings in the country, playing a significant role in Cambodia’s tourism and economy. The Techo International Airport, located 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, is a modular construction designed to be expanded.

The first phase of the airport terminal includes the central headhouse and the aerofoil wings to the north, capable of accommodating up to 13 million passengers annually. Subsequent phases will focus on the second aerofoil wing, designed to accommodate 30 million passengers. Stefan Behling, the Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, states that the new Techo International Airport will be a crucial part of Phnom Penh’s ongoing development as the nation’s primary inter-regional, inter-modal transport hub.

images by Foster + Partners

grid shell construction supported by structural trees

For the design of the Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Foster + Partners draws inspiration from the nation itself, considered one of the oldest civilizations on Earth. The design also considers the tropical climate, resulting in a terminal building led by a central head house with two aerofoil-shaped piers. The structure houses all passenger processing, including security and immigration, and retail stores under a single overarching roof canopy that extends to the airside drop-off, providing expansive shelter.

While the canopying roof may appear wooden at first glance, Foster + Partners employs a lightweight steel grid shell construction, supported by structural trees spanning 36 meters. The innovative screen filters daylight, creating a well-illuminated terminal space. Varnishing and coloring will soon follow to match the wooden palette, invoking a warm and welcoming atmosphere that aligns with other light-colored interior materials, evoking the Cambodian visual language in a contemporary manner.

inside Foster + Partners’ Techo International Airport at Phnom Penh, Cambodia

onsite solar-panel farm to generate airport’s electricity

Technology is central to the Foster + Partners-designed Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, intending to make it one of the greenest airports globally. The airport aims to achieve this by powering almost the entire terminal with energy generated by an onsite solar panel farm. Rows of photovoltaic panels will produce the electricity necessary for the airport’s operations.

In addition to the solar panel farm, the design incorporates local craftsmanship and natural views. Foster + Partners plans to add greenery to the Techo International Airport, as seen in the photos, with mature trees surfacing through the central area and edge planting to soften the interiors.

Nikolai Malsch, a Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, notes that the Phnom Penh airport is inspired by Cambodia’s history and built heritage. ‘The terminal’s design stands as a modern embodiment of Cambodian culture. The Terminal roof is an expression of lightness and inherent modularity, serving as a symbolic gateway for every traveler’s journey,’ he says. As of publishing the story, there is no official announcement yet on the completion year of the project.

the canopy roof is made of lightweight steel grid shell construction

greenery surrounds Foster + Partner’s Techo International Airport at Phnom Penh, Cambodia

outside view of Foster + Partners’ Techo International Airport at Phnom Penh, Cambodia

the expansive roof waves and provides an extended shelter

aerial view of Foster + Partners’ Techo International Airport at Phnom Penh

Foster + Partners’ Techo International Airport in Cambodia lights up using solar-panel energy

project info:

name: Techo International Airport

location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

firm: Foster + Partners 

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pizza 4p’s merges zero waste values with heritage architecture

pizza 4P’s founder yosuke masuko established the restaurant in vietnam in 2011, offering authentic pizza with house-made cheese and following the compassionate mindset of japanese hospitality, ‘omotenashi’. for the brand’s first location in phnom penh, cambodia, red design created a concept that drew inspiration from new khmer architecture — the mid-century architectural movement that blended elements of the modern movement with the cambodian vernacular. 

beside nodding to aspects of heritage architecture, the design also looked to the future. pizza 4P’s challenged the design team to create a zero waste restaurant that follows the ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’ mindset. through a series of partnerships with innovative cambodian recycling companies and makers, the zero waste concept came to life. the resulting design combines the poetry of heritage with the pragmatism of sustainability to create a compelling story that reveals itself at various points in the customer journey.

all images courtesy of red design

a robust structure punctuated by recycled furniture 

one of the main characteristics of new khmer architecture is the expression of assertive structures, typically in concrete, which creates rhythm and an interplay of light and shadow. the red design team interpreted this bold structure to deliver a robust identity and sense of cohesion across pizza 4P’s façade and interior. ultimately, this expressive framework can hold the zero waste principles at a smaller scale and in a way that doesn’t detract from the dining experience.

for one thing, the principle of recycling is evident from the customer’s first interaction with the space: the brass entrance signage is made — by local studio andkow&co — from melted down cambodian bombs and empty cartridge cases. as well as reflecting the zero waste approach, the signage evokes the eatery’s vision to ‘make the world smile for peace’. other recycled features include the chairs and banquette made from composite plastic material, a countertop formed from collected glass bottles, and partitions sourced from reused steel rebar. the recycled furniture results from a collaboration with local specialists plastic people and GOMI recycle

the blue tone of the recycled chairs + banquettes is a recurring brand element throughout the space

a transparent + collaborative approach to zero waste design

shaping the physical dining space is only part of the plan; the day-to-day operations are an equally important facet of the zero waste approach. that’s why red design chose to locate the ‘garage room’ – a recycling hub – in the heart of the restaurant. this room offers receptacles for 20 different types of recycling and is accessible to the customer for pure transparency. beside collating packaging for recycling, the garage room also stores food waste from both the cooking process and customer leftovers. the leftover pizza dough, for example, is fed to crickets to produce organic fertilizer (and even a dried cricket snack!). 

