is a boutique architecture firm with offices in Phnom Penh and Paris.
We improve our environment by designing remarkable buildings that express the particularities of the local climate, ecology, materials and craftsmanship.
Inspired by contemporary culture, we create meaningful spaces for the generations that will use them, without losing sight of history.
ABOUT BLOOM
Founded in 2015 by Antoine Meinnel, Bloom Architecture is based in Phnom Penh and Paris. With a diverse team of 6 directors and more than 40 collaborators, our ethos has its origins in the rich encounter of European and Cambodian cultures.
In the same way that a traveler returns home with a fresh outlook, Bloom approaches each project with a deliberate perspective of otherness. This insight allows us to question norms and habits and develop a sensitive, contextual approach free from unhelpful preconceptions.
For Bloom, architecture is a means of expression - a dialogue with contemporary society that contributes to the making of a city. With an intentional sense of optimism, we have worked to transform the built environment for the better in over 25 architectural realizations.
The word Bloom invokes the potential for growth and beauty - in our team, our constructions, and in the wider culture. Challenges in each project become opportunities to unlock architectural potential, and through creativity, help us find new ways of improving the lives of the community.
Every intervention in the built environment reveals the values of its time, but should also remain adaptable to the inevitability of transformation. It is our responsibility to design for sustainable use over many generations, and our humble ambition to leave the world in a better state.
RECOGNITION
Takhmau Boarding School
DEZEEN Awards 2023_LONGLISTED
Small Houses
DEZEEN Awards 2023_LONGLISTED
x3 Property Guru Awards 2023_WINNER
Pizza 4P's BKK1:
INDE Awards 2023, Social Space_SHORTLISTED
Small Houses
INDE Award 2023, Multi Residential Building_SHORTLISTED
FCC Siem Reap:
Liv Hospitality Design Awards 2022, Historic & Heritage_WINNER
Liv Hospitality Design Awards 2022, Hotel Luxury_WINNER
The Bang Competition_2021 (Jury: Sir David Chipperfield) :
WINNING PROPOSAL
Atelier Kampot:
Architectural Review New into Old 2019_SHORLISTED
DEZEEN Awards 2019_LONGLISTED
Factory Phnom Penh:
DEZEEN Awards 2019_LONGLISTED
In Vino Veritas:
Meyer-Levy Prize 2013, Best architecture diploma in France
Trophée Béton 2012, Best architecture diploma using concrete
LECTURES
Pannasastra University, Phnom Penh
Cambodia Now
by Antoine Meinnel, guest critic
Southeast University, Nanjing, March 2019
Bloom
Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh, 2018
"Story Behind Architectural Housing"
Talk, Phnom Penh, Sep 2024
Cambodia in Bloom"
Reka Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Nov 2024
Cambodia in Bloom"
SoA+D School of Architecture and Design, Bangkok, Nov 2024
PUBLICATIONS
Architectural Guide Phnom Penh,
Moritz Henning / Walter koditek, DOM Publishers
Digital publication: FCC Siem Reap
Wallpaper / Forbes / Architectural Digest / DesignBoom
Digital publication: Factory Phnom Penh
DesignBoom / Lonely Planet ...
New Wave Khmer Architecture, Rooft
Digital publication: Atelier Kampot
Archdaily / DesignBoom / Retailblog ...
"Antoine Meinnel, abandonner les clichés sur l’architecture tropicale"
Cambodge Mag, 2019,
Chris van Uffelen "YOUNG VISIONARIES, The New Generation of Architects"
BRAUN PUBLISHING 06/2018 English, Hardcover, ISBN 978-3-03768-233-3
PARTNERS
Antoine MEINNEL (b.1987, France/Cambodia)
After graduating from Versailles National School of Architecture in 2011, Antoine Meinnel worked for Michel Desvigne in Paris, OMA / REM Koolhaas in Rotterdam and Herzog & de Meuron in Basel.
In 2015, he undertook a personal project to refurbish a heritage shophouse in Kampot, Cambodia. This experience illustrated the potential of architecture in the region, and was the catalyst for him to establish Bloom Architecture.
Now ten years into the growth of the company, Antoine continues to advocate for positive transformation of the built environment and the contribution of architecture to contemporary culture.
After completing his HMONP (Habilitation à la Maîtrise d’Ouvrage en son Nom Propre) at ENSA-Paris Malaquais in 2021, Antoine became a licensed architect in France and co-founded the French chapter of Bloom with his longtime collaborator, Antoine Contour.
Antoine CONTOUR (b. 1993, France)
Antoine Contour is a licensed architect who graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Belleville. During his studies, he worked at Graal Architecture on various public facilities in the Paris region, and at Lacaton & Vassal where he contributed to the design of a mixed-use tower in Geneva and the competition for the London Museum.
Freshly graduated, he flew to Cambodia, driven by a desire to discover tropical modernism. There, he worked for 6 years at Bloom Architecture as a project leader before returning to France to obtain his HMONP whilst working for UNIC Architecture in Marseille.
