The aim of this project is to address some of the challenges that are faced by children and the community of Siem Reap

1. Address the problem of orphaned children that has been the result of civil wars, land mine activities and poverty.

2. Address a severe lack of basic skills among Siem Reap youngster

3. Empower these youngsters to engage in community activities and take an active role in the future development of their town.

Reaching outwards to the community

The concept looks to socialisation and creation of healthy relationships to uplift the underprivileged young one’s spirit. What usually happen as orphans grow older and have not been lucky to find an adoptive family, there result a period where one feels undervalued and distanced oneself from others.

The concept emphasizes:

Connectivity & Relationships – The involvement and exchange between the school, the community, and local business establishments as seen in the different programmatic elements that come together on the site.

Feeling of home – a sense of belonging

Prioritise specific relationships between care-giver and child / child and child / teacher and student / student and student / orphans to community children (Family relationship)

Target:

The orphaned from 0 to 18 years of age: Many have physical and mental health problem. (100)

Pre-Primary, Primary school kids & Vocational training from communities around. (100) (To better Integrate the school into the community)

Strategies

Fluidity of spaces – walls engages, gathers and redirects

Private v/s public spaces as defined by courtyards

Emotional Comfort: looking at the scale of the school from the perspective of a child. Hierarchy of spaces to promote different relationships.

Site & Context Response

Wat Po Lanka as defined by the new masterplan is a region characterised by the local community flavour. The different communities congragate around Wat Po itself creating this central node for community activities. However, there is currently a severe lack of basic facilities in the region to support the communities. This offers the opportunity to explore & develop a community oriented program that offers key facilities for the public’s enjoyment. Wat Po Lanka also offers the opportunity for both the orphanage & the temple to work together for the community.

Materiality

Brick is naturally beautiful. Its warmth reminds of the people of Siem Reap… their warm welcome and conviviality. Its human scale adds intimacy to spaces and makes it easy for children to appreciate. Its colour blends with the dusty red fog that fills the throat & nostrils as one strolls through the town. Put into place by hand, one by one, only brick gives that touch of craftsmanship, authenticity, and timeless elegance.

The programme for semester 2 consisted of two parts: a group masterplan and a related individual project. Our studio embarked on a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. During five days, we gathered as much data as we could to help us back in Singapore. Through this hands-on approach, we were able to experience the place, its character and the warm hospitality and conviviality of the Cambodians. This, to a certain extent, was helpful to anticipate some of the most common needs and issues that the town would face as it grows.

Siem Reap, like many South East Asian Villages grew from the river. Buddhism has had a heavy influence in the city and is shown through the the wats(temples); each having a unique character. They are traditionally at the crux of communities, dominating the skyline and commanding a clear connection to the river. However, with the heavy influence of tourism in the last 10 years, the city has undergone a haphazard growth, and this connection has slowly faded.

The Masterplan is conscious of the influence of tourism in the town and the tendency of Siem Reap to become a service town to the tourists with a sprawl of hotels and restaurants. While we agree that tourism is the backbone of the economy of the town, we also try, through educational and empowerment programs, to level the differences between local and foreigners so that there can be meaningful exchange between them.

Above are some of the broad strokes and concepts underlying the Masterplan.

Tutor: Richard Ho

Credits are due to the students of Richard Ho Studio.group 2008