The Sothearos

​The Sothearos will be a landmark, best-in-class residential tower in Phnom Penh.

The Sothearos is a new, 56-story luxury residential project in Phnom Penh. The project will include 224 unique apartments with expansive views of the Mekong River and the city skyline. Many of the apartments will have views both east and west from the same Great Room for both sunrise and sunset views.

We treat the design of residential buildings as an art form. How the building looks, how it works, and the emotional connection it establishes with its residents is the artwork. Our goal is to create a place with timeless architectural character, while creating spaces for residents that are beautiful, highly functional, and one-of-a-kind. We also believe buildings should be rooted in the culture of a place, forward-looking while respecting history and context. The wonderful art and architecture of the Khmer people provided us with ample inspiration. As we began to study the rich culture of Cambodia, we also began to understand the importance of a symbiosis with nature and the natural world. A new building of such prominence should not only reflect the culture, but also embrace nature in both a figurative and literal manner.

From each of these elements - art and architecture, nature and the vibrant countryside - we worked to create an architecture that celebrates Cambodia.

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The Apsaras

The Apsaras

Our design for The Sothearos was derived from an investigation of Khmer culture as much as from nature. We felt that this site required a response that was forceful without being overtly masculine. The “evocative curves” of the Khmer Apsara dancers served as inspiration for the shaping of tower, in particular the intricate hand movements and gestures - studied, exacting, beautiful.

The Sothearos is designed to stand out as a beautiful form on the skyline of Phnom Penh, recognizable by both the evocative shaping of the tower and the gentle curve of the building’s crown.

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The arrival experience begins with a waterfall that breaks through the canopy and into the gardens that surround the space.

Crossing over this stream on a wooden footbridge, residents enter into the modern lobby space, shaped by an undulating wall of glass. The flow of water is evident in the rolling screens that provide texture and privacy.

Units have also been planned to flow gracefully.

Layouts were designed for the modern lifestyle—open floor plans to accommodate both entertaining and family life, with just the right amount of privacy. We strove to turn a residential apartment into a real home and to capture the details of life in the details of the architecture. The thoughtful layouts maximize light and views while taking into consideration the requirements of art collectors by offering an abundance of wall space for hanging art.

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World Class Amenities

Perched high above the city, a residents’ lounge overlooks the pool deck and provides a stunning view of the river. The deck features outdoor dining and has continuity with the business center, spa, and fitness area via internal circulation. An Infinity-edge pool melds with the river below.

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The Infinity-edge pool melds with the river below, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

Penthouses and Terraces

The stunning penthouse views and wraparound deck will set a high bar for luxury in Southeast Asia. Penthouses will have 360-degree views with a private deck and private Infinity-edge pool.

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Scope

Design Architect Interior Designer

Project Team

Gary Handel, Malay Shah, Ashley Murphy, Akash Godbole, Benjamin Hayes, Maria Stanciu, Richard Karsten, YoungJoo Kim

Visualizations

Atchain