PHARE COMMONS AND MUSEUM
Culture and Creative Hub for the Next Generation of Artists
A New Home for Phare Ponleu Selpak’s Story
Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPSA) has long stood as a testament to the power of art to heal, educate, and transform lives. Born from the resilience of young Cambodian refugees in Site 2 camp, Phare has grown into a vibrant arts institution that nurtures creativity, empowers youth, and shares Cambodia’s cultural richness with the world.
Now, we embark on a new journey — creating a gallery, museum, and collaborative space to honor our past and inspire the next generation of artists and changemakers.
Honoring a Powerful Legacy
In the 1980s, thousands of Cambodian children and youth were displaced by war and sought refuge in camps along the Thai border. Amid the hardship of Site 2, one of the largest refugee camps, art became a lifeline. Through drawing, young survivors processed trauma, reconnected with their identity, and found hope in a future beyond conflict.
Under the guidance of French art teacher Véronique Decrop, these early artworks became powerful expressions of resilience. Many were later preserved through Phare France Marseille, which acquired around 200 original framed drawings and paintings created during this time.
Today, these irreplaceable pieces serve as a historical archive of survival, creativity, and human strength. In a groundbreaking initiative, this collection will be entrusted to Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang, provided a dedicated museum and gallery space is built to house and protect it for future generations.
Key Aspects of Phare Commons and Museum
More than just a museum or gallery, this new space will be a thriving, dynamic environment for learning, creation, and collaboration. Designed to blend past, present, and future, the building will provide the following:
A Museum & Gallery Space
At the heart of the Phare Commons will be the museum, showcasing the Light and Shadow Exhibition, the original artworks created by displaced children, telling powerful stories of survival and resilience. Visitors will then explore The Phare Story, tracing its journey from refugee camp art classes to a globally recognized arts institution through archival photos, personal testimonies, and historical artifacts.
The museum will also be a space for interaction and discovery, featuring immersive exhibits where visitors can engage with Phare’s artistic heritage—experimenting with traditional techniques, exploring multimedia installations, or listening to former refugee artists share their experiences.
In addition, Rotating Exhibitions will highlight contemporary works from Phare students, alumni, and Cambodia’s emerging artists, bridging generations and showcasing the country’s evolving creative landscape.
A Central Hub for Collaboration
The new space will foster creativity and teamwork with Shared Workspaces, balancing open areas for collaboration with private spaces for focused work. Meeting & Discussion Rooms will provide a dedicated environment for teachers, artists, and visiting professionals to develop ideas and projects.
The Event Space, designed to host 20 to 40 visitors, will serve as a dynamic venue for workshops, community projects, and cultural events, bringing together students, professionals, and the public to celebrate art, education, and collaboration.
Library
The Library & IT Lab will serve as a modern resource center, offering students and staff access to books, research materials, and digital tools. Designed to foster learning, creativity, and innovation, this space will provide a quiet environment for study while also encouraging exploration through technology. Whether delving into art history, developing new skills, or collaborating on creative projects, students will have the resources they need to expand their knowledge and bring their ideas to life.
The Canteen
As part of its commitment to student well-being, the Phare Ponleu Selpak canteen is being redesigned to provide better nutrition, improved facilities, and a more welcoming space. The new canteen will feature expanded infrastructure, including a larger kitchen, dedicated handwashing areas, and improved dining facilities to accommodate the growing number of students. A crucial part of this initiative is nutritional education, with training sessions for cooks and parents on balanced meals, food origins, and sustainable practices. In additon to ensuring 180 of the most vulnerable enable get the need nutrition for healthy development, the new canteen will make the nutritional lunch program accessible to 700 children in the Phare Public school.
Sustainable and Innovative Architectural Vision
Designed by Martin Duplantier Architects, the new Phare Gallery and Collaboration Space embodies a harmonious blend of sustainability, functionality, and cultural identity. Elevated on small pilotis (60 cm), the structures allow natural drainage, minimizing the impact of Cambodia’s heavy rains. The six interconnected buildings, linked by a bamboo bridge and open-air corridors, create fluid movement across the campus while enhancing ventilation and offering scenic views.
One of the biggest challenges in designing this space is adapting to Cambodia’s climate, particularly heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. The project is carefully designed to be environmentally responsible while maximizing functionality and comfort.
A double roof system provides shaded outdoor spaces, reducing indoor heat and energy consumption. Locally sourced bamboo, rammed earth, and adobe bricks ensure natural cooling and insulation, while bamboo shutters shield the interiors from harsh sunlight, and large metal roofing offers protection from the monsoon. This thoughtfully designed space reflects Phare’s vision: open, interconnected, and deeply rooted in Cambodia’s landscape and traditions.
The existing CDC building, which has been a key part of PPS’s history, will be transformed into the museum, preserving its place as a landmark on campus while integrating it into the new development.
A Place for Everyone
This new home for Phare Ponleu Selpak’s legacy is more than just a building—it is a commitment to memory, creativity, and education. It will provide a space where:
- Students can connect with Phare’s history while developing their artistic paths.
- Staff and educators can collaborate and create new opportunities for young artists.
- Visitors can experience the profound impact of PPS, understand its roots, and support its future.
Join Us in Making This Vision a Reality
By supporting this project, you help preserve a vital piece of Cambodia’s history and ensure that the next generation of artists, educators, and creative thinkers have a space to grow, collaborate, and share their talents with the world.
Whether through donations, partnerships, or simply sharing our story, every contribution helps build a space that reveres the past while shaping the future.
Want to get involved? Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about how you can support this initiative.