Agence Française de Développement

Located on the 15th floor of Exchange Square in Phnom Penh's premier office district, the Agence Française de Développement office demonstrates how workplace design can balance operational efficiency with a contemporary working environment. The 390 m² interior accommodates a mix of leadership, project teams, and support staff, with additional capacity for visiting colleagues, across a layout that prioritizes both focus and collaboration. The design responds to the specific demands of international development work: spaces that support formal meetings with government and private-sector partners, and informal collaboration across project teams. Enclosed offices integrate acoustic desk dividers to maintain privacy without isolation, while dedicated meeting rooms of varying sizes provide space for formal gatherings, and modular lounge seating and co-working zones allow for adaptable use throughout the day. 

Material choices reinforce a calm, professional atmosphere suited to long-term occupancy. Engineered wood flooring in herringbone pattern, acoustic wood-wool panels, and timber veneer joinery create warmth without excess, while carpet tiles in enclosed offices reduce acoustic transmission between workstations. Double-glazed acoustic partitions ensure meeting confidentiality while maintaining visual permeability and natural light distribution across the floorplate. Operational efficiency is embedded in the layout: discrete staff circulation, integrated goods delivery routes, and full-height storage support daily workflows, and the open kitchenette, printing station, and IT room are positioned to minimize disruption to focus areas. Together, these decisions form a workplace that supports the rigorous demands of development finance while maintaining the composure and precision expected in Cambodia's evolving commercial office market.