On 19 September 2024, the Build4People Work Package “Sustainable Building” led by the Technical School of Applied Sciences Lübeck conducted a Science Workshop at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
This Science Workshop was jointly prepared by the Build4People Work Package “Sustainable Building” members Prof. Dr. Dirk Schwede and Christina Karagianni, both from Technical School of Applied Sciences Lübeck and by Prof. Dr. Virak Han, Dean of Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
Key Themes:
- Sustainability in Urban Design: The workshop highlighted the importance of integrating sustainable building practices, focusing on reducing energy demand, improving air quality, and using renewable energy in urban residential typologies.
- Student Participation: Students from ITC were heavily involved in practical projects, showcasing innovative designs for villas, high-rise buildings, and shophouses with sustainability at the core.
- Cutural Adaptation: The shophouse, a prominent building type in Cambodia, was reimagined with modern sustainable features, blending traditional design with contemporary ecological needs.
The workshop started with a brief welcome and outline of the day’s schedule, emphasizing the importance of sustainable buildings in the Cambodian context by Prof. Dirk Schwede (WP#2 Leader), followed by an overview of WP#2 activities and insights on building design and environmental challenges in Cambodia’s building sector by Christina Karagianni (WP#2 research associate).
Prof. Dr. Tep Makathy, Dean of Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (FAUP-PUC) and General Director of the Cambodian Institute of Urban Studies (CIUS) gave an overview of the EcoCity Transition Lab activities in 2023 and 2024, with a focus on sustainable neighborhood development in Phnom Penh. He described the ECTL as a collaborative platform aimed at fostering sustainable urban transformation. Through transdisciplinary workshops and stakeholder engagement, the lab has been instrumental in developing strategies for sustainable neighborhoods.
Next, WP#2 team took the stage to discuss the general approaches of WP#2’s strategies in the ECTL for 2023 and 2024. They outlined how sustainable building concepts were integrated into the lab’s activities. Their presentation touched on key approaches, such as improving energy efficiency in buildings, reducing the environmental footprint of construction materials, and adapting design strategies to Cambodia’s climate and cultural context. They emphasized the importance of using local knowledge and practices while leveraging modern sustainable technologies.
The focus then shifted to student work, beginning with a presentation on the villa typology in the Borey Peng Huoth development from ECTL 2023. This work, presented by ITC students, examined how villas—a popular residential option—could be adapted to sustainable practices. The students proposed innovative designs that incorporated renewable energy solutions and optimized natural lighting and ventilation, aiming to reduce energy consumption and enhance the overall sustainability of such developments.
The results were presented to the plenary, where each team outlined their approach to sustainable building, focusing on balancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
The workshop ended with closing remarks from Prof. Dirk Schwede, who reiterated the importance of ongoing research, collaboration, and education in driving sustainable urban development in Cambodia. His remarks underscored the workshop’s role in fostering innovative thinking and practical solutions for the country’s future.
This event successfully brought together academic, research, and student communities to explore sustainable solutions for Cambodia’s urban future, with a focus on the critical role of building design in achieving these goals.
The Build4People “Sustainable Building” team would like would like to sincerely thank all the participants for their dedicated support and valuable contributions to the vibrant discussions and to the fruitful group work. We would also like to thank our colleagues at ITC, Prof Dr Virak Han and Venh Lay Ou for their organisational support. And finally, we are thankful for Mr Tony Socheat, founder of Kambujaya property development, for his active participation and support to the students.