Location: Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Architect: White Matter Design Studio.

Crystalville is a 43-hectare masterplan located near Sihanoukville International Airport and a bus ride away from Phnom Penh. It is a one-stop recreational destination that maximizes land use and interaction with the natural beauty of Sihanoukville’s white sand beaches and mangrove swamps. The development is located at the edge of Ream National Park, a nature reserve filled with hiking trails, mangrove swamps, and islands accessible in a guided tour. Crystalville serves as a gateway to the castaway southern islands. The concept of Crystalville takes cue from its surroundings, with each accommodation crafted to immerse in natural beauty. Large villas with jacuzzi and private pools dot the beachside, modern compact villas with private pools and cabanas pepper the mangrove swamps, interconnected by boardwalks. A shopping mall and convention centre support and entertain residents and guests with retail, restaurants, and a casino. A theme park and integrated resort with a marina complete this resort town. Hotels and residences surround the manmade Crystal Lagoon, which ties all the elements together. The site is car-free, and guests can exchange their cars for buggies. This pedestrian-friendly town promotes not only safety, but for guests to slow down and take in their surroundings. Crystalville is a development that brings back the qualities of relaxing by the beach, living by the calm and clear waters of the mangroves and dwelling by a lagoon. It is a new level of exquisite living in Cambodia by the sea.