Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Architect of Peace Building

Photo courtesy: PPP 7Day Photographer: Pha Lina

In Cambodian society, people know buildings rather than their architects and the word architect is used and known by a small amount of people only. Some use the word "engineer" to call an architect instead. This is caused by public lack of understanding of the profession. Projects Cambodia is committed to raise public awareness of this profession. 

Today Projects Cambodia would like to introduce a Cambodian young architect who have been responsible for a state large project. People know well about the Peace building which is bureau of the prime minister but only some people know who design it. Architect. Chea Bunseang was commissioned to design and manage the whole project. He was hired by Ly Chhoung Company as a principle architect and design manger. The Peace building project was completed in 2011 and Chea Bunseang left Ly Chhoung to open his own architectural firm under the name Bunseang architects and associates. He also worked as a studio lecturer in Panhasastra University of Cambodia. 

Bunseang graduated from Royal University of Fine Arts's Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in Phnom Penh in 1998. He worked on urban poor projects for a Non-profit sector from 1997-2000. Then he worked for United Nations Mission in East Timor(UNMET) as a volunteer for 2 years. His works in East Timor related to buildings and infrastructures. After that, He furthered his master degree in urban environmental management at AIT (Asian Institute of Technologies) in Bangkok, Thailand. On completion of his master degree, he worked at World Bank country office in Phnom Penh as a consultant. He then left Phnom Penh for New York in 2007 and work  for an international architectural firm, Nobutaka Ashihara Associates (NAA). NAA is specialized in designing  high-rise buildings, hotels, resorts and retail and residential projects in New York City and around the world. Then he returned to Cambodia and had chance to design the new Landmark of Phnom Penh. Bunseang has much experience in this sector. 

Bunseang is a young and experienced Cambodian architect who is committed to create a modern, yet uniquely Cambodian, aesthetic in architecture. He once express his vision to the Phnom Penh Post and has been quoted that "Cambodia is going forward towards a civilized modern country, and society and will be growing up with tall buildings."

Peace building which includes council of ministers office and international conference center
Reference: BAA website, Phnom Penh Post 7Day archive

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