Affordable Housing Design Challenge 2018

Cambodia (Khmer: Kampuchea, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia) is currently experiencing something of an industrial revolution in the 21st century. Cambodia is developing to become an economic centre for manufacturing and production, graduating from the status of a Low income country to a Low-middle income Country in 2016. As more international companies move their production within Cambodia’s borders, the capital city located on the banks of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong River, Phnom Penh, is experiencing rapid urbanization.

As low-income workers flood the city to live nearer to employment opportunities, and to pursue better living conditions, the city struggles to build infrastructure and affordable housing to support its new residents. Despite the national economic optimism, many urban residents live in dismal, slum-like conditions. Small multifamily units with poor ventilation, light, and water access are offered without proper rent protection, leaving the city’s most desperate residents vulnerable to their landlords. Often, the housing available to these low-income workers is little more than a poorly constructed room.

The Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, in association with United Nations Development Programme SDG Finance initiative* and Building Trust International, aims to support the transition from Special Economic Zones to SUSTAINABLE Economic Zones in line with the UN SDG Goals. This first challenge focuses on building new affordable social housing for low-income workers.

These new units should be well-designed, sustainable, and most importantly, improve the quality of life of the intended residents and the surrounding community. More than just housing, this new project should build a future for workers and their families in Cambodia.

Design Challenge

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. As the costs related to sustainable technology solutions decrease, opportunities arise to integrate new technology innovations into the design. Sales cost per standard unit house should be capped at US$16,000, to maintain affordability and allow for future ownership by factory workers. The standard unit house, should be safe, include at minimum; a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and an independent toilet. Efficient space management and new construction designs may allow for variable and adaptable space usage. Thought should be given to access to fire exits, ventilation and natural light.

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.

For more information visit buildingtrustinternational.org