“Home within House” wins Building Trust International's 2018 Affordable Housing Challenge in Phnom Penh

Over 3,000 architects and designers around the world took part in Building Trust International's Affordable Housing Design Challenge 2018. The competition sought proposals for the realization of a 3,000-unit housing development that will improve the quality of life for factory workers and their families in urbanizing Phnom Penh. The winning project should also set a precedent for similar affordable housing initiatives to meet the growing housing needs in Phnom Penh and other Cambodian cities.

After evaluating more than 400 entries, the jury — which comprised of representatives from Building Trust International, the United Nations Development Program, and the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone — ultimately selected “Home within House” by Mumbai-based at Architecture for first prize. Four honorable mentions from the U.S., Japan, China, and Cambodia were also selected. Check out the top-winning submissions below.

“Our design for ‘Home within House’ is derived from four principles - user comfort, community living, cost and space efficiency and sustainability. We intended to respond best to the site contexts and the given requirements, which naturally helped us in creating a Home for the workers within the House of their community,” the at Architecture team said in a statement.

The jury selected “Home within a House” for its “clever use of space, natural ventilation strategies and sensitive approach. Besides providing housing, the design also has a high level of green space, pedestrian zones, a mixture of community uses, retail streets, open space and riverside frontage”.

“‘Home Within House’, shares our long term vision for a community where comfort, affordability and sustainability are a reality for the families living and working in the Special Economic Zone,” said Nick Beresford, Cambodia Country Director of the UNDP.

In the coming months, Building Trust International will work with the UNDP, PPSEZ, and local partners to realize the winning design in 2019. The top-winning competition entries will also be exhibited next month.

Don't forget about the honorable mentions in the gallery below!