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PHNOM PENH ARCHITECTURE

MAP 1 Central Phnom Penh

One in a series of maps designed for walking, bicycling or travelling by cyclo.

Walking 3-4 hrsCyclo 1-2 hours ($2.50-$5)

How to use the map: The line suggests a possible route which

takes in incidental sights on the way. Some buildings are ‘attention grabbers’;

others are more subtle. If it doesn’t grab you, move on! Most buildings

are not open to the public, so please respect the privacy of occupants.

Where to start:The Walk can be done in any order, or in sections. If you wish to see all

the sights by walking, it is recommended to start from No.1

to No.44. If you are by cyclo or bicycle, start backwards (from

No.44 to No.1) due to one-way streets.

Information on buildings:We are grateful for

information on dates provided by the

Municipality of Phnom Penh, and as we

unearth more details, we will

update the maps.

WALKING MAP

KHMER ARCHITECTURE TOURS

Produced for free distribution by Khmer Architecture Tours of Phnom Penh. This map can be downloaded as a PDF from our website. We also organize public and private tours guided by Cambodian architects and students.

Edition 5 March 2015

More info on: www.ka-tours.org

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ST. 15

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K a n d a l

M a r k e t

ST. 13

ST. 5

ST. 154

ST. 144

National Museum

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LEVARD

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ULEVA

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UAY

ST. 178

ST. 148

ST. 136

ST. 130

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ST. 63

ST. 67

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ST. 53

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ST. 19ST. 172

ST. OKNHA KET

ST.158

ST.142

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ST.217

ST.126

ST.180

ST. 118

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LE SAP RIVER

O l d

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Centra l Market

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The buildings included on the mapsWhile KAT’s main interest is in the archi-tecture of the 1950s and 60s, just after independence, these maps are intended to foster understanding and appreciation of the city as a whole and so include buildings from various periods. We have not tried to be historically comprehensive but aim to offer interesting walks which highlight the special qualities of some ordinary buildings and streets as well as some important land-marks. Due to limited space, information on the main Buddhist temples (wats) and well-known historic buildings (Royal Palace) which can be found easily in available guide books, is generally not included here.

Further informationThe Municipality of Phnom Penh has a historical inventory of buildings. Heritage Mission, part of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh promote the preservation of urban heritage. Also see KA Tours website (www.ka-tours.org) for a short bibliography.

FeedbackPlease tell us about your experience, comments and errors: contact@ka-tours.org.

Acknowledgements Many thanks to Tobian Olsson for extensive on-the-street mapping, Keat Toby for data on colonial buildings from the Municipality's inventory and to Sarah Bland and Tara Mar for updates.

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Published by Khmer Architecture Tours © These maps are copyrighted. They are free to copy for personal use, but reproduction for commercial purposes is not permitted.

Edition 5, March 2015

The remarkable architecture and planning of Phnom Penh make it unique amongst South East Asian cities.Founded in the 14th century, Phnom Penh became the capital of Cambodia in 1422 and again in 1866. A Frenchprotectorate from 1863, Cambodia gained its independence in 1953. Between mid-1950s through the late 1960s, Cambodia sought new ways to express itself as a modern, progressive nation. In architecture a distinct ‘move-ment’ developed, by some referred to as ‘New Khmer’ architecture. Architects experimented with ideas and forms, often innovative and dynamic; they adapted international idioms and combined these with Cambodian references, while responding to local climate and custom.The results were wholly Cambodian and unique in the development of modern architecture.

Royal Villa 1900-1910 Said to be the home of aprevious Prime Minister, the ground floor is now a restaurant. The 'For Sale' sign depicts an uncertain future. Royal Villa 1900-1910 One of the few remaining Royal Villas around the Palace; now used as an office. Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) 1920 These French-built, rust-redsandstone buildings are still used todayas a university, offering architecture and urbanism studies.

National Museum 1917-1920 Architect: Georges Groslier A highly regarded re-working of the traditional Khmer pagoda form to suit a new 20th century function. Public Toilet 1959 Phnom Penh's few public facilities. One of a pair, modern design, French manners. Apartment Building 1940s This Modernist style block was partly restored in the 1990s; stairs off the street lead to a communal rear passage. Japanese De-Constructivism 2006 'Hiroshima House' in Wat Ounalom:This linear brick and concrete structure is a peace gift from the people of Hiroshima, Japan and was built by engineering students. Apartment Buildings 1960s Nos 41-55; A fine example of an intact 4 storey block, built by 4 developers in a fairly consistent style; note decorative ironwork on windows and balconies typical of this period. Apartment Buildings Nos 28-48; Similar to above, forming a model urban street setting.

Round Corner Block1940s with 1960s details, this building features a concrete roof pergola and vertically louvred stairs on the side of the building. The building directly opposite, with geometrical design balcony, is from the same period.

Street 19 A lively variety of residential typesfrom different periods; from a 1960s 5-storey block to 2-storey colonial; visit Tea Garden with its original tile floor and outdoor courtyard in back.

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Capitol Cinema 1964, Architect: Vann Molyvann From the glory period of Cambodian cinema in the 1960s, the cinema is no longer in use, though the exterior remains fairly original.

Prom Bayon Cinema 1960s A cinema integrated anddesigned into an apartment block,now built over in red with originallined features visible.

Apartments, No. 64-68 1900-1910 A decayed but intactexample of what used to be a seriesof 2-storey apartment buildingswith uniform louvered windows.

Deco Apartments, No 1191935-45 Bold design, roundedcorners with columns, probablypart of the Cinema Lux development originally.

Cinema Lux 1938 The only old cinema thathas survived in Phnom Penh; thefacade has been almost totallyaltered. It was later refurbished bythe French Architect Roger Colne.

No 50, Norodom BlvdNote the framed ‘brise-soleil’ sun shading and free-form roofpavilion. Now a private villa.

Ministry of Water Resources1915-1925 Renovation of what was once a colonial villa with grand entrance steps.

Villa1915-1925 A small and elegantcolonial residence. Now located in a school courtyard and used for the school's administration.

Ministry of Forestry Administration1960s Balcony-access offices, similarin style to Leroy and Mondet‘s RoyalUniversity of Phnom Penh. Note the3-storey bas-relief panel andrestored colonial villa.

Ministry of Industry and Handicraft1960s Former United StatesOperations Mission Building.

Former US Embassy1965 Imposing curved cornerentrance with distinctive squarepaneling.

Apartment Block1960s Unusual use of a whole urban block to create apartments with an internal courtyard – which may originally have been a gardenand is now mostly built-over with housing.

reported to be one of Vann Molyvann’s first buildings in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh Police Office1930-35, DEMOLISHED 2006. Architect: J. Desbois Fine ‘style moderne’ example with a curved corner, horizontal lines and zigzag air vents. Apartment BuildingsWalking up street 53, variousstyles can be seen. 1960s (firstone on the right side), style moderne 1930-40s (directly opposite, note diamond-shape balcony motifs, ironwork railings, and ventilated walls typical of this period) and an older French colonial building at the end of the street (NW corner), probably the oldest building surrounding the market. Note the makeshift rooftop additions. Central MarketArchitect: J. Desbois and L. Chauchon, 1937 Innovative, monumental Art Deco structure marking the centre of Phnom Penh. The style is characterized by the use of angular, symmetrical geometric forms. Ventilation was a key factor; the four arms stand on columns without walls, but now are closed in. Restorationcompleted in 2011. Peugeot Garage1935-45 Location of French'Peugeot' car factory/ salesbuilding; today, a Chinese bank. Customs Office1920s Notable building with Art Nouveau influences with its curvilinear design.

Villa1920s Once a residential villa, now a government office. Best viewed by entrance on Norodom Blvd. Offices1960s Structural lined facade on what used to be a whitebuilding. A similar building canbe seen at the intersection north of this one. The inter- section south (St 136/19) offers two almost identical 1960s apartment buildings with vertical structured features. Previous site of a church and french school.

Hemakcheat Cinema1950s This large former cinema,in Brutalist/modern style, is todayhome to many people who live indesperate conditions. Intersection1900-1980 All buildings on theintersection have different styles.A French colonial building datingfrom 1900-1910 (SE corner), oppositea French building in style moderne (1935-45), the other two buildings date from the early 1980s. Intersection1935-45 Features a fairlywell-maintained Art Deco building(NW corner) with other examplesof 1940s (NE corner) and 1960sbuildings (SE and SW corners). IntersectionThis intersection is constitutedby an old French/Chinese house, slowly being swallowed up by development, and three examplesof apartment buildings from the1940s (NE, SE corners) and1960s (SW corner).

Government Office1940s

Hotel International1900-1910 On what was PhnomPenh's busiest shopping streets; altered many times and no longer a hotel; the old signs are still readable on the entrance, i.e. 'Horlogerie', a clock store.

Apartment Building1918 An example of a beautifullyrestored French colonial building.

Apartment Building1950s With its 'Sy Cai Librarie'sign still imprinted. This buildingused to be a Chinese stationery store.

Apartment Building1910s Originally offices for the‘Bureau Dumarest D’Indochine’,now apartments with a grand caféon the ground floor.

Wat Ounalom1442 Walk through one of PhnomPenh's oldest Buddhist temples.

24 Police Offices1959, DEMOLISHED 2006.Architect: Vann Molyvann Extraordinary building with full height ‘brise soleil’ sun shading;

32 Apartment Building1940s Formerly a hotel, thisbuilding bears resemblance to French Mediterranean architecture with its rounded balconies.

Villa1910-1920 This decorative villa was a private residence for a wealthy Cambodian trader.

Villa 1920s Previously a private residence of a prominent Khmer Chinese family, now occupied by UNESCO.

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