The participants of this year’s A Cambodia Journey toured Arc Hub PNH, the first business to provide 3D Printing Solutions in Cambodia. Khmerican spoke to ARC Hub PNH’s Khmer-American owner, Ki Chong Tran, about Cambodia’s most gifted and visionary architect Mr. Vann Molyvann, the father of New Khmer Architecture.
“The Khmer hero that comes to mind is Vann Molyvann, the architect. I like people that are world class in what they do. Molyvann’s not just the best for Cambodia, he’s recognized around the world for being good at what he does. I believe that’s extremely important because so many times people say, “oh he’s pretty good,” but they really mean he’s good for being in Cambodia. He’s pretty good for a Cambodian. I think people should try to hold up to a global standard. Vann Molyvann’s one of the few that’s done that. He’s really so good, that he’s recognized everywhere. He’s just good at what he does (period).
That’s how I feel about our team here. Juan, he’s a Cambodian designer, and he’s been with us for a year. He’s just good at what he does and it doesn’t matter that we’re in Cambodia. If I was in America and I needed a team, I would want to hire him anyway. If he was black and I was white and we were in Mexico, I would still want to hire him and be his friend. I think that’s how it should be. It will take a while, but that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Ki Chong Tran, 28
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
archubpnh.com
Photo by Makara Thach Sernett
Interview by Lauren Imbrock
