Zen, Street 271

Zen, the flagship store for a mattress and bedding brand in Phnom Penh, has been designed to create a calm and intimate atmosphere—a contrast to the busy road outside.

The store is integrated into three adjoining shophouses that have seen various piecemeal alterations over the years, leaving the building feeling disconnected and lacking a clear language or style.

The store combines stucco and exposed concrete with warm timbers. The structure of the existing buildings creates a grid for the shop to be arranged around. Key walls have been placed to further define the spaces and add moments of privacy around the store, allowing customers to feel comfortable.

A key feature of the store is the Zen Lab, where customers can test products before making a purchase. The space is anchored by a table with a soft, cushion-like countertop, illuminated by a large floating lightbox.

The new facade serves as a barrier to the noisy, chaotic environment, creating a calm interior while also providing shade and reducing sunlight into the building. The semi-opaque mesh imparts order to the building without completely concealing it, revealing some of the existing building's original features.

Chhiv Inh Chao

Chinheab Ngor

Kanika Sok

Mouysuong Tang

Tobias Griffiths