Vann Molyvann

Vann Molyvann ( born November 23, 1926) is a Cambodian architect who significantly influenced the appearance of the capital Phnom Penh in the 1950s to 70s.

Life

After gaining independence in 1952 King Sihanouk wanted to convert his capital into a new metropolis. To this end, he called young Khmer architects such as Vann Molyvann, who had studied in Paris under Le Corbusier. He was in 1956 appointed by the King to the national architects.

Molyvann developed along with other Cambodian architect his own style, which can be described as a mixture of Bauhaus, post - modernism and the tradition of Angkor.

While the red terror of the Khmer Rouge, he fled into exile in Switzerland and only returned in the 1990s, and then held for a while the post of Minister of Culture.

Building (selection)

• National Theatre (2008 demolished)
• House of Prime
• Olympic Stadium Phnom Penh
• Independence Monument