Site
Siem Reap in Cambodia is not only famous for Angkor Wat but also its traditional home-made rice wine. Located at the village next to a paddy field, the boutique hotel overlooks Angkor Wat. The design of the boutique hotel superimposes the local Cambodian living culture with the rice wine making cylinder spaces and processes. The site was originally a colonial-era Cambodian-style police station and a rice godown in Khmer Rouge Period.
Design: Inspired by the local winemaking culture and the light and shadow of Angkor Wat
Based on the shapes of the local brewing kits and the warehouse, we juxtaposed a number of cylindrical buildings and spaces which are meticulously connected. Each circular space houses a unique function, and the elaborate layout allows residents to meander through one space after another like the wine-making process, enriching the accommodation experience. There is an observation deck on the rooftop that overlooks the sunrise in Angkor Wat and for guests to relax. The bamboo gate can be opened, transforming the ground floor kitchen into a community kitchen and dining room. Not unlike the seminal galleries of Angkor Wat, we experimented to recreate an intriguing interplay of light and shadow, infusing a new dimension to the hospitality typology.
Celebrating local culture
This is a hotel and a mini-museum which intends to bring social awareness to the multifaceted culture of Cambodia. The building celebrates the lesser-known history of winemaking and rice production in Angkor Wat, adding a unique experience to hospitality. Utilizing modern architectural design methodologies, we blend the past, present, and future through imagination, material, and motif. Throughout their stay, residents immerse themselves in a contemporary Cambodian lifestyle, whilst remembering the antiquities of tradition.