Michiels & Partners (MAP) were selected by The Cambodia Project, Inc., a Non-Profit organization based in New York City, to design its first of a series of secondary schools in Cambodia. The two hectares secondary school campus is designed to be built in the rural parts of Cambodia, Asia and is inspired by its context. MAP traveled to Cambodia for a month to survey the groundwork for the school.

MAPs findings lead to the guidance of many design features. A collection system captures rainwater from the roofs of buildings and channels it through gutters and other pipes into cisterns. The water is then used for irrigation, laundry and hygiene. This method does not employ pumps or other moving parts, relying instead on gravity to transfer water.

With high temperatures averaging 32°C all year round and humidity levels at a sticky 80-90%, there was a need to provide comfortable room temperatures to optimize student’s physical comfort while attending class. Natural cross-ventilation was incorporated by strategically location wall openings, greenery in each classroom and creating green roofs that will absorb heat, decreasing the tendency towards thermal air movement, and filter the air moving across it.

Solar panels, which can rely upon a sun exposure of nearly 365 days per year, will provide power for night class sessions, laptop usage and lodging facilities for visiting teachers.

The intense tropical rain environment raised a need for rainwater management to prevent flooding. The design response was to elevate the school off the ground and drain rainwater from roofs through tactically placed gutters and downspouts down to cisterns and water discharge canals.

Located in Kampot, Cambodia