Soleil 88 Phnom Penh Residential

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This is a development with a total of 88 row houses, of which 2 show flats was constructed in the first stage. In order to express the individuality of the each row house and residents, a negative space is inserted between the row houses. The staggered negative space is a recessed balcony. The balcony serves as a divider, forming buffer zone in-between houses, transforming the anonymous big complex into distinguishable individual houses. The row houses are connected, yet separated.

Tags

residential, house, alterations, addition & alteration, rebuilding, traditional row houses, phnom penh, cambodia, cocoon architecture, facelifting facade.

Production Technology

The traditional row houses are decorated with features and patterns. In this project the row houses are decorated with negative spaces instead. By the positioning of balconies, the facades are enriched by solid and void. The activities in the balconies, the light and shadow in those in and out become a vivid form of elevation, making the individual row house distinguishable.

Design Challenge

Phnom Penh is becoming the upcoming developing city in the South East Asia, the standard of living for the general citizens elevates too. The young generation becomes more adapted to a new and modern culture. They become keener on individuality and privacy of city life.

Different from traditional row houses, balconies are inserted to individual row houses in this project, forming buffer zones in-between them, and transform the anonymous complex into distinguishable individual houses.

Project Duration

completed at 2019 in Cambodia, Phnom Penh
(for the 2 row houses as show flats)

Operation Flow

Other than architectural intervention of negative spaces, the original features of a traditional row houses: - the balcony, covered roof garden, etc, are kept to respect local culture as well as to accommodate the sub-tropical climate. Some enhancements are introduced to fit the modern life. The balcony is recessed to prevent a direct view from street and the main window is tilted to avoid overlooking of facing houses.

Research

The target users are of this project is the younger generation of Phnom Penh. The modern form and emphasizing on individuality help the branding of the project as a new home for young couples.

Inspiration

Row houses are common in Phnom Penh. They are individual in nature, but together become a mega complex, which you can hardly distinguish one house from another.

The site is an unfinished project with only structural skeleton completed. The existing structure of traditional row houses is kept while the intervention focuses on the 1.5m façade zone- a literal “facelift”. Staggered balconies are inserted at different levels of individual row houses, forming buffer zones in-between them. The solid and void encourages the play of light and shadow, in and out of activities, transforming the anonymous complex into distinguishable individual houses.

Image Credits

cocoon architecture Ltd.

Colors of Soleil 88 Phnom Penh Residential