| Tours of modern architecture in Cambodia
Our tours focus on buildings erected after Cambodia's independence in 1953, described as 'New Khmer Architecture', while setting these in the historical context of Phnom Penh. Regular
tours take place on the second and fouth weekend of each month. If you are interested in a special 'custom' tour, please email us; we can offer two main options for private tours, or can customise these where preferred. Tours may on request be given in French, Chinese or German as well as English. To request more information and check availability, please email: contact(at)ka-tours.org
Regular tours:
Sunday
12 February 12 Saturday
25
February 12 Sunday
11 March 12 Sunday
25 March 12 Sunday
8 April 12 Sunday
22 April 12 Sunday
13 May 12 Sunday
27 May 12 How to book: For all tours, please email us at contact(at)ka-tours.org with your request for places; please include names, at least one mobile telephone number and which tour you would like. We will email you back with joining details and contact numbers. All tours start at 8.30am except where noted. Please note that bookings for the University and Front du Bassac tours should be received three days or more before the tour, to allow for organising access and transport. Thanks!
Details of tours :
Central Phnom Penh by cyclo Travelling by cyclo (a Cambodian bicycle-powered rickshaw) is a special way of experiencing the streets and buildings of the city; we aim to enter some buildings and see others from the pavement or the cyclo. We explore the district around the old Post Office, then go south to the area south-east of the Central Market. We start at 8.30am and aim to return after around 2.5 - 3hrs including a short drinks stop;15 adult places. Cost is $12 per person including the cyclo hire and English speaking guides. Children are free if they share a cyclo with an adult. PS The tour takes place normally
on the second Sunday of each month, but can be arranged to run at different
times on request. We
meet in town and travel by bus. Start at 8.30am, end around 11.30am. We first take a short walk around the area known as the Front du Bassac, planned in the 1960s to be a 'civic and cultural centre', and look briefly at the Grey Building; we visit an apartment in the White Building, before walking to the conference hall to see the interior and exterior. Start
at 8.30am and end around 10.30am. Please
book at least 3 days ahead. Walking
Maps: In addition to our Phnom Penh Central map we are very pleased to offer two maps of Battambang, for you to do your own walking tours; these have been produced in partnership with the City of Battambang and the German Development Service. The maps are free for personal use. Download and print them for handy, full-of-info guides to some of the most interesting streets in Phnom Penh and Battambang. All comments/suggestions gratefully received. Copyright: please note that reproduction for commercial use is not allowed.
Phnom Penh Central Map Battambang
Central Map
Battambang South Map ...............................................................................................................................
Background info... 1 Notes on cultural context: For Cambodia, the late 1950s and 1960s was a period of dynamic cultural and political ambition, which resulted in an extensive programme of building. The far-reaching cultural and social vision for Cambodia was reflected in the new architecture of the time; uniquely this focused on integrating an international style with local tradition, materials and climate. The resulting style has been called ‘New Khmer Architecture’ and is beginning to be recognised as an important artistic milestone in 20th century Cambodian culture. Darryl Collins, Helen Grant Ross and Hok Sokol carried out extensive original research into the architecture of the 50s and 60s; see 'Building Cambodia: New Khmer Architecture 1953-1970', listed below. The innovative cultural scene of the late 50's and the 60s is discussed in 'Cultures of Independence' published by Reyum: "The period following independence in Cambodia seems to have been marked by a willingness to expand and incorporate new elements, looking both outside and inside the newly independent nation for available methods and materials with which to build a modern culture. An emerging urban elite undertook the task of conceiving, defining, and building a "modern Khmer culture". Whether consciously or not, most of their work took up questions of how to create forms that would be recognised as both Cambodian and modern. In other words, for example how to create a contemporary architecture which incorporated ideas of international modernism while still keeping a local specificity, or how to take forms established elsewhere - such as the novel or cinema - and produce these forms as part of Cambodian culture."
2 Reference material: 'Building
Cambodia: New Khmer Architecture 1953-1970'
'Cultures
of Independence, An introduction to Cambodian
Arts and Culture in the 1950s and 1960s' 'Modern
Khmer Cities' 'Phnom
Penh a l'aube du XXIe siecle' 'Phnom
Penh developpment urbain et patrimoine' 'Phnom
Penh Then and Now' 'Before
Kampuchea'
3 Links: Open
Doors Phnom Penh - annual public event: Space
for Architecture - education, research and public participation in Cambodia:
SangSalapak : Building Arts - organise occasional architectural events
and lectures:
Reyum Institute of Art and Culture - research and publishing on cultural
issues:
Architecture Link in the UK - info on architecture tours internationally:
Fans
of Modern Khmer Architecture - images:
Blog:
New Khmer Architecture:
The Vann Molyvann Project - measured building surveys:
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The buildings pictured in 1-10 above are included in our tours. 11-12 are Sihanoukville Station - go see it yourself!
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News Update: 1 February 2012 >
New
dates for tours in April + May
People say... >"We had a terrific tour this morning, - my colleagues said that it was the best thing they had undertaken in Phnom Penh. Sokly is a truly excellent guide and all the cyclo people were delightful." - SH > "We downloaded the map and had a wonderful morning, 8am to 1pm looking at all the buildings. As an introduction to Phnom Penh it was magic. The subject matter was fascinating, the notes short but very informative and it took us down streets we would never have visited if we had kept to the main tourist sites. We looked at the street scenes with heightened interest and saw more than we would have done withour the guide. An excellent experience. Please pass on our appreciation to the architects in your group who have done such a good job." - JS > "I just wanted to let you know that we've done the architecture walking tour - downloadable version - last Friday and we loved it! it's a beautiful walk, just long enough and gives you a total different perspective on PP! After that walk, we paid a lot more attention to the buildings in PP and that was a true enrichment!" - JO
Updates by email > If you register with us, we will email occasional reminders about tour dates, but not too often. Your email details will not passed on to any one else; and you can unregister at any time. Please let us know if you would like to be on our list via: contact(at)ka-tours.org
More ideas? > We welcome comments and suggestions about buildings, tours etc. Spotted any architectural gems which might be worth visiting?
Who are we? > The aim of KA Tours is to promote the understanding of modern architecture in Cambodia. Started in 2003 as an independent, not-for-profit organisation, KA Tours is an operation of Space for Architecture which is also located in Phnom Penh and promotes dialogue about urban heritage and design as part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage. (www.spaceforarchitecture.org). > In addition to arranging tours and guiding, KA Tours researches buildings and provides training in preparing data about important buildings. Founded by Geoff PYLE, KA Tours' guides/researchers are all Cambodian architects and students of architecture. The Director is Stefanie IRMER. Our guides are SIM Sitho, YAM Sokly, SEREY Pagna and YAN Vivoath. > Funds raised by donations or tour fees are directly channeled into covering costs of the tours, which includes guide's fees, as well as sponsoring other educational activities such as lectures.
Patron: > We are highly honoured to have as our Patron His Excellency VANN Molyvann.
Collaborators: > Khmer Architecture Tours relies on the enthusiasm and efforts of our team of collaborators which includes students of architecture and graduates employed as tour guides and researchers, local and foreign architects, and architecture fans who support KA Tours as advisers, map-makers and lecturers. A mention to past researchers/guides HANN Lina, CHEAM Phanin, HOU Sarith, HOK Vichet and SOTH Sothea; all-round advisor Jane MARTIN and map-maker Tobias OLSSON. > If you are interested in assisting with research or guiding please contact us.
Contact us: Khmer
Architecture Tours
Phnom
Penh
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