Stuart Cochlin Architects Cambodia

07/08/2017

http://sea-globe.com/founder-siem-reaps-pactics-factory-pays-pay/?fb_ref=RRDNSY11uL-Facebook&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=ShareButton&utm_campaign=GetSocial

The only way forward for Cambodia's garment sector is good wages, worker empowerment and a focus on sustainability, argues founder Piet Holten

21/04/2016

Low Cost Fun

We were approached by a good friend David (Jam) Ramjattan from GLA to work on a low cost pilot scheme for 3 new pre-kindergarten classrooms in Wat Prasat. With government approval, this would be the first of its kind in Siem Reap. The pre-K curriculum included learning the basics such as colours, shapes amongst other foundation skills.

The budget was a tight $2,500 per classroom to transform a standard Cambodian State classroom of 8x8m. Formal in layout, dark and in a general state of disrepair at Wat Prasat, the challenge was to how to transform something very formal into something that could be playful and interactive for small children; whilst promoting an atmosphere for more interactive teaching methods, group work and play.

Longevity and durability was key. As there was no rolling budget, everything needed to be built to last and easy to maintain. We also wanted a design that could be easily repeated in more remote and rural areas where there could be a shortage of skilled labour.

As the floors were cracked, broken and needed to be fixed at the very least we knew this would become a major part of the budget. Even tiling the floor would consume the budget. It soon became apparent the only way we could remain within budget was a new screeded/ cement floor. With the remaining money, sealed paint would be the main design tool to transform the space. Working closely with the Client, the result was largely a simple yet playful exercise in the power of paint.

1. A ‘landscape’ was created consisting of a simple path connecting zones of colours and shapes which tied into the general curriculum. At each end, two simple backdrop scenes were painted. One a sea landscape, the other end rolling hills. Children could then put up the pictures of houses, the family, fish, birds and animals they created up on the wall.

2.To increase natural daylight, the concrete vents to the entrance side were removed and grilled.

3.Outside seating and planter box separation was put in to aid better class management.

4.To promote interactivity between the children and better classroom management, the existing tables and chairs were recycled into circular tables.

A follow up teacher training program was established using the Ministry of Educations Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. Following the renovation, the teachers were trained how to use the space for games, lessons, sequencing etc.

The teacher feedback two years on is still very positive and the children are always keen to come into class. A good sign.

29/12/2015

Proud to see one of my projects in the The Guardian. We all have a social and environmental responsibility. This was a great opportunity for me to implement some innovative and sustainable architectural solutions in Cambodia.

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/29/cambodia-textile-firm-garment-industry-workers-rights?CMP=share_btn_fb

South-east Asia’s garment industry has a bad name but decent wages, childcare and labour rights are high priorities for one company breaking the mould

01/12/2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3U-f8HTggU

A recent promotion video by the Battambang Resort.
Completed 3 years ago, The Battambang Resort was designed to sit within a natural landscape. Creating ‘breathing spaces’ between the rooms, the public spaces and its connection to the landscape was fundamental to the design concept.
Off course gardens take time to grow into themselves (and a few rainy seasons). Congratulations to the owners of the Battambang Resort who transformed what was only a handful of trees at the beginning into a jungle oasis.

The luxurious Battambang Resort has been warmly welcoming guests for a little more then 3 years now, establishing its reputation as a small piece of paradise...

20/08/2015

In the last 2 years, Ammo has expanded to provide a vocational training programme to teach jewellery making to local disadvantaged Cambodians, and currently, the team consists of one master jewelle...

07/05/2015

A former shop house, existing building had gone through a number of significant alterations and add-ons over the years with none of the original architectural features left internally. A sign of the times of many buildings of this period, the result was a series of distinctive but disconnected spaces far removed from its original layout.

The concept grew from a direct response to this existing condition:

Instead of ‘blending’ the spaces together in a conventional manner, the idea was to find a new architectural element that would ‘interact’ with the existing spaces, tying them together.
This ‘language’ could then be adapted to give an identity to the dining, lounging and bar area and outside courtyards.

