Preserve the great memory, Preserve our heritage, and Act now!

White building and Gray building (now known as Phnom Penh center) was a part of Vann Molyvann’s Bassac area project. The Grey Building has been invested by Malaysian company and it was renovated beyond recognition. White building, as you seen in picture, is now in danger of demolition. It was designed as a social housing by Lu Bun hap and Vladimir Bodiansky architects and was constructed in the 1960s. The Phnom Penh municipality has released its notification letter that the building will collapse as it is very old and stands without maintenance. Sure, the building is over-occupied and looks so old but it doesn’t mean that It’s too old or too damaged to be restored or reused. Since it is a significant part of the Modern Khmer Architecture movement, it should be called a heritage (non-Angkor area heritage). No one destroyed their heritage so this building should be preserved.

Not only related people should have concern on this issue but everyone should be concerned to make a big voice. A big voice can be heard more easily than a small voice. Sadly, more and more French colonial, 50s and 60s buildings have been being demolished to make a way for modernization. This is not a good choice to modernize Phnom Pench city. That’s why we should make a big voice for our beloved city.

To know more about this issue and how we transform this old building into a profitable one ( tourism, business..) please follow this link to the alternative plan designed by Mr. Giacomo Butte, an Italian architect. I found it greatly interesting .  I really appreciate his work. If Phnom Penh municipality take this plan into consideration, I am sure that the city residents will be much happy especially people who live in the White building. Moreover, if the building is preserved, the memory of the golden age of the 1950s and 60s will also be preserved.