Using His Edge

Hun Chansan, principal of lean, innovative practice Re-Edge Architecture + Design, is among the figures elevating Cambodia’s design scene to the next level.

- Diana Hubbell

Asia-Pacific has long been home to top-tier architecture and design firms, but for years, much of the talent remains concentrated in hubs like Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. Recent times, however, have seen the spotlight trained on Cambodia, as small, innovative design companies rack up well-deserved accolades.

Among the country’s rising stars is Hun Chansan, the founder and head of Re-Edge Architecture + Design. Since launching his firm in 2011, Chansan and his team have tackled projects ranging from luxury hotels to private homes to mixed-use developments with equal aplomb.

“The design scene in Cambodia is still relatively small, with only a handful of firms that keep producing work with bold statements, efficient use of space, and thoughtful design details,” Chansan says. Firms such as his are leaving a mark on the nation and helping to foster a nascent creative scene in the process. “As architecture continues to transform the physical environment here, the growth in the local artistic scene contributes to the well-rounded disciplinary projects that see artworks transforming the interior and exterior spaces as well.”

A flair for design is embedded in Chansan’s DNA. His youngest sister and brother-in-law are highly successful practicing architects in Singapore, while four of his cousins practice architecture and interior design around the region. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all accomplished photographers—the latter having made a name for himself as a street photographer after the fall of the Khmer Rouge. Through his lens, he captured the lingering trauma of a nation struggling to rebuild its identity.