Preserving Memory, Engaging Community: Adaptive resuse of the White Building in Phnom Penh

Preserving memory, ENGAGING COMMUNITY adaptive 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 the building be preserved and restored?

How can an equitable solution be found for the community?

the original idea

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 external kitchens. All the apartments from one to three rooms were cross ventilated.

The apartments were financed on the basis of a 10 year credit from the municipality and were initially much sought after by the lower middle classes

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.

context: THE BUILDING

The post independence period was epitomised by a style which merged ver- In the Bassac area where The White Building is located, the iconic National nacular traditions with a cutting edge modernist approach, usually labelled Theatre was demolished in 2008. The Grey Building, immediately adjacent, 'New Khmer Architecture'. Unfortunately in recent years numerous buildings was sold and renovated beyond recognition. from this era have been demolished to make way for 'modernisation'. There is a risk that these architecturally significant sites, and the time they represent, will be lost.

context: the community

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, however 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 overlooked, 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 community, which was violently evicted 2009 to make way for sports courts for the developer's staff.

to save the building we must act now.

Advocacy Physical upgrading Community capacity building

NGO's

Community

Heritage experts

Architects

A HOLISTIC APPROACH MUST BE TAKEN, Government

Equitable compensation

Private investors International aid

Review of urban planning strategies Provision of land titles

Commercial tenants

current situation

The building currently houses just over 2000 occupants who are under threat of eviction.

It is in a state of disrepair.

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.

Step 2: insert mixed activities

A range of commercial and cultural activities are introduced to the building and the lane way is converted to a pedestrian only public promenade.

Self sustaining model is produced

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.

functions

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

ground floor plan Souvenir and handicraft stores below mixed office and housing urban centre (gallery, library, public forum)

hospitality

office

community

(eating/drinking) (NGO, high end, Urban centre for public forums, housing + retail studio) library, gallery tourist information

hospitality (accomm)

green space (public)

parking

Restaurant and bar space below hotel accommodation

Boutique hotel and short term accommodation

The lane way transformed into a green pedestrian promenade

Cafe and retail space below offices and housing

Fresh produce market below housing

Publicly accessible spaces on the ground floor allow for energetic streetscape interactions

typical floor plan

urban centre (gallery, library, public forum)

hospitality (eating/drinking)

office (NGO, high end, studio)

community housing

parking

green space (public)

An urban center that becomes a main public attraction is placed on the busiest end

Hotel and short term accommodation

The upper floors could have mixed use functions to create a vibrant place and promote a culture of integration.

hospitality (accomm)

Around 50% of the space would be left for residential use by community members.

Offices for private companies, NGOs, public programs

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

Internal structure would be maintained while some internal partition would be rearranged to better suit the new functions

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.

road map Option 01

Government owns the building.

Government runs the project.

International bank provides funding for resettlement. Some families leave.

Government funds initial restoration.

Remaining families provided with temporary housing.

Commercial tenants rent space from Government which funds ongoing restoration and upkeep.

option 02

Government owns the building.

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 temporary housing.

Commercial tenants rent space from private investor which funds ongoing restoration and upkeep.

option 03

Government owns the building.

Community leases the building from the government and forms a group to run the project.

International bank provides funding for resettlement. Some families leave.

Revolving community fund set up to finance initial restoration. Remaining families provided with temporary housing

Commercial tenants rent space from community body which funds ongoing restoration and upkeep.

option 04

Community owns the building.

Community forms group to run project, Group links with the private and public sector.

International bank provides funding for resettlement. Some families leave.

Revolving community fund set up to finance initial restoration. Remaining families provided with temporary housing

Commercial tenants rent space from community body which funds ongoing restoration 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.