Zen is the flagship store for a mattress and bedding brand in Phnom Penh, designed to create a calm and intimate atmosphere — a contrast to the busy road outside. The store is integrated into three adjoining shophouses that had seen various piecemeal alterations, leaving the building feeling disconnected.
The store combines stucco and exposed concrete with warm timbers. Key walls have been placed to define spaces and add moments of privacy, allowing customers to feel comfortable. A key feature is the Zen Lab, where customers can test products before purchasing, anchored by a table with a cushion-like countertop beneath a large floating lightbox.
The new façade serves as a barrier to the noisy environment, creating a calm interior while providing shade. The semi-opaque mesh imparts order without completely concealing the building, revealing some of its original features.
Project teamChhiv Inh Chao, Chinheab Ngor, Kanika Sok, Mouysuong Tang, Tobias Griffiths