moyadesign renovates 50-year-old building in taipei into traditional medicine clinic

tokyo-based studio moyadesign has renovated a 30-year-old clinic in taipei into a traditional oriental pharmacy and clinic. the goal was to give it a fresh air, where both regular and new customers can experience the sophisticated and pleasant architecture that still maintains its traditional style. located on a big avenue, the first floor, and front window were designed as the pharmacy and the waiting area while the second floor serves as a consulting room.

all images by takaya sakano

from the avenue, a large expansive façade and waiting area created by moyadesign can be seen thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that contain it. a long eave frames the picturesque scene of activities inside against the background of antique wooden shelves. the movement of the people inside shapes the iconic image of the clinic together with the simple graphic design.

pharmacy interior

in a typical traditional pharmacy, patients wait for their prescriptions facing the pharmacists and seating across the counter, enabling them to engage in conversations. the pharmacists select the specific medicine from hundreds of drawers in shelves behind the counter and dispense medicines in front of patients and pharmacists, making it easier to check their health conditions. the antique wooden shelves and counters were kept, enforcing the traditional ways of the pharmacy. their surfaces were polished and placed at the original position to make the space familiar to regular patients even after the renovation.

the white marble counter 

as the client requested to show hospitality, a long white marble table was designed on which customers can have soup and tea. furthermore, the studio suggested renewing the visual image including logos and packaging displayed on shelves to introduce the new conception of the clinic. this to aim for customers to feel close to oriental medicine as if selecting cosmetics or gifts.

the antique counter 

the antique shelves

view from inside to outside

the waiting space 

the second floor

project info:

essentia traditional oriental medicine clinic

no295, sec. 5, roosevelt rd. taipei, taiwan

tel: (02) 2932-9777

web: http://www.tw-essentia.com

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edited by: juliana neira | designboom