/ Photographs: Antoine Raab, Nataly Lee, Bloom Architecture /
A colonial terraced house stands the test of time in a quaint riverside neighborhood in Kampot, a city in southern Cambodia. The house that had previously fallen into disrepair and kept closed for years was recently restored to all its former glory. Beautifully renovated, it transforms into a home-cum-restaurant exuding good vibes. The dining room is downstairs, while the family home is tucked away in a quiet place upstairs. It’s the story of architectural preservation in an area rich in history. Things have changed, people’s lifestyles included.
Hiding in plain sight inside a colonial style commercial building, the family home-cum-restaurant tells the story of architectural conservation in a neighborhood known for its richness in history and heritage.Like a journey through time, the downstairs dining room boasts a beautiful mix of old-fashioned porcelain tiles on the floor, uncovered brick walls and wooden furniture.
To make the old house fit for modern living, the design team focused on conserving all distinctive attributes in their existing state. They included, among others, the building façade with large arched openings on the second floor balcony, elaborate ornamentation, and weather-beaten looks on the walls left behind by the passage of time.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN (above) and FIRST FLOOR PLAN (below) / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureROOFTOP PLAN / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureThe bright and airy interior is connected to the courtyard accessible via glass doors that open to admit natural daylight and fresh air.
Together they chronicled events on a long journey through time. Where suitable, old timber recycled from the old house found a new purpose as part of furniture, while all the windows were built fresh, combining the old with the new.
Interior design showcases a textured wall in its existing state adorned with custom framed photo prints.
Despite the appearance of a colonial style commercial building, things have changed inside in a way that’s right for modern lifestyle needs. The downstairs dining room is light and airy with plenty of seating available. Wooden tables and chairs come in various shapes and sizes, while exposed wood beam ceilings make the room feel more spacious. Underneath it all, uncovered brick leave textures on walls, whereas the floor is of porcelain tiles showcasing the patterns unique to colonial times.
A spiral staircase gives access to the family home upstairs and continues on to the rooftop deck with skyline views of Kampot.Viewed from a high angle, the center courtyard with a spiral staircase painted white brings sunlight and fresh outdoor air into the home.
Taking everything into account, the interior is impressive and well-lit thanks to a center courtyard with a steel spiral staircase giving access to the family home upstairs. As the most important feature of the house, it brings in natural daylight and increases ventilation, keeping the house cool in summer.
The upstairs family living room is spacious thanks to double height ceilings. Furniture is made of reclaimed wood left over from the renovation project.The bedroom is well-ventilated as a result of large glass doors that open to connect with the center courtyard.Arched openings on the building façade and elaborate ornamentation are jealously preserved for old times’ sake.
Plus, it creates a calm living space to relax and recharge after a busy day at work. Simply step out on the balcony to get some fresh air. From here, the spiral staircase continues on to the rooftop deck affording a wonderful panorama of Kampot. In a few words, it’s a renovation done right, one that breathes new life into a tired old home in an interesting way.
Like the opening scene of a movie, a luxury resort named Amber Kampot nestles warmly amidst lush mangrove forests and tidal ponds straddling the boundary between land and sea in southern Cambodia. Embracing the charm of rural life, it offers a wonderful panorama of the Kampot River lined with picturesque fishing villages. Needless to say, the region is widely regarded as a treasure trove of culture, history and beautiful coastlines.
The waterfront resort is aglow under the lights as the night unfolds. Seen from a distance, the building façade built of heavy timber framing is stained to a dark shade that perfectly blends into the wider landscape of southern Cambodia.
Characterized by rectangular precision, the waterfront vacation getaway consists of a principal building that includes foyers, service facilities and the entrance to villas for guest accommodations. The luxurious country villas come in three types, each offering a spacious veranda overlooking a meticulously manicured lawn and gardens bursting with curb appeal.
Amber Kampot boasts 6,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor living space designed for travelers seeking luxury accommodations in a peaceful environment. The overall effect is impressive. To the West, the misty mountain peaks of Bokor National Park are visible from miles around, while the tidal mouth of the Kampot River creates unforgettable hotel experiences.
A drawing of the floor plan of Villa Type 1A. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA drawing of the floor plan of Villa Type 1B. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA drawing of the floor plan of Villa Type 2. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA drawing of the floor plan of the principal building and nearby swimming pool overlooking the Kampot River. / Courtesy of Bloom ArchitectureA charcoal sketch of the master plan illustrates the positioning of the principal building, the riverfront pier and villas for guest accommodations disposed around tidal pools and pristine mangrove forests at the estuary of the Kampot River, southern Cambodia. / Courtesy of Bloom Architecture
Apart from nature’s most unspoiled landscapes, fresh air and sunshine, vernacular style homes stand as a testament to the fishing community’s rich cultural heritage. Together, they provide the Phnom Penh-based firm Bloom Architecture with valuable inspiration. And the result of all this is a hideaway luxury resort warmly cocooned among the trees, green foliage and tidal pools.
From a design point of view, the principal building and villas for guest accommodations are built strong, thanks to heavy timber framing stained to a dark shade that blends with the natural surroundings. Quality stains penetrate the wood grain, preventing moisture damage. Plus, they merge with growing plants and bodies of water in the background, creating a verdant oasis perfect for relaxation.
A diverse array of foliage plants adds privacy screen protection to a villa for guest accommodations.
Amber Kampot offers three types of accommodation, including detached and semi-detached houses known as Villa Type 1A, Villa Type 1B, and Villa Type 2. They vary in size depending on the number of guests staying and share one outstanding feature – an off-the-grid getaway where privacy takes priority. Each villa has a roofed platform along the outside that connects with nature, creating a perfect blend of cozy indoors and beautiful outdoors.
Step into the room, and you find the interiors painted a cool-toned white alternating with spots lacking embellishment intended to showcase the rawness of wood and concrete surfaces. Together they speak volumes for the beauty of vernacular culture – the forms and the crafts of carpentry unique to skilled builders in this part of Cambodia. Their signature lies in the perfect blend between traditional woodworking, an emphasis on natural lighting and the floors covered in sandstone pavers.
Plants with colorful foliage permeate through the living spaces at Amber Kampot, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Minimalist vessel sinks paired with greenery give off good vibes.A glass wall hung with pleated curtains opens and shuts as needed to regulate the amounts of light streaming into the room. It visually connects with a lush lawn hemmed in by trees and the understory of colorful shrubbery.
Outside, gray stone paver patios, foot bridges and garden pathways give access to all the villas. Each one of them is enclosed by a fence of wooden stakes that doubles as privacy screen protection within hotel premises. Nearby, trees and the understory of shrubs and hanging vines thrive luxuriantly keeping the villas cool in summer.
A garden bridge gives access to all the villas on the resort set amidst pristine mangrove forests at the tidal mouth of the Kampot River, southern Cambodia.
Back on the waterfront, the principal building contains a restaurant offering fusion cuisine bringing together ingredients from different cultures and recipes. As to be expected, there’s also a spa for health and beauty treatment as well as a gym and a swimming pool. Nearby, a riverfront esplanade provides ample space where people may walk for pleasure.
Fresh air and sunshine! The riverfront resort is silhouetted against mangrove forests with the misty peaks of Kampot Mountain visible from miles around.
Briefly, Amber Kampot is a marriage of rural charm and well-thought-out design, a translation of complex ideas into a form easily understood by everyone. Unequivocally, the design team at Bloom Architecture has succeeded in creating a romantic villa getaway ensconced in nature. Swing by Amber Kampot on your next country sojourn.
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Amber Kampot: A Luxury Resort Captures the Beauty of Cambodia’s Shorelines
