Building Trust International has launched an open contest to design a 3,000-unit affordable housing development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Deadline: 15 July)

Open to architects, designers and engineers, the single-stage competition seeks a masterplan and sustainable housing concept for low-income workers within the capital city’s rapidly growing Special Economic Zone.

The project, backed by the United Nations Development Programme and the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ), aims to boost the quality of life of local residents and surrounding communities by delivering new units at a cost of $16,000 each. The winners will share a $40,000 prize fund and potentially see their designs built.

According to the brief: ‘The aim of this competition is to design modern, affordable homes for the workers in and nearby PPSEZ. The design should have a sensitivity to the local culture and tropical surroundings and where possible provide a sustainable solution that enhances the local architectural tradition, in which locally sourced renewable resources are used to provide natural temperature and humidity regulation.

‘The houses should be designed for families, young couples with optional design elements for multiple or larger groups. As a total of 3,000 units are to be designed within the housing community, please include an overall masterplan of how the units will be arranged. This community planning should include supporting facilities that meet the basic needs of residents, such as children’s daycare, shops, and public/green space.’

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and the country’s main economic, industrial, and cultural centre. In recent years it has witnessed a surge in manufacturing activity which has brought large numbers of low-income workers to the city.

The PPSEZ was set up 12 years ago on the outskirts of the city and is today home to more than 88 companies which benefit from a range of government support programmes, reduced bureaucratic requirements and high-tech infrastructure.

The latest competition focuses on a 70,000㎡ riverside site within PPSEZ’s third phase which will be the latest part of the development and is currently being marketed to interested companies.

Submissions must feature a standard housing unit – which will be sold for a maximum of $16,000 – featuring a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and toilet. Concepts will be expected to maximise space and provide access to fire exits, ventilation and natural light.

The overall winners, to be announced 1 September, will receive a $20,000 prize while four additional prizes worth $5,000 each will also be awarded

https://www.architectural-review.com/co ... 75.article

16 000$ ? What would be the area of a unit to make it not look like a cage ? 20/30 sqm ?

Kayve wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:19 pm 16 000$ ? What would be the area of a unit to make it not look like a cage ? 20/30 sqm ?

Good question. One would hope that they would design units for larger families that had an extra bedroom or two for larger families for a few thou more.

and who buys the land?

Kayve wrote: ↑Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:19 pm 16 000$ ? What would be the area of a unit to make it not look like a cage ? 20/30 sqm ?

I think they're looking at 5 x 10m, ground and mezzanine.

PSE did some interesting work with affordable housing, the units looked very nice.

thats one way to solicit for a design without hving to pay an exorbitant price for one

These are the units built by PSE..search Smile Village PSE Cambodia

house on stilts, so that u can tie ur cows to the stilts

Or a Lexus...