waterfrom's molecure pharmacy in taiwan offers a more interactive experience

the owner of the ‘molecure pharmacy’ is a post-80s taiwanese and the third generation of a pharmaceutical family, who hopes to subvert the traditional image of the pharmacy and mold it into the diversified modern environment of taiwan. just like molecure is split and reorganized from words like ‘molecule’ and ‘cure’, the design team returns to the original purpose of the pharmacy — extracting molecules from nature to synthesize healing drugs. therefore, the idea of building a space which is named ‘green in the lab’, combining the seemingly conflicting qualities of ‘primitive’ with ‘technology’, just like new compounds formed due to molecular bombardment.

all images © kuomin lee

the taiwanese based waterfrom design extracts the two characteristics of a molecule — ‘connectivity’ and ‘aggregation’ into the design. for example, using cement to stick cobblestones on the two towering walls on the left and right side, whose rough texture gives people a sense of being real. the metal, lightweight glass, and transparent acrylics are crisscrossing, and straight lines are adopted to build the display racks which is in longitude-and-latitude shape; just as repeated expanding of the molecule — with drugs displayed, the racks seem to disappear from the space, while the colorful drugs act as paintings to color the walls. hence, the space is floating with breathtaking abstract art atmosphere.

the core of the pharmacy is the laboratory table, where pharmacists interact with customers

the one-way traditional pharmacy counter service is avoided here. the core of the space is a laboratory table, where pharmacists interact with customers. together with the open dispensing area, and an ipad embedded consulting service system, interactive information aggregation function and innovative customer experience are created. the laboratory table, which is stacked with solid wood, together with the hanging green plants that grow profusely, give the pharmacy the looks of an original forest. this subverts the dull atmosphere of a traditional pharmacy and turns health care into an fitter lifestyle.

first floor upward view

as an unprecedented integration of three business types — drug display, dispensing experiments, and life experience, what connects them is a curvy copper staircase, which makes people think of the DNA structure in molecular biology. countless molecule-like triangular holes are cut by laser on the stairs to create shadows which symbols scattered shadow of leaves, acting as a salute to nature. just as the owner desired, ‘molecure pharmacy’ not only gets rid of the fixed stereotype of pharmacies and improves the value of existence of taiwan’s stagnant pharmacy industry, redefining the value of health from four aspects: drugs, health food, diet and exercise, but also brings people who pay increasing attention to health a new space which integrates function, aesthetics, and experimental spirit.

spiral staircase-upward view

second floor overlook

the pharmaceutical drugs displayed over the first floor racks attribute color to the cobblestone wall

first floor display wall

spiral staircase

perforated staircase

display wall-upward view

dispensing area

display rack

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom