Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Calls for entries in competition to design Post Office district revamp

Calls for entries in competition to design Post Office district revamp

Lumhor is running a competition to plan a revamp of the Post Office district.
Lumhor is running a competition to plan a revamp of the Post Office district. Pha Lina

Calls for entries in competition to design Post Office district revamp

Cambodian architecture and urbanism journal Lumhor is running a competition for Phnom Penh’s architecture students to develop a regeneration plan for Phnom Penh’s Post Office district in a bid to preserve the area’s heritage while developing its commercial potential.

Lumhor founder Pen Sereypagna said the plan was to present the winning entries to the government and private sector to implement.

“In the past, architecture competitions have focused only on how to design beautiful buildings,” Pagna said. “I’ve never seen a competition on urban intervention. So this competition is about urban intervention in a public space. I think urban design for public space is the need for Phnom Penh nowadays, and the competition can get students more involved in urban design.”

Winners will receive cash prizes of up to $1,000 and free private New Khmer Architecture Tours

Pagna said the Post Office district was chosen because it was one of the most significant sites in the city. “It has unique history, heritage buildings and characteristics. Around the site, there are many big business and micro businesses, poor people and rich people.”

He said the challenge was how to keep the heritage buildings and character of the site while also benefiting commercial interests – both of larger companies and small micro businesses – and avoiding evicting poorer residents.

The Post Office district was just the first area Lumhor wants to work on, Pagna added.

“We are planning to hold a series of competitions that focus on public space – one every year or two. The other sites I am looking at are Boeung Trabek, the area along the sewage system along Street 105 in Tuol Tom Poung, and the small alley in the block in Kandal Market.”

The deadline for registration for the competition is July 17. Details: lumhor.org.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom