A landmark café shaped by the rhythm of arrival and departure at Phnom Penh’s former international airport.
The brief
Brown Airport Roastery is located along the Russian Federation Boulevard, directly facing the former Phnom Penh International Airport at Pochentong. Before the new airport opened, this site was a symbolic gateway to the city, shaped by continuous movement, shifting emotions, and the flow of travellers entering or leaving Cambodia.
The architecture responds to this transitional landscape with a bold monolithic façade in exposed concrete, softened by large openings and warm natural light. The sweeping roofline draws from a Khmer gesture associated with welcome and farewell, giving the building a cultural resonance anchored in the rituals of travel.
Inside, the space unfolds along a central walkway animated by skylight patterns. One side offers indoor seating behind transparent glazing, while outdoor benches sit among planted beds on the other. Although located in a high-traffic zone, the café creates a moment of pause and calm, bridging the intensity of the boulevard and the softer rhythm of daily life.
Scope of Work
Architectural concept, façade design, interior design, counter and millwork, lighting design, spatial planning, material strategy.
Photos Credit: TDB Projects
Curved forms, warm textures, and gentle shadows give the roastery a sense of flow that mirrors the movement of travellers. The counter follows the sweep of the roof, blurring interior and exterior boundaries and reinforcing a feeling of continuous motion.
