the house of darryl

An Aussie friend of ours, Darryl - author of a comprehensive insight on Cambodian architecture through his newly-published book, gave me a tour of his extraordinary house - an 80-year old Sino-Khmer house which he found on an island on the Mekong River in Kompong Cham province.

He bought the house and moved it, plank by plank from the river to an arduous journey by road to Siem Reap, around 200 kms away. To maintain the spirit of the house's environment, he moved it to a lot beside a stream, just as he found the house on the river.


The original house on stilts with additional structures for living space for his staff


The area below is an airy, open space


A showcase of antiques Darryl has accumulated trough the years


The main entry way


Lamps around the house exterior


This is one of the two bedrooms. The sunlight streaming in the wooden planks of the wall makes it achingly dramatic!


Detail of an art-deco cabinet he found in Phnom Penh


A nook leading to the kitchen


Part of the dining area


With the original structure built only using joints and wood pegs, nails and modern building techniques were used minimally. Additional structures were added, but done with the same spirit as the house to provide modern living conveniences such as an enclosed airconditioned room/office, kitchen and sleeping quarters for the staff. He also has another storage space antique furnishings which are not in use.

I don't mind at all living in a home like this...