Exclusive Interview with Mr. San Chanritthy: Synergy in Design & Development: A Forum for Innovation

On March 29, 2025, Mekarcube Construction organized Synergy in Design & Development: A Forum for Innovation, which brought together professionals, industry leaders, architects, developers, project managers, contractors, and investors to explore new opportunities, exchange knowledge, and discuss strategies that will shape Cambodia’s economy over the next five years.

b. Consulting was honored to have our CEO invited to this forum, and the following day, we had the privilege of interviewing Mr. San Chanritthy, a professional architect, Managing Director of Mekarcube Construction, a registered member of the Board of Architects Cambodia, and a key figure in the Architects Association of Cambodia. He shared his insights from the forum and his perspectives on Cambodia’s construction sector from innovation in construction to eco-tourism development and the Silver Age sector. Let’s dive in!

1. During the forum, several workshops were held on key themes. What were some of the main proposals that emerged?

 “For the forum we organized last week, we prepared five topics for discussion. Among these five topics, three were discussed:

The first topic was on Education, where one group highlighted it as an opportunity to enhance modern educational facilities. For example, improving laboratories or libraries in public schools to make it easier for students to conduct research.

Second, developing healthcare centers. Having good healthcare centers can drive development in the construction sector and make the healthcare industry more modern in our country. It helps reduce the need to travel to neighboring countries for health service as well. 

The third topic focused on public infrastructure, particularly traffic congestion in the city. They noted that Phnom Penh is facing significant challenges with traffic congestion. That is why it is necessary to invest in projects that can address the current needs."

2. The forum also addressed the Silver Age industry in Cambodia. What steps are needed to develop services around this growing sector?

"As we all acknowledge, our country still maintains a traditional living culture, where multiple generations, grandparents, parents, and children live closely together and support one another. It is not easy; we need to shift our mindset and adapt our living culture. But if we look at a smaller scale, a Silver Age Care Center could provide dedicated care for the elderly. It is different from living at home because it has sufficient facilities, doctors, nurses, and provides urgent support."

3. Collaboration was a key theme of the forum. How essential is collaboration for driving innovation in Cambodia’s construction industry, and how does Mekarcube contribute to this effort? 

"For this question, I think it’s simple, as one quote emphasizes: 'If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to go far, go as a team.' No matter how creative we are, when we are faced with a lack of resources or technical challenges, collaboration will be the solution as everyone has different skills. In our construction sector, collaboration can vary between companies within companies, between private companies, or with the public sector or international partners. 

For example, a real estate company can collaborate with a construction company to build schools or hospitals because in a residential development, there is a need for healthcare services and schools for their children. So, if we depend on only one team, let’s say one team lacks resources while another doesn’t have a plan yet, and the real estate company only builds houses, the solution may be limited. But if they collaborate, one can rent the land, the other can build, and together they will have a better solution."

4. You are currently working with b. Consulting on the development of an eco-tourism project in Kampong Speu. How do you see the tourism and construction industries evolving in the coming months?

 "In recent years, we see that young people in Cambodia have shown a growing interest in travel, especially in adventure, hiking, and nature-based tourism. Given that Cambodia relies heavily on the tourism sector, it is essential to expand beyond temple visits and encourage tourists to explore other attractions. I have also discussed a lot about how to extend the duration of their stay and diversify tourism experiences.

So, eco-tourism is a key area of focus. As someone in the construction sector, I see the importance of integrating sustainable infrastructure into tourism development. I take pride in contributing to such projects and actively participating in their growth.  And I am excited to be a part of this project.”

5. Looking ahead, what is your thought for Cambodia’s construction industry, and what role will innovation play in shaping it?

The construction sector is evolving rapidly, driven by demand, as we often see investments from countries like Korea, China, and Singapore. We must adapt to these shifts and prepare for large-scale investments.

For Cambodia’s construction, I see that we are becoming more mature and resilient in adapting to the fast changes in the construction sector. We can rely on both local resources, and if we have access to external resources, it is also beneficial. 

For Innovation, it is mostly led by investors, I mean it is necessary to be driven by both the investors and architects. Innovation isn’t just for simple projects or modular designs, it requires leadership. As architects, we follow the plan, but I want to emphasize that innovation is everywhere, like from developed countries that we can search and learn from them so we don’t waste much time on it, and we can learn from it.  Thank you."

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This concludes our insightful conversation with Mr. San Chanritthy. His vision for Cambodia’s construction industry reflects the forward-thinking approach needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We thank him for sharing his valuable insights and look forward to seeing his continued contributions to the sector.