The Tapestry

The Tapestry is a nature-centric garment production factory located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It reimagines the working environment in an otherwise harsh industrial setting, with inspiration from the weaving concept of traditional Khmer textiles. The facility features locally sourced ordinary bricks arranged in square patchwork patterns that transform the façade with lights and shadows. The highlight of the scheme is a series of brick facades that blends lush greenery and allows the building to breathe and to come alive.
Design Inspiration
The design concept is an inspiration from the Krama, a humble yet iconic garment of the Khmer tradition that holds a special place in the Cambodian culture. The scarf with squares symbolizes the patchwork of Khmer history with contrasting hues and representations. It is worn by peasants, soldiers and heroes in the past, and it has also served various purposes, from makeshift clothing to schoolbags and hammocks.
Cultural Response
The facade design incorporates a patchwork pattern that alternates between squares of brickwork and openings filled with lush natural greenery. The arrangement gently reflects the cultural significance of the traditional Khmer garment, creating a pattern that is harmonious with the architecture and nature. This simple order reflects the resilient strength of the people and their delicate heritage. It is with this integration of the local cultural elements that the spaces aim to foster a sense of familiarity and belonging among the workers.
Sustainability Features
The architectural concept adopts a passive design approach to address the environmental issues. The porous brick facade facilitates the flow of natural wind and filters the daylight to the interior. The optimization of natural lighting reduces dependence on artificial lighting, while natural ventilation minimizes the need for mechanical air conditioning. In the long term, such initiatives cut down on maintenance costs and utility fees.
Connection to Nature
Greenery in this project is not an afterthought but a key factor that is integrated into the overall planning right from the start. The project aims to humanize an undesirable workspace through the integration of greenery in the facade. In addition, the bricks and green spaces form a simple yet elegant pattern reminiscent of square quilt patchwork. This eco-conscious approach is inviting and beneficial to the occupants. It has a strong eco-centric identity that all users could relate to and be proud of.
Local Resources
The construction of the factory utilised products and raw materials readily available in Cambodia. This direction reduced the fundamental carbon footprint that resulted during the construction process. It demonstrates how the low-cost bricks could also create wonders out of an arrangement of the bricks' laying process. The use of local materials also ensures upkeep of the building could be continued easily without the external source.
New Typology for Industrial Space
The Tapestry exemplifies how industrial spaces can be redefined through a sustainable design approach. By merging brick walls with nature, it creates a workspace that is both functional and inspiring, providing a new possibility for environmentally conscious design in the industrial sector. The brickwork serves its function via passive design strategies to enable natural ventilation, daylighting, and heat buffering. This generous integration of greenery benefits office users by improving the air quality, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.