Cultural and commercial center in Taungdwingyi - Meriem Chabani - France

Creation of public facility with cultural and commercial components – cinema, covered markets, exhibit spaces, multipurpose rooms, offices, café, media library, a public promenade

This new public facility is located in Taungdwingyi, a rural municipality in central Myanmar. A building housing diverse but complementary cultural and commercial programs – cinema, covered markets, café, exhibit space, and multipurpose rooms.

The project arose from the desire of a group of local investors looking to give back to the community that contributed to their success. Designed through a series of on-site workshops with local engineers, contractors, and inhabitants, the center makes use of regional construction methods and materials in its adobe brick walls and wood finishes. The building also serves as a public promenade: a small plaza indicates the main entrance, while an open-air stairway wraps around and through the center’s upper floors, providing glimpses into the building’s interior, as well as unobstructed views out over the site.