ASSOCIATES
Robin LEONARD
Paris
ITH Sovannarith
Phnom Penh
Théo NEUVILLE
Phnom Penh
Cristina TORAN
Phnom Penh
KONG Lim
Phnom Penh
HEN Darin
Phnom Penh
BAN Rithy
Phnom Penh
HENG Thanak
Phnom Penh
ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
ORNG Phala
LIV Peakleang
THAY Sinay
SIN Sokrany
SEA Somean
MARY Soklinda
MEAK Nakhim
NITH Naryrachana
CHAO Momdavy
SEA Becare
CHHENG Devid
SHU Xaki
LO Rothvisal
YOS Davith
TRY Sokchomroeun
MEAS Mengleang
KIEN Sopheaktra
CHHENG Chansinit
Margaux PROUVE
MAK Molirithiruth
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
PARTNER IN CONSTRUCTION
Bloom places the architect at the center of the construction process, leading a team of consultants dedicated to bringing the project from design to reality. We see construction as a collective act that fosters mutual recognition among all parties, from the workers to the contractors to the owners.
This level of commitment demands that we make time for open dialogue, allowing us to fully support each partner and realize their vision with care and precision.
A MULTICULTURAL TEAM
Bloom’s workplace celebrates how multicultural encounters enrich our understanding of contemporary life. Driven by curiosity and a thirst to discover new ideas, our team of local and international architects is the key to understanding a constantly-evolving world. Like in music, art, fashion, and language, our innovative designs are fueled by cultural diversity and dialogue.
ARCHITECTURE AT THE INTERFACE
The global discipline of architecture only becomes relevant when it interacts with the constantly-evolving particularities of local climate, materials, nature, and culture.
Bloom's focus is on building better at these localized interfaces through a rigorous, iterative process. Our designs are meticulously curated to create unique experiences, with a strong emphasis on detail and empathy towards the end user. Continuous learning and improvement from one project to the next help us reveal the true spirit of a place.
CLIMATE : Architecture should enhance comfort by effectively responding to the local climate, balancing the protection of inhabitants with principles of sustainability.
MATERIALS : Using locally sourced materials and craftsmanship not only supports the economy but also creates buildings that resonate with their environment and showcase unique textures and qualities.
NATURE : Integrating nature promotes health and well-being by creating spaces that sustain both human and ecological communities.
TIME : Designing with flexibility in mind allows buildings to evolve to changing needs over time, ensuring their longevity and continued relevance in a sustainable manner.
CULTURE : Architecture is a dialogue with contemporary culture, reflecting and enriching its values by creating spaces that meet current needs while inspiring growth and evolution.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
We see preservation not as a nostalgic pursuit but as an opportunity to unlock the potential for collective change. Our approach to adaptive reuse prioritizes preserving buildings with quality spaces, even if they lack traditional monumental value. These structures often embody significant memories of human endeavor, making it essential to preserve their history as we build for the future. The right program should be adapted to fit the existing structure, rather than forcing the structure to conform to new demands.
HOSPITALITY
Our hospitality projects embody a strong sense of time and place, intimately connecting them to their surroundings and the local cultural landscape. We incorporate a clear narrative early in the design process that ultimately leaves a lasting tactile and emotional imprint. Every property is a signature creation, offering owners a product they can be proud of while enhancing real estate value through positive perception and experience.
RESIDENTIAL
Residential design is about finding the perfect balance between aesthetics and comfort. We focus on crafting both the visible and the invisible, creating spaces that provoke welcome emotions for those who live within them. Through sophistication, elegance, and attention to detail, our designs instill the distinctive sense that everyday living is effortless.
EDUCATION AND CULTURE
We create inspirational spaces that recognize the profound impact our surroundings have on the transmission of knowledge to future generations. By incorporating greener environments, we elevate awareness of the role of nature in our lives. Our designs for educational and cultural spaces foster character and identity, providing communities with environments that inspire and shape their development.
WORKPLACES
Contemporary workplaces often double as living environments. Drawing from our expertise in hospitality, we design hybrid spaces that prioritize comfort in order to enhance productivity and creativity. Whether it is a home office or a large open-plan workspace, our design process is rooted in understanding the flexible nature of today’s work culture.
MASTERPLANNING
A masterplan provides the chance to establish a unified vision that takes into account geography, infrastructure, typologies, and climate. This holistic approach allows for space optimization and future growth while maintaining a high quality of living. We carefully consider how cities and landscapes will evolve, balancing the preservation of existing areas with the creation of new experiences to contribute to the city’s identity over time.
Bloom Architecture Co Ltd
(Cambodia)
is a limited company based in Phnom Penh providing architecture and engineering consultancy
Registered at Ministry of Commerce : 0000 7194
Registered a General department of Taxation : K 003 - 901 700 937
Design license from Ministry of Land Managment : 101 NSKB / 21SB
Managing Partner : Antoine MEINNEL
Bloom Architecture SAS
(France)
SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE
Registered at RCS PARIS : 919 709 014
Registered at the board of architect : S22870
President : Antoine MEINNEL
Directeur General : Antoine CONTOUR