Pacific Geographies (Nov 2017)
New Khmer Architecture: Iconic vernacular buildings under threat?
Abstract
New Khmer Architecture (NKA) is an architecture style from Cambodia combining modernism with elements of traditional Khmer culture thereby incorporating aspects of vernacular design. It became prominent after King Norodom Sihanouk declared Cambodia's independence in 1953. The New Khmer architecture movement created highly innovative and aesthetically pleasing pieces of architecture works and soon became an important tool of Cambodia’s nation-building. Nowadays some of the major works of NKA are still intact, but others suffer from neglect and are in danger of demolition.
