MEKONG VILLA
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Completed 2022
Residential, 1000 sqm
BLOOM design a riverside weekend villa in Phnom Penh as a modern Cambodian home
Following the flow of the Mekong River on a boat and travelling towards the northern outskirts of Phnom Penh, one may observe a modern wooden villa seemingly floating the riverfront.
Designed by Phnom Penh based studio Bloom Architecture, the weekend residence for a large family was conceived as an abstract reinterpretation of the nearby traditional Khmer houses.
Blending modern comfort and aesthetics with vernacular concepts, the long rectangular box shaped volume maximizes the unique views to the river.
From the road side, the villa offers a theatrical sense of arrival. First a mineral drop-off evokes a sense of mystery with a series of wide wooden pivot doors.
Once opened, emergences an enclosed palms garden bordered by an alluring walkway and a bas relief.
Then the finale, as one gets closers to the green riverbank, a terraced minimalist garden of grass and palm trees allows the view to the Mekong from the living room.
The support function of the villa are combined in a separate volume, fully covered of local golden sandstone, which continues to the kitchen with a seamless floor-to-ceiling sandstone sliding doors.
The ground floor is kept completely transparent, enclosed with large sliding glass panels, to emphasize the relation to the horizon. This is the space for family reunion.
On the opposite end, the upper floor is fully protected with wooden shutters. Maintaining privacy, these help to filter the light and protect the deep balconies of the bedrooms from the sun and rain.
The Mekong Villa marks the continuation of bloom’s work about layered facades and the use of local material finishes and craft.
The Mekong Villa is hard to leave. A family home to be, defined by a deep connection with its natural settings and comfortable interiors.
Antoine Meinnel / Bloom Architecture Co. Ltd.
Team : Antoine Meinnel, Theo Neuville, Kong Lim, Orng Phala, Prak Chantha, Bun Sereythida
Contractor: BSN Co. Ltd.
Interior Design: Kaunkat Studio
Photographer: Oki Hiroyuki