In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lok Ta Vann Molyvann, Vann Molyvann House launches Living Structures—an ambitious year-long program exploring how Cambodia’s modern architectural heritage can inform today’s urban challenges and a more climate-responsive future.
Running from 7 March 2026 to 31 January 2027, and powered by ISI Group, Living Structures convenes architects, designers, artists, educators, and cultural leaders around a shared question: how can the visionary lessons of New Khmer Architecture guide what Cambodia builds next?
Living Structures is organized by HKA + Partners in collaboration with New Khmer – Architecture, powered by ISI GROUP, with BROWN Coffee and Bakery as the venue partner. Media partners include The Gentry Hub, INNex, Archesthetic, Kiripost, and Simple Cambodia 极柬生活.
"By reimagining this home through adaptive reuse, we honor Lok Ta Vann Molyvann’s innovative spirit and show that preservation means designing boldly for the future, " says Hok Kang, principal architect of HKA + Partners.
A program built around four pillars
Living Structures is organized through four main programs:
The Community Architecture Library
Bridging the gap in academic resources through open access to architectural knowledge.The Architecture Competition
Empowering architecture students (3rd/4th year) and early-career professionals to design sustainable, climate-responsive homes for Cambodia’s future.Contemporary Art Grants
Supporting emerging Cambodian artists to explore Vann Molyvann’s legacy through visual narratives and public programs.The Cambodian Modern Architecture Exhibition
A comprehensive retrospective and projection of the future, tracing modern Cambodian architecture beyond a single “golden age.”
“We are not just preserving a building; we are activating a legacy,” said Pen Sereypagna, Architect and Director of the Vann Molyvann Project. “This library and the broader Living Structures series provide the intellectual infrastructure needed to connect local challenges to a global conversation.”
The inaugural event: Community Architecture Library (7 March 2026)
Living Structures officially commences on Saturday, 7 March 2026, with the opening of the Community Architecture Library at Vann Molyvann House.
In Cambodia, access to specialized architectural knowledge remains a significant barrier for students and emerging practitioners. The library responds by providing an open, non-institutional resource that extends learning beyond university curricula—functioning as a living platform for independent research and critical thinking.
Built largely through donations from the professional community, the collection includes contributions from Re:Edge Architecture, HKA+Partners, NK-A, UAD Architects, UNSW Sydney, Eva Lloyd, Chuong Chhoeun, Sam Sophea, Walter Koditek, Sun Pora, and anonymous donors.
Vann Molyvann's daughter, Carole
CEO of BROWN Coffee, Liv Chhoung
This program is made possible through collaboration across design, research, hospitality, and industry. We are grateful to our partners, sponsors, and the professional community whose support helps transform Vann Molyvann House into an open platform for learning and cultural engagement.
Learn more: www.vannmolyvannhouse.com
