Bloom Structure makes use of handmade cement blocks to brighten Cambodian homes

Handmade blocks made from gray and pink cement outline the facades of Small Homes, a set of properties that Cambodian studio Bloom Structure created as a “haven” from the bustling streets of Phnom Penh.

Situated in a compact city space in a historic a part of the Cambodian capital, the properties are accessed by a slender alleyway measuring simply 60 centimetres in width.

In line with Bloom Structure, which additionally has studios in Paris, they take cues from adjoining properties and are designed to align with the world’s village-like scale.

Bloom Structure has created three homes in Phnom Penh

“Solely accessible by foot via a slender alleyway, the village on the finish of it’s significantly dense,” mentioned Bloom Structure.

“[This left] us the problem of discovering the appropriate stability between establishing our personal inventive identification whereas nonetheless sustaining a respect for the encircling context,” the studio continued.

“The form of the homes was impressed by the preexisting vernacular wood Cambodian homes sitting there.”

Doorway in a perforated cement block house by Bloom Architecture — Handmade cement blocks create ornamental facades

Described by Bloom Structure as a “haven”, Small Homes was created for a neighborhood of designers, their kids and their pets.

They’re cloaked in a facade of tactile cement blocks and tropical greenery, which the studio added is meant to “seem like archaeological stays of what existed there earlier than”.

Plant-covered home made from perforated cement blocks by Bloom Architecture — There’s a mixture of gray and pink blocks

“The craftsmanship of this materials offered the appropriate stability between sturdiness and aesthetic,” defined Bloom Structure.

“It is sort of a material that protects the households from the solar and offers the correct amount of privateness and thermal safety.”

The compact properties are unfold throughout 4 storeys, with dwelling areas on the bottom ground and a combination of bedrooms and work areas throughout the higher ranges.

Inside every residence, a double-layered facade of cement blocks and glazing offers mild, air and privateness to the dwelling areas.

Internal dining area with perforated cement block walls letting in daylight — Glazing behind the blocks creates a double-layered facade

Additional up the constructing, irregular openings and bay home windows are used to border views over the encircling neighbourhood.

The roof of Small Homes is topped with a shared outside terrace, that includes verdant planted edges, a white cover and clay-tiled partitions and flooring. Right here, rooftop communal laundry amenities additionally create alternatives for residents to satisfy one another.

Oriel window with a seat on a perforated cement block building — Verdant planting covers the highest storeys of the constructing

“A way of belonging can also be necessary for each the newcomer households and the prevailing neighborhood,” defined the studio.

“The roof terrace is with out partition and shared between the households, enhancing area for connections and celebrations.”

Double-height kitchen and dining room with a mezzanine — Every house is unfold throughout 4 flooring

Bloom Structure was based in 2015 by Antoine Meinnel. Its Small Homes challenge has been longlisted within the housing class of the Dezeen Awards for 2023.

The studio additionally lately accomplished Takhmau Boarding College, an academic facility with a bamboo exterior, which is longlisted within the Dezeen Awards within the schooling challenge class.

Different buildings with facades made from ornamental blocks embody Kontum Home by Khuôn Studio in Vietnam and a scholar bathe block in Shanghai by Wuyang Structure.

The images is by Oki Hiroyuki.