hong kong-based studio orient occident atelier (OOA) envisions a hotel in the cambodian city of siem reap, an area famous for the angkor wat temple complex. together with the touristic nature of the site, the region is known for 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.

OOA forms 'hotel siem reap' in cambodia to recall the form of wine making barrels
all images by magic kwan, kenrick wong

 

 

in forming the ‘hotel siem reap’, the design team at OOA expresses formal influence from the shapes of the local wine brewing kits and the warehouse typology. the team juxtaposes a collection of cylindrical buildings and spaces which are meticulously connected. each circular space houses a unique program, and the elaborate layout allows residents to meander through one space after another, enriching the accommodation experience. 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.

OOA forms 'hotel siem reap' in cambodia to recall the form of wine making barrels

 

 

OOA designs the hotel with an integrated rooftop observation deck that overlooks angkor wat and for guests to relax. a bamboo gate can be opened to transform the ground floor kitchen into a community kitchen and dining room. the design team seeks to express the project as both a hotel and a mini-museum. utilizing modern architectural design methodologies, the team blends the past, present, and future through imagination, material, and motif.

OOA forms 'hotel siem reap' in cambodia to recall the form of wine making barrels OOA forms 'hotel siem reap' in cambodia to recall the form of wine making barrelsOOA forms 'hotel siem reap' in cambodia to recall the form of wine making barrels

 

 

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project info:

 

project title: hotel siem reap

architecture: orient occident atelier (OOA)

location: siem reap, cambodia

lead architects: kenrick wong, magic kwan

design team: kenrick wong, magic kwan, obed cheung, jasmine chan, yen poon, fionne chan, louis shing, helen kwan, chloe lui