Successful architectural visit with Vann Molyvann

Cambodge Soir

22-09-2008

On Sunday 21 September, the French Cultural Centre organised an architectural visit of Phnom Penh under the guidance of Vann Molyvann. Basing himself on three of his major realisations, the architect explained the process he followed, meanwhile criticising the projects which are currently taking shape throughout town.

At the Institute of Foreign Languages, at the Olympic Stadium and in the conference room of Chaktomuk, the architect commented his works in-situ. Moreover, the FCC’s initiative had such a success that not all the aficionados found a seat on the busses. The convoy was thus joined by motos and tuk-tuks. More than one hundred people in total listened to the comments of Vann Molyvann in a studious atmosphere.

Respectively history professor, reminding the stake of the Cambodian urbanisation after the independence, professor of geography when explaining the currents of the Tonlé Sap, and of course professor of architecture, Vann Molyvann offered insights of his choices and placed them within that period. For almost three hours he succeeded in drawing the attention. Answering questions of the audience, the architect didn’t hesitate to take a stance concerning the new constructions and the future of his buildings. He respectively criticised the filling of the pits of the Olympic Stadium, the lack of respect of the city planning and also the filling of the Boeung Kak Lake.

Molyvann will introduce his book “Lessons from the Past” at the FCC’s cinema on Thursday 25 September at 6.30pm.

Further details concerning this day are available in the Cambodge Soir Hebdo of Thursday 25 September.