BLOOM Architecture

04/02/2026

We are honored to announce that Angkor grace is one of the nominees for the ArchDaily 2026 Building of the Year Awards.

Now in its 17th year, the award is shaped by a community-driven process open to the global architectural public. Each year, thousands of architects and design enthusiasts worldwide participate by voting, offering a broad and international perspective on the projects that are genuinely influencing the discipline and advancing architectural discourse.

Vote now: http://boty.archdaily.com/us/2026/candidates/179420/angkor-grace-residence-slash-bloom-architecture/referal/8377021_f1e1f92c

02/02/2026

16/12/2025

TIME // ZUELLIG PHARMA HEAD OFFICE

Zuellig Pharma envisioned an open, collaborative workplace with a central green atrium. However, this would have worked against the building’s structural integrity. Instead, the concept was inverted—wrapping the more social space around a core air-conditioned office, forming a naturally ventilated buffer that reduced heat, improved airflow, and softened the transition between inside and out.

12/12/2025

MATERIALS IN BLOOM // NOVOTEL SIHANOUKVILLE

From the street, visitors to Novotel Sihanoukville encounter a generous facade of sandstone, grounding the building in elegant local materials while creating a clear visual contrast with the white concrete structure rising above.

09/12/2025

LIVING CANVAS // ATVEAR HOUSE

A prominent curved motif frames the threshold between inside and outside, inviting a natural continuation into the back garden. The same shape is echoed in the arched beams of the living space, as well as several feature walls, softening the linear concrete form and providing inspiration for the custom-designed furniture.

05/12/2025

ENERGY CONSERVATION // THE BANG

Rather than resisting the Cambodian sun, we filter it through screens made from finely profiled local wood. Supported by a lightweight metal structure, this feature reduces building mass, enables shallow foundations, and creates a sense of weightlessness in contrast to its surroundings. While presenting a thoughtful blend of local craftsmanship with industrial materials, the design also allows for evolution over time.

02/12/2025

SEASIDE LANDMARK

As the first structure to be built on the reclaimed land, it was an incredible opportunity to define the look and feel of the entire area. It had the potential to become a landmark, a masterpiece–an act of creation arising from the sea.

28/11/2025

When the place is as meaningful as the talk.

Yesterday, Bloom’s principal Antoine Meinnel, had the opportunity to share the philosophy and the knowledge accumulated by Bloom over the last 10 years with engineering and architecture students from the Institute of Technology.

A very complementary presentation from Yvon Chalm explained how to verify instinct with a scientific approach. This was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Gaëlle Baudoux from Berkeley University.

The presentation venue drew a nice parallel with the talk's content: the Institute of Technology of Cambodia - សាលាតិចណូ building is a masterpiece of tropical modernism built by the Soviet Union in 1964. Still today, it is a buzzing and lush haven for over 3,000 students and one of the best schools in the country.

25/11/2025

Approaching Authenticity: Refining An Expression Of Phnom Penh Culture

Our original mission was just to update the hotel interiors, however, to do this effectively, we understood that the buildings within the site required some unification. We saw the value in retaining the diversity of spaces, however identified a need to bring them together in a more cohesive way. A way we were able to smooth the transitions throughout the site was through an understated interior design that bridged the eras. To create this, we chose earthy colors to encourage stylistic harmony, repurposed existing furniture and sourced locally-crafted decorative elements of wood, rattan, and fabric.

Bloom’s contribution refined Plantation’s reputation as a restorative oasis in a diverse urban environment. However, we also wanted to strengthen its identity as a curated expression of Phnom Penh culture. Perhaps Plantation’s true authenticity lies in its representation of Phnom Penh’s adaptability.

PLANTATION HOTEL RENOVATION, PHNOM PENH, 2023

21/11/2025

A Philosophical Stance on Architectural Practice

Before initiating any architectural project, we must critically interrogate the necessity of new construction. Is there an alternative path—one focused on building less and maximizing the potential of existing structures and landscapes?

Our initial approach must prioritize reuse, adaptation, and preservation over demolition and replacement. This foundational question guides our pursuit: How can new architectural interventions deliver improvements to their environment while demanding the absolute minimal use of resources?

We acknowledge the undeniable truth: all construction inherently impacts the environment, regardless of its claimed "sustainability." Our work, particularly in developing contexts, involves balancing the essential need for development—providing populations with access to a better quality of life—with the imperative of environmental consciousness. Consequently, every new development must generate an added societal and ecological value that genuinely compensates for the inevitable environmental disruption it causes.

Beyond conceptual and technical expertise, the architectural profession is governed by a philosophical mandate. Much like the Hippocratic Oath guides a physician, a profound ethical commitment should govern the architect. Our core purpose at Bloom is to respect and regenerate our environment and bring genuine improvement to society. In Cambodia, this means actively seeking ways to mitigate the often-opportunistic demands of the real estate market rather than simply acquiescing to them. Leading with responsibility is a way to stand out, defining and achieving value that extends far beyond immediate gain.

16/11/2025

Preserving Our Past, Building Our Future!

Last Friday, Bloom Architecture proudly hosted the launch event for the reprinted Phnom Penh Architecture Guide (KH), featuring a deeply insightful talk by author Walter Kodikek.
Kodikek addressed the critical challenge facing our city: the rapid loss of architectural memory. He stressed the importance of documentation to preserve the richness of our built environment, a crucial effort against the sweeping changes brought by fast developments.

This event was a purposeful gathering for architecture students and industry professionals. An active contributor to the creative community, bloom wish to facilitate cultural sharing that benefits the discipline and the general public. The fantastic turnout highlighted a dynamic crowd with an interest for meaningful intellectual dialogue.

16/11/2025

Lecture Announcement:
Bloom Architecture at STRATESA 2025, Phnom Penh

Join us for a special lecture on context-sensitive architecture and sustainability in Cambodia!

Antoine Meinnel principal of Bloom Architecture Phnom Penh will present "Cambodia in Bloom" for the STRATESA 2025 series.

• Topic: Strategies for Context-Sensitive Sustainability
• Date: Thursday, November 27th 11am - 11.35am
• Location: Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC)

A must-attend event for young professionals and students interested in the future of design in the region! See registration link below