Lu Ban Hap, who modernised Cambodia, passes away at 92

Torn Vibol / Khmer Times

The legendary architect Lu Ban Hap

Lu Ban Hap, the iconic architect who brought an urban outlook to Cambodia and its capital Phnom Penh, breathed his last at the age of 92 in France yesterday.

Virak Varany, Head of Khmer Journey Research Institute, said  yesterday that he received the news
of Lu Ban Hap’s sad demise from his niece Meas Manda.

Secretary of State at the Ministry of Land Management Ly Rasmey expressed his regret on receiving the news of Ban Hap’s passing away in France.

Rasmey said, “This is a great loss to the nation. He left behind a great legacy of architectural works for the next generation.”

He noted, “I think Cambodian architects will learn more about his works after his sad demise.”

He added that Ban Hap, who was born in 1931 in Kampong Cham province, and Vann Molyvann, another influential architect during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum era, both studied architecture in France and went on to change the face of Cambodia which earned both the title “Father of Phnom Penh”.

 

Ban Hap brought a brand new ‘look to the nation’ after gaining independence from France in 1953.

Following independence, Cambodia ushered in the Sangkum Reastr Niyum period under the leadership of Prince Norodom Sihanouk.

Senate building, one of the many iconic buildings designed by him. Dap News

Iconic buildings like Cambodiana Hotel, Kantha Bopha Palace in Chamkar Mon Palace, Kandal Provincial Hall, Chenla Theatre, White Building, Tuol Svay Prey High School, Battambang Sports Centre, Royal University Building in Kampong Cham and Royal Palace building on Kirirom Mountain were designed and constructed during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum era under the guidance of Ban Hap.

Varany added that Prince Norodom Sihanouk issued a royal decree appointing the architect to establish the Department of Housing and Design of Phnom Penh City Hall, with Governor Tep Phan giving full freedom to modernise and develop the city in 1960.

“Along with 12 staff, he managed every thing from design to waste management, in order to urbanise the country. The old Phnom Penh, the heart of the nation, underwent a sea change under him.”

One of his most famous historical buildings in Phnom Penh is the
White Building. Ban Hap designed it along with a Ukrainian engineer in 1963. His architectural wonders had won admiration from leaders around the world.