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The Riverside Siem Reap: 23 Modern Villas Near the River
Discover The Riverside Siem Reap, a gated community of 23 modern villas near the river in Slor Kram.
Alternative Living in Siem Reap
After 20 years in Siem Reap, Australian resident Deborah Saunders turned a creative idea into a fully functional home on wheels, with a wider vision for a community built around simpler living, nature and connection.
On a large, green plot at Happy Horse Ranch in Siem Reap sits a home that is difficult to place into an ordinary property category.
Measuring just 24 sqm, it contains a living area, kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom within an 8-metre by 3-metre structure. Timber finishes, colourful details and unexpected design touches give the interior a playful personality. Underneath it all is a four-wheel platform that allows the entire house to be relocated.
The tiny house was created by Deborah Saunders, an Australian who has lived in Siem Reap for approximately 20 years. What began as a creative project has developed into a broader idea about simpler homes, adaptable living and the possibility of bringing like-minded residents together.
After nearly two decades of living in Siem Reap, Deborah has developed a strong connection with the city’s quieter side. Its greenery, peaceful atmosphere and slower rhythm are among the qualities that have kept her here.
They also provided the setting for an unconventional building project.
“I decided to build a tiny house on wheels because I saw a gap in the market,” Deborah explains. “I thought I would have the opportunity to do something creative, and there was nothing like it in Siem Reap.”
This is not her first attempt. Deborah previously completed another tiny house, which is now with an American man who chose to retire in Siem Reap. The current house is her second build, allowing her to develop the concept further while giving it its own character.
Rather than trying to reproduce a conventional house on a smaller scale, Deborah approached the project around the realities of compact living. Every part needed to serve a purpose, but she did not want practicality to remove the sense of warmth and personality that makes somewhere feel like home.
Inside, the house has the essential spaces needed for everyday living, arranged within a compact footprint.
Large windows introduce natural light and views of the surrounding greenery. Timber features bring warmth to the interior, while colourful and handcrafted details prevent the space from feeling overly restrained. A covered deck extends the living area outdoors and provides a place to sit within the natural surroundings of the ranch.
“I’m proud of the functionality of the house, and I’m also proud of the fact that it sparks joy as soon as you walk in the door,” Deborah says.
“It’s a humble place to be in. It has some quirky things to it, but all of the things are there in a practical sense, and they are completely functional.”
That combination of practicality and playfulness is central to the house. It is compact without feeling purely utilitarian, and imaginative without losing sight of how someone would actually live in it.
For Deborah, the small details matter because they help turn a structure into a personal space. The result is a home with a noticeable sense of individuality, designed for someone comfortable with living differently.
The house is currently positioned at Happy Horse Ranch in Svay Dangkum, surrounded by mature trees and open natural space while remaining accessible to central Siem Reap.
Electricity is already connected, and the house is prepared for connection to a water supply. Because it is built on a four-wheel platform, it can remain in its present setting, subject to a separate arrangement with the landowner, or be transported to another suitable plot.
This flexibility creates several possible uses. It could become a compact permanent residence, a weekend retreat, a creative studio or a guesthouse placed on an existing property.
When asked how she imagines someone using it, Deborah sees it as a home for an independent person with an adventurous outlook.
“I think the tiny house would be suitable for a single female, or even a single male, with a bit of a sense of adventure,” she says.
“It’s very functional, very practical and very easy to maintain. It has a degree of whimsy to it as well, so it would be a very happy home to live in.”
Although this house is being offered individually, Deborah’s idea extends beyond a single property.
Happy Horse Ranch occupies a substantial natural plot, giving her the vision of one day creating a small collection of tiny homes for people drawn to a similar way of living. For people considering retiring in Siem Reap, as well as independent residents interested in compact homes, the idea could provide private living within a small, like-minded community.
At this stage, that community remains a personal vision rather than a formally established residential development. Nevertheless, the successful completion of two tiny houses has given the idea a tangible beginning.
If the current house is sold, Deborah intends to continue creating. Her hope is to build another tiny house, develop new ideas and see how the concept could evolve in Siem Reap.
This makes the present home both a completed property and one chapter in a continuing creative project.
Explore the compact interior, handcrafted details and natural setting that give Deborah’s tiny house its practical yet playful character.
The tiny house is now available for someone who appreciates its unconventional character and the flexibility it offers.
The sale includes the house itself, not the land beneath it. A buyer may discuss the possibility of keeping it at its current Happy Horse Ranch location under a separate land-rental arrangement, or relocate it to another suitable property. Any continued occupation of the present site would be subject to agreement with the landowner.
For Deborah, selling the house means allowing someone new to shape its next chapter while giving her the opportunity to begin another project.
“I built this as a whimsical passion from my heart,” she says. “Now it’s time to pass it on to someone else.”
To view the complete property details or arrange a viewing, visit the Tiny House on Wheels listing or contact IPS Cambodia.
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Discover The Riverside Siem Reap, a gated community of 23 modern villas near the river in Slor Kram.
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