Projects Cambodia: December 2011

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Vattanac Capital: project detail

Cambodia’s first high-rise utilises the extensive knowledge and experience of “placemaking” to create a visionary landmark project and an internationally unique cultural presence for Phnom Penh.

This 39-storey, 183.8m tower will be the tallest building in the city and position the new Vattanac Capital headquarters solidly in the heart of an emerging new business and financial district. Situated on the busy Monivong Boulevard, a major North-south route through the capital and East-west via Praeh Mohaksat Treiyani Kossamak the development is centrally placed with excellent transport connections. Designed as an iconic landmark with a strong Cambodian identity, Vattanac Capital Tower is bringing innovation to the city.

As the country’s economy continues to grow under the re-elected leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party, this building is leading the way in setting the highest possible standards for design and construction.

Designed to incorporate a banking headquarters, trading floors, offices, high-end retail and luxury serviced apartments, this will be the first high-rise and international Grade-A, LEED Certified development in Cambodia. The iconic shape of the tower evokes images of a dragon’s back – symbolizing good luck and wealth. The southern elevation is recessed to allow a generous drop-off area immediately outside the bank and the high-end retail area where leading designer stores will be showcased under the expansive curve of the roof. The northern elevation forms the reception for the luxury serviced apartments and unprecedented living options for executives.

The geometry of the tower is chamfered towards the East to allow occupants panoramic river views. As the building covers most of the site, the set back allows for a small plaza area at its base. The tower will house VIP dining and entertainment areas, a cantilevered entertainment pod with a viewing deck and executive trading floors with views of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers.

The curving West elevation of the tower symbolises the back of the great “Dragon King.” According to mythology the Dragon Kings live in “crystal palaces” - the towering glass façade of Vattanac Capital and banking hall will provide a suitable resting place.

The Retail Hall is located prominently at the heart of the podium on three levels offering a unique shopping experience. The South elevation with its glazed façade and high ceilings maximises the visual connection between the shops and the landscaped green spine.

Designed as part of the floating low-rise structure that sits upon the podium, the high-efficiency office block was created for financial trading floors with maximum layout flexibility and an open floor plate that provides unobstructed views and abundant daylight. The rooms around the edge can be utilised as meeting rooms or data centres. Plant and air handling units have been located on the level below to maximise free space.

The cantilevered roof is designed to let light filter through the ‘Dragon’s Scales’ (Glass Spandrels) and underlying structure into the heart of the banking hall. Shading is provided under the roof structure to avoid overheating. The distinctive decorative screen on the elevations acts as a solar shade and takes reference from the carvings on ancient Khmer buildings.

(Text by TFP architects)

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Vattanac Capital location map

Artist's rendering of Vattanac capitalImage Courtesy: TFP architects's Archello page

Rendering of Vattanac capital's areal view
Image Courtesy: TFP architects's Archello page

Rendering of bird-eye view of Vattanac capital
Image Courtesy: TFP architects's Archello page

Rendering of interior of Vattanac capital
Image Courtesy: TFP architects's Archello page

Rendering of Vattanac capital front facade
Image Courtesy: TFP architects's Archello page

Section
Image courtesy: Vattanac Capital

Diagram of floor arrangement

A7corp & big projects in Cambodia

Founded in September 1995, A7corp is a big Thai architecture company and one of the leading foreign architecture firms who take responsible for various projects in Cambodia. According to its website, A7corp is selected as one among Top Ten architectural firms in Thailand (The BCI Asia Top Ten Architects 2011 Thailand) for its recent projects such as:

- Chruy Chongva City Phnom Penh

- Olympic Complex Phnom Penh

-The Venezia Hua Hin

-The Conservative Renewal and Development Research Project of The Historical Area of Ratchadamn.

It is seen that A7corp has been working on projects in Cambodia more than in Thailand. Many of its projects located in Cambodia are very big ones and most of them are owned by OCIC (Canadia bank). A7corp works for Canadia includes Candia tower, Koh pich, Rose condo... and especially its recent project Olympic Complex Phnom Penh and Olympic Complex Phnom Penh.

A7corp was also commissioned by Cambodia Parliamentary to design present Nation Assembly building. It seems A7corp do almost all big projects in Cambodia.

Below, we will show some projects of A7corp