Preserving memory, engAging CommUniTyAdAPTive reUse of The whiTe BUiLding in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh 2011

The white Building is in danger of being demolished.

its residents are under threat of eviction.

how CAn An eqUiTABLe

soLUTion Be foUnd for The

CommUniTy?

how CAn The BUiLding Be

Preserved And resTored?

The white Building was constructed in the 1960s as part of vann molyvann's

ambitious plan for the Bassac area. designed by Lun Ban hap and vladimir

Bodianksy, it was originally developed as low cost housing for civil servants

in the ministry of Culture. The project consisted initially of 468 apartments

that appear to be inspired by an Algerian housing project designed by

vladimir Bodiansky's engineering company AT.BAT

At over three hundred meters long, the apartments comprise of six distinct

blocks that are joined and yet separated by open staircases. Users could

therefore walk through the building and with easy access to the landscaped

park. initially the main entry was on the east side.

The plans were designed with the tropical climate in mind, with kitchens

and bathrooms accessible from the terraces that could also serve as exter-

nal kitchens. All the apartments from one to three rooms were cross venti-

lated.

The apartments were financed on the basis of a 10 year credit from the mu-

nicipality and were initially much sought after by the lower middle classes

The originAL ideA

ConTexT

The future of The Building and its inhabitants is in limbo. exclusion from

systematic land titling has left the residents under threat of eviction, while

years of disrepair contribute to many considering the building an eyesore,

despite its evident architectural value. There is a well documented history

of the destruction of similar sites and communities within Phnom Penh, and

The Building's prime inner-city location makes it a target for investors.

The post independence period was epitomised by a style which merged ver-

nacular traditions with a cutting edge modernist approach, usually labelled

'new Khmer Architecture'. Unfortunately in recent years numerous buildings

from this era have been demolished to make way for 'modernisation'. There

is a risk that these architecturally significant sites, and the time they repre-

sent, will be lost.

in the Bassac area where The white Building is located, the iconic national

Theatre was demolished in 2008. The grey Building, immediately adjacent,

was sold and renovated beyond recognition.

ConTexT:

The BUiLding

forced evictions are common in Phnom Penh. following the fall of the Khmer

rouge land was occupied in a loose and unmonitored manner. supported

by donors the government is now undertaking systematic land titling, how-

ever many urban poor communities are excluded from this process. often

on prime land and seen as in need of 'beautification', these communities

have become targets for eviction, despite some having well-documented

possession rights. The guidelines of Cambodian land laws are clearly over-

looked, force and intimidation is employed and compensation is inadequate.

monetary sums fall well short of market value and land offered is beyond

the city centre, lacking basic infrastructure, social services or employment

opportunities.

re-occupied after the collapse of the Khmer rouge, The white Building

is one of the many communities excluded from systematic land titling. its

residents now fear a fate similar to that of the adjacent dey Krahom com-

munity, which was violently evicted 2009 to make way for sports courts for

the developer's staff.

ConTexT:

The CommUniTy

To sAve The BUiLding we mUsT ACT now.

A hoLisTiC APProACh mUsT Be TAKen,

CommunityArchitects

ngo's

governmentPrivate investors

international aid

Physical upgrading

Community capacity building

Provision of land titles

Commercial tenants

Advocacy

heritage experts

review of urban planning strategies

equitable compensation

The building currently houses just over 2000 oc-

cupants who are under threat of eviction.

it is in a state of disrepair.

CUrrenT siTUATion

sTeP 1: ACqUire sPACe

As an option, occupants are offered an equitable

resettlement package. 50% leave, 50% remain

and housing is rezoned within the building.

A range of commercial and cultural activities

are introduced to the building and the lane

way is converted to a pedestrian only public

promenade.

sTeP 2: inserT mixed ACTiviTies

establishment of small-scale private enterprises run by community members and employment opportunities within commercial tenancies.

The insertion of commercial activities creates a profit that can support the renovation of the building.

The lane way as a green public space for all.

The white Building as an international icon and tourist attraction.

The building and lane way as a vibrant hub of mixed private and public activity for the city.

seLf sUsTAining modeL is ProdUCed

fUnCTions

housing + library + promenade + green space + art gallery + creative studios + market + office + restaurant + shop + performance space + community center

urban centre(gallery, library, public forum)

hospitality (accomm)

hospitality(eating/drinking)+ retail

office(NGO, high end,studio)

green space(public)

communityhousing

parking

Publicly accessible spaces on the ground floor

allow for energetic streetscape interactions

The lane way transformed into a green

pedestrian promenade

groUnd fLoor PLAn

Urban centre for public forums,

library, gallery tourist information

Boutique hotel and short term

accommodation

restaurant and bar space below

hotel accommodation

Cafe and retail space below

offices and housing

souvenir and handicraft stores below mixed

office and housing

fresh produce market below housing

offices for private companies, ngos,

public programshotel and short term accommodation

urban centre(gallery, library, public forum)

hospitality (accomm)

hospitality(eating/drinking)

office(NGO, high end,studio)

green space(public)

communityhousing

parking

TyPiCAL fLoor PLAn

An urban center that becomes a main public

attraction is placed on the busiest end

Around 50% of the space would be left for residential use

by community members.

The upper floors could have mixed use functions

to create a vibrant place and promote a culture

of integration.

exTernAL view

The outer appearance of the building will be restored.

Then small additions could be placed to highlight the new nature of the white Building and to better accommodate new functions.

inTernAL view

The outer appearance of the building will be restored.

Then small addition could be placed to underline the new

nature of the white building and to better accommodate new

functions

Additional light wells could be provided.

internal structure would be maintained

while some internal partition would be

rearranged to better suit the new functions

government runs the

project.

roAd mAP

international bank

provides funding for

resettlement. some

families leave.

government funds

initial restoration.

remaining families

provided with tempo-

rary housing.

Commercial tenants

rent space from gov-

ernment which funds

ongoing restoration

and upkeep.

government owns the

building.

oPTion 01

oPTion 02

oPTion 03

Private investor

leases the building

from the government

and runs the project.

international bank

provides funding for

resettlement. some

families leave.

Private investor funds

initial restoration.

remaining families

provided with tempo-

rary housing.

government owns the

building.

international bank

provides funding for

resettlement. some

families leave.

government owns the

building.

Community leases

the building from

the government and

forms a group to run

the project.

revolving community fund set up to finance initial restoration. re-maining families pro-vided with temporary housing

Commercial tenants

rent space from pri-

vate investor which

funds ongoing resto-

ration and upkeep.

Commercial tenants

rent space from com-

munity body which

funds ongoing resto-

ration and upkeep.

oPTion 04 international bank

provides funding for

resettlement. some

families leave.

Community owns the

building.

Community forms

group to run project,

group links with the

private and public

sector.

revolving community fund set up to finance initial restoration. re-maining families pro-vided with temporary housing

Commercial tenants

rent space from com-

munity body which

funds ongoing resto-

ration and upkeep.

Time Line

2011: establish ownership. Put forward proposal for financial support from international banks.

2012: Confirm body to run project. establish leasing agreement. set up resettlement plan with international bank. raise public interest.

2013: enact resettlement plan. rezone housing within building and begin stage one restoration. Begin calls for commercial tenant interest

2014: Provide temporary housing for stage two restoration. Confirm final commercial tenants.

2015: new commercial tenants move in. funds used for continued restoration. employment and private enterprise for/by community members.

2018: revitalised site, building and community. international icon and hub of activity for Phnom Penh.