Taking on a ‘mondiran-esque’ quality, a new ‘floating’ suspended steel frame was introduced. Weaving through the space the same level, it is dense over the lounging area and splays out over the dining area with only fragments of it in the double height bar space area.

Forming smaller rectangular panels of various proportions, the panels would be left open in parts (with views to the ceiling above) or otherwise filled in with solid panels, mirrors or frosted glass. Concealed lighting was placed above the solid panels filling the ‘volume’ of the spaces and backlighting the frosted glass. Adding ‘character’ to this new element the steel frame folds down the walls, enveloping the space with backlit windows or mirrors. Two large picture windows frame the overall internal space. At the rear, the window looks out to the courtyard tree canopy and the front picture frames the full depth of the space. The suspended steel frame switches at the same level to a decorative grill into the courtyard garden (a pattern abstracted from traditional Cambodian tiles) and a lightweight glass canopy to the front.

02/03/2015

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/9141/stuart-cochlin--the-man-behind-the-puppets/

30/01/2015

Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia near the world famous Angkor Wat Temples, the new Pactics factory confronts the perception and realities of the infamous garment factory building type. The challenge was to develop a simple, low cost solution whilst focusing on the well-being of the end user. Likeminded in our goals, the client embraced the opportunity. As much emphasis was placed on site layout as building design to create a positive working environment.

The site layout was developed by placing the end user at its center. As opposed to common tack-on staff facilities to large factory spaces, two key backbone ‘public’ spaces create the heart. The first was a large landscaped garden surrounded by the factory buildings; the second was a dining area/multipurpose space providing a dramatic focal point to the staff facilities. Giving ‘importance’ to the end user served to promote a positive balance with daily operations.

For the main factory, we moved away from the standard large deep plan. Breaking the buildings down around the courtyard garden and positioned in line with the prominent wind direction, shallower plans allowed for increased natural ventilation and daylight within the buildings. Large north facing glazing and vents allow all working spaces to be indirectly naturally lit with minimal need for additional lighting. External covered walkways with a translucent roof link all buildings and staff facilities. To keep construction cost effective, brickwork, the concrete frame and roof are predominantly left in their natural finish.

This project was developed in line with recommendations from ‘Better Factories Cambodia’ (partner with the International Labour Organization). Additional staff facilities include a crèche, library, computer and medical rooms. Disabled access is maintained throughout which is not currently a building regulation requirement.

Additional environmental strategies were adopted, including rainwater harvesting linked to a potable water filtration unit, a bio-diesel back-up generator and solar array.

Photos: by John McDermott & Antal Gabelics

04/11/2014

Southeast Asia Building (SEAB) is a Singapore-based, bi-monthly trade magazine dedicated to architecture, interior design, landscaping, and M&E (Mechanical and Electrical) engineering.

11/08/2014

Located on Street 2 ½ (yes two and a half), The Lotus, Bar and Gallery is the newest addition to Battambang’s expanding arts scene.

The Client, a local expatriate who had been actively involved in the arts scene for a number of years in Cambodia wanted to create a bar, restaurant and a multi-purpose arts space. This included flexibility for painting and photography exhibitions, digital projections, live music, poetry nights and film screenings.

Generally narrow and deep in plan, early Cambodian shop houses would have an interior courtyard placed further back in the building which brought daylight and ventilation deep into the building. More common than not, over time, these areas are generally roofed over and closed off to create additional floor space.

Situated in a protected area of Battamabang, where a number of poor alterations have been made on existing shop houses, the design strategy soon became a case study, to see how contemporary design and uses could sensitively play out with this historically significant building type. By always working to this strategy, a more cohesive and overall complementary design was achieved.

12/07/2013

Extension of existing cocktail bar with adjoining premises. Design of the themed interior based around the Client's antiques and artwork.