‘the pizza 4P’s phnom penh store is both a formal design exercise and an experiment in new thinking about sustainability. by partnering with local businesses which offer real cradle-to-grave solutions to waste, and by making this process transparent, inclusive, and even poetic, we hope that the store offers a captivating customer experience while becoming an exemplar in sustainable restaurant development in the region,‘ concludes red design.

concrete walls nod to the assertive nature of the new khmer architecture movement

countertops are made from collected glass bottles

the restaurant signage is made from melted down cambodian bombs and empty cartridge cases

red design balances the poetry of heritage architecture with the pragmatism of zero waste values

project info:

name: pizza 4P’s

location: phnom penh, cambodia
architecture: red design / mike mcgirr 

collaborators: andkow&co, plastic people, GOMI recycle

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom

The post curious to see what a zero waste pizzeria in cambodia looks like? appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

images courtesy of UAD architects

the program of the single-story residence is organized around the trees that were already on the site. the final floor plan is composed of a curved volume fused into a rectilinear form. to enter the house, a curved path leads residents inside where they arrive into the social heart of the house. here, an open living, kitchen and dining space opens out to the garden and a pergola-like structure covered in green vines.

as well as responding to the existing trees and the climate of siem reap, the breeze house is also tailored to the needs and daily routines of the client. for example, the owner asked for a spot where he could sit close to a water feature, which would also balance openness with privacy. in response, UAD architects created a special place for the client to sit and look out over a pond while also maintaining views throughout most of the house.

where the curved, social heart of the floor plan meets the rectilinear volume, a light well has been inserted. this central point serves to link the functions of the house while bringing in an abundance of natural light and creating a stack effect to allow air to move in and out of the building. 

gardens, plants and trees are integral to how this building is experienced. and the greenery doesn’t stop at ground floor level. it also continues to the roof. in line with the client’s hobbies, the architect has created an accessible roof garden on top of the curved volume and turned the long, rectangular roof into an urban agriculture rooftop. in this way, the architecture is really immersed in nature, giving the client the tranquil home they were looking for.

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project info:

project name: the breeze house

location: siem reap, cambodia

architecture firm: UAD architects

gross built area: 3,336.81 ft2 (310 m2)

completion year: 2020

The post a curved roof garden tops ‘the breeze house’ by UAD architects in cambodia appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

all image courtesy of estudio cavernas

aknowledging the unique topography which necessitates the use of flexible and durable building materials, estudio cavernas has worked closely with the local fishermen and construction workers to complete this project. through conversations with local communities still overcoming the impacts of devastating environmental degradation from unsustainable development practices, much knowledge was exchanged on locally available materials and low impact, culturally appropriate construction techniques. as a result, a localized design solution was formed, that respects and responds to the environmental and social context.

thatch lodges combine traditional piling techniques used in surrounding floating villages

an extensive palette of locally sourced natural materials were chosen for the main structure. these include betel nut palm (areca catechu), a slender single palm tree widely cultivated in asia, and giant bamboo (dendrocalamus asper). while widely available, the fast-growing, renewable materials are rarely used in the region for permanent structures. meanwhile, simple geometries were selected for the lodges to provide more opportunities for experimentation during the construction process. the use of a saltwater immersion treatment was needed to preserve and protect the bamboo.

the saltwater treated bamboo is laid for drying and exposed to the sun for a period of two weeks before using for construction

perched on white sandy beaches, the thatch lodges combine traditional piling techniques used in surrounding floating villages with a minimalist open-air design. in thi way, an elevated vantage point has been created for local communities and travellers to enjoy koh kong’s clear blue waters and coastal breeze. oriented along the main ocean-land wind direction to maximize airflow, the interior of the structure remains cool and ventilated during the hot season.

workshops were held with the local construction teams to test out building solutions using different treatments, material connections, and finishes tailored for the topography and conditions of each lodge. the sustainable techniques garnered during this process have continued to be used by local communities, providing fortification against environmental degradation and resource exploitation in the future. this sustainable community-driven approach is at the heart of the studio’s design process. 

the structure of the A-frame huts are made using treated bettle nut palm trunks

the floor of the a-frame lodges is elevated responding to the changing tides and it provides an elevated view from the beach

the main bamboo pavilion is located in the centre surrounded by Α-frame lodges

the interior of the private lodge is divided into two levels, the ground level with storage and toilet while the upper level is used as living and sleeping space

the private lodge flooring is built using reclaimed hardwood

interlocking bamboo pavilion becomes a place of social gathering

the bamboo pavilion follows the method of self-supporting construction

locally sourced sugarcane thatch is used as roofing for the bamboo pavilion

bamboo reciprocal roof – each bamboo supports the other, resulting in a stronger connection

project info:

name: koh kong mangrove lodging
architecture office: estudio cavernas
project team: juan cuevas, denis amirtharaj

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

The post estudio cavernas builds beach huts in cambodia using local natural materials appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

all images courtesy of orient occident atelier (OOA)

the design team at orient accident atelier (OOA) raised funds and created the waterhall project in order to alleviate the water shortages of the remote cambodian village. the region is sited along the outskirts of battambang, which had previously been ravaged by landmines during the 1970s rule of the khmer rouge party. because the village finds its main water source from a collection of wells together with a nearby lake, access to water is very unreliable. the lake is dry for half of the year due to recurring droughts and floods caused by climate change, and wells are contaminated by pollution from nearby factories. the village is further impacted by waste pollution caused by the continual usages of plastic bottled water.

with the waterhall project, orient occident atelier (OOA) designs a system which collects water from both natural rainfall and the nearby lake. this supply is then filtered through the system, providing safe potable water for locals to collect and use. with the villagers able to use locally made ceramic jugs and bottles to carry filtered water, the issue of plastic bottle waste is then mitigated. upon its completion in 2019, the team managed to generate filtered potable water while the region experienced the worst drought in its recent history. the project was greatly welcomed by the local community and was occupied as a social hub, cultivating a great spirit among the local people.

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project info:

project title: waterhall project
architecture: orient occident atelier (OOA)

location: sneung, battambang, cambodia
clients: sneung village
lead architects: kenrick wong, magic kwan
design team: fionne chan, harrison lai
collaborators: jane luk, janet tam
function: water filtration facilty, water storage facility, community hall
completion: february 2019
photography: magic kwan, kenrick wong 

The post the waterhall project by orient occident atelier provides safe drinking water in cambodia appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

all images by magic kwan and kenrick wong

OOA positioned classrooms at ground level, allowing the spaces to engage directly with the school’s immediate context. these rooms are also capable of catering to different events, learning activities, and class sizes. ‘the relation between interior and exterior can thus be customized by the users in the future,’ explain the architects. ‘it’s a welcoming space in which other villagers and students can always see what’s going on and join the classes.’

the school, which is elevated to protect it from potential flooding, uses vernacular methodologies. the design team sourced bricks and wood from the area, while local residents were taught construction techniques. ‘the project preserves the village context with a bottom-up design approach,’ says OOA. ‘the school development triggers various improvements for the rural village.’

‘the school design empowers the teachers and students to constantly engage in design, redesign and utilize the teaching and learning spaces which best suit their interests and curriculum needs,’ continue the architects. ‘after the school was set up, more power supply, tuck shops, and a water filtration system were set up around.’

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project info:

name: adventurous global school
location: sneung, battambang, cambodia
architecture firm: orient occident atelier
lead architects: kenrick wong, magic kwan
gross built area: 400 sqm
design team: kenrick wong, magic kwan, christie yeung, jasmine chan
collaborators: PTD cambodia
client: adventurous global schools
photography: magic kwan, kenrick wong

The post orient occident atelier designs cambodia school as a climbable and reconfigurable structure appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

all images by magic kwan, kenrick wong

in forming the ‘hotel siem reap’, the design team at OOA expresses formal influence from the shapes of the local wine brewing kits and the warehouse typology. the team juxtaposes a collection of cylindrical buildings and spaces which are meticulously connected. each circular space houses a unique program, and the elaborate layout allows residents to meander through one space after another, enriching the accommodation experience. not unlike the seminal galleries of angkor wat, we experimented to recreate an intriguing interplay of light and shadow, infusing a new dimension to the hospitality typology.

OOA designs the hotel with an integrated rooftop observation deck that overlooks angkor wat and for guests to relax. a bamboo gate can be opened to transform the ground floor kitchen into a community kitchen and dining room. the design team seeks to express the project as both a hotel and a mini-museum. utilizing modern architectural design methodologies, the team blends the past, present, and future through imagination, material, and motif.

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project info:

project title: hotel siem reap

architecture: orient occident atelier (OOA)

location: siem reap, cambodia

lead architects: kenrick wong, magic kwan

design team: kenrick wong, magic kwan, obed cheung, jasmine chan, yen poon, fionne chan, louis shing, helen kwan, chloe lui

The post OOA forms ‘hotel siem reap’ in cambodia to recall the form of wine making barrels appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.