Cultural narrative

An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about cultural narrative

Project • By The Room Architecture and Design • Restaurants

Siena Italian Restaurant

Siena Italian Restaurant takes its name and inspiration from the historic Italian city of Siena, translating medieval character into a contemporary hospitality environment within Phnom Penh's modern skyline. Positioned within a business‑focused tower that hosts Ascott's traveler accommodations, the restaurant is designed to serve a dual audience. It supports business travelers seeking a refined dining experience and corporate clients requiring a flexible venue for professional gatherings.   Operational flexibility and atmosphere The interior design balances heritage references with the operational demands of a restaurant serving both daily dining and professional gatherings. Soft, indirect lighting and an understated color palet... More

Project • By Ismael Medina Manzano • Apartments

UNPLANNED DOMESTIC PROTOYPE (PROT/USRBL/SE08)

Unplanned Domestic Prototype [PROT/USRBL/SE08] critically explores the transformative potential of a 60 m² apartment in a building constructed in 1966, as part of Spain's post-war 1959 Stabilization Plan. This plan prioritized minimal, standardized, compartmentalized housing to optimize “efficiency,” adhering to the nuclear family model. These apartments, marked by rigid, fixed spaces, reflected the ideals of the time, but the design is now limiting in the context of modern domestic needs. Hiperfocal Hiperfocal In response, Unplanned Domestic Prototype [PROT/USRBL/SE08] challenges these standardized principles and reimagines how living spaces in the 21st century can evolve. The project transforms the apartment in... More

Project • By The Room Architecture and Design • Restaurants

Khéma Restaurant Flatiron

The design for Khéma Flatiron, located on the 27th and 28th floors of the Flatiron by Meridian building, represents a strategic evolution for one of Phnom Penh’s most established hospitality brands. Partnering with Meridian International Holdings and Thalias Hospitality Group, The Room Architecture and Design was tasked with translating the intimate, home-like ambiance of the original Khéma locations into a high-rise setting tailored to a fast-paced international business district. Robert Kleiner Strategic brand continuityThe primary challenge was to maintain brand recognition while updating the aesthetic for a contemporary mixed-use tower. To achieve this, the design incorporates signature elements from Khé... More