The late fifties and the sixties proved to be very prolific to Cambodian architects who covered Phnom Penh and large provincial cities of buildings and structures blending Khmer traditions with the minimalist lines of the international tropical style. Khmer Architecture Tours is the only company in Cambodia to still highlight remnants of that time, before they disappear destroyed by a flurry of uncontrolled speculation.
PHNOM PENH- Non-profit organization Khmer Architecture Tours brings awareness to visitors about Phnom Penh modernist approach in architecture during the reign of Prince Sihanouk from the late fifties to the late sixties. In a time of tremendous changes in Phnom Penh’s skyline – not always to the best- this is a fun way for travellers to the Cambodian capital to enjoy some of the architectural jewels which are (still) visible… Old Phnom Penh is indeed disappearing rapidly as it hardly can’t resist the greed of promoters who wants to turn the city into a Khmer replica of Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. According to some experts, over 30% of Phnom Penh’s colonial heritage already disappeared. “I cannot confirm this number, but it seems realistic,” acknowledged Stephanie Irmer, Head of Khmer Architecture Tours.
The company started in 2003 with a purpose to raise awareness not only with travellers to Phnom Penh but also to locals, especially students from arts and architecture. “It is a challenging task as French colonial heritage or tropical modern architecture from the sixties is not considered by Khmer people as part of their own heritage. They even learn from their teachers that it has nothing to do with their culture,” Stefanie Irmer explains. The aim of KA Tours is to promote the understanding of modern architecture in Cambodia a time of unsurpassed creativity for local architects. The so-called “New Khmer Architecture” aimed in the late 1950s and 1960s to assess and strengthen Cambodia new identity; a country able to embrace emerging modern movements in the architecture by blending the minimalist influences of the international tropical style with the kingdom’s local traditions and materials. Sihanouk’s Cambodia had the open ambition to turn into a social and cultural model for the rest of Southeast Asia.
This is what Stefanie Irmer and KA Tours wants to show those days. Every month, the website of KA Tours provides a list of available tours through the streets of Phnom Penh. They can be booked by sending an email to KA Tours organizers with a request for the number of places, about the desired tour and about the names of participants. Tours should be booked at least three days in advance and travel agents can directly make a request for a private tour for their clients having an interest. Prices start for groups from US$ 50 for a three-hour tour. Examples of some tours include a visit to the University buildings on Boulevard de Russie, a Central Phnom Penh by cyclo, the discovery of 1960s houses and villas in Toul Kork district or the visit of the Olympic stadium.
In addition to arranging tours and guiding, KA Tours researches buildings and provides training in preparing data about important buildings with all Tours’ guides and researchers being all Cambodian architects and students. KA Tours complements “Space for Architecture”, an organization which is also located in Phnom Penh and promotes dialogue about urban heritage and design as part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage. Khmer Architecture Tours website offers also maps to download for individual travellers wishing to discover New Khmer Architecture in Phnom Penh as well as in Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest city.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
