Building with Light,
Air and Water

The Gong is a circular building. The highest point of the terrain was raised by two meters. On a platform, the building rises visibly, elevated and protected against floods. The round shape receives the wind, allowing it to glide along the facade without resistance. Recently, a bamboo forest has begun to grow around the building, providing future protection. During the rainy season, rainwater is directed from the roof to the centre of the building, where it is collected like in an impluvium. As The Gong is elevated, the collected water can be channeled to a dedicated reservoir. The water stored is used in the farms on-site during dry season.

Falling rain creates a dynamic water sculpture. Sunlight through the roof opening forms a cone of light. The atmosphere within the space is shaped by nature, evolving with the season and time of day. From this central sensory experience, a circular building structure unfolds.
The outer shell, relieved from its structural function, is a circumferential wall made of a perforated brick pattern, creating a play of light and shadow that accompanies visitors as they explore the building. The bricks are laid in a certain rhythm that creates a dynamic, spiraling pattern.

The curved facade minimizes the surface exposed to the tropical sun as well. This wall acts as a protective filter against sun and rain, naturally regulating temperature and ventilation within. In addition to the exterior wall, the main (north) entrance and the secondary (southeast and west) entrances allow a better cross ventilation.
Above a continuous polished concrete floor, the roof sits like a large hat on 36 columns. The roof structure consists of steel truss with a 14 meters span that repeats itself on 18 axes, unfolding its circular shape. Painted red, the structure is in dialogue with the colour of the bricks. Construction materials like concrete, steel and bricks have proven effective on-site. They are suitable to Cambodia’s hot and humid climate, durable and easy to maintain.
Functions are organised according to The Gong’s orientation. On the north side, the building opens up to welcome visitors under the large roof where the reception with an office and café are located.
On the west side, the recording studios are nestled within the curves of an introverted volume. Built with reinforced concrete cavity walls and separated from each other, sound transmission between the studios is prevented. Each studio features acoustic walls that emulate the properties of wooden musical instruments: absorbing, reflecting or enhancing sounds. These acoustic walls were meticulously crafted with local rubber wood, by Smiling Gecko’s campus carpentry workshop. The studios and storage areas are air-conditioned to protect instruments from humidity.
On the east side, an auditorium with approximately 100 seats unfolds, enclosed by curved brick walls without separating it from the rest of the building. The stage is positioned towards the centre of the building, with audience stands lean against the outer wall. The auditorium takes advantage of the volume created by the roof to foster a generous feeling of space and benefits from natural ventilation. From the sky, the shape of the instrument that gave the building its name reveals its form. The building celebrates cultures through the frozen image of concentric vibrations spread when a gong is struck. It embodies a place for gatherings around music, education and architectural artistry.

The Project in Numbers

• Construction period : 2023 – 2024

• Size : 40 meters diameter, 9.6 meters height

• Building materials : Concrete, steel structure, bricks, clay roof tiles

• Studio materials : Rubber tree wood and construction wood

• Architecture : atelier oï (planning and creative management)

• Acoustics : Applied Acoustics

• Studio technology : Department of Noise

• Food service planner : Gastro-Online AG

• Specialized planners and Contractors : RKC Engineering and Construction, Cambodia

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