CONNEXION – CAMBODIA

RENOVATION/HYBRID/MULTI-PURPOSE • COMPLETED • 2024

PROJECT: CONNEXION

CLIENT: OCIC

COLLABORATION: Alexis De Suremain (MAADS) 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bruce Vincentiis, TwoKeys Media and Chan Vutha

T3 and Kanopéa were consulted to rethink the way to occupy and rehabilitate a Shopping Mall whose concrete structure was built before being abandoned in its current state. The building represents approximately 45,000m² spread over nine levels (including two underground) in reinforced concrete, with a large accessible rooftop terrace on the fourth floor. Rather than letting this massive structure remain a symbol of unfinished development, the project aims to transform it into a vibrant and inclusive place that serves the city of Phnom Penh.

Alongside Alexis, the project initiator, the architects envisioned a mixed-use program offering a multitude of functions designed to meet the diverse expectations of residents. The proposal includes shops, offices and coworking spaces, sports facilities (climbing, basketball, skate park…), restaurants, cinema, hotel, conference room, art gallery, circus (managed by an NGO), educational gardens for schools, spa, and wellness areas. The guiding idea was to avoid creating yet another glass-fronted, fully air-conditioned shopping center, and instead propose a bioclimatic and biophilic architecture: non-air-conditioned circulation spaces, natural ventilation, generous sun protection, and planters at every floor to cultivate tropical species. These green curtains help cool the air, provide natural shading, and bring daily contact with nature for users.

Consistent with T3 Architects’ philosophy, the design embraces the principle of “doing more with less.” The structure is deliberately kept “raw” to save resources and preserve the budget for what truly matters: durable materials, functional equipment, and abundant vegetation. By combining frugality with creativity, the project demonstrates how existing buildings can be reimagined to minimize waste and environmental impact while maximizing social value.

CONNEXION aspires to become a pioneering hybrid building in Southeast Asia — a model of urban centrality that brings together commerce, culture, leisure, and well-being for all generations. More than just an architectural project, it embodies T3’s mission of crafting spaces that respect the planet, celebrate culture, and foster human connection