kind of technology and its role in daily life’.
She says the challenge was to get ‘beyond the
boundaries of the classic pharmacy layout.
We didn’t want to create just another white
background for the products, but an inviting
space that would facilitate face-to-face com-
munication and personal interaction.’
The solution was to combine technol-
ogy with a deeply human atmosphere and
tactility. ‘We wanted to rediscover the apoth-
ecary as a unique analogue experience,’ says
Losos. Mid-century modern is an unexpected
aesthetic for a pharmacy. It adds warmth
and a nostalgic feeling through the use of
wood, glass, and an organic palette of natural
browns, greens and creams.
Studio Aisslinger’s preference for a
warm atmosphere and a human approach
does not come out of nowhere. The upswing
of health awareness has sparked a rise of
public spaces designed to recharge and
recover. These sanctuaries from hectic city
life are claiming an increasing share of the
hospitality industry, where wellness activi-
ties are already omnipresent. Conversely,
medical institutions and healthcare envi-
ronments have started to adopt the more
welcoming vibe inherent to cafés and hotels,accommodating doctor-patient encounters
in less clinical settings. Pharmacies such as
Apotheke are smart to follow suit. By putting
accessibility, trust and convenience at the
forefront of their designs, they safeguard
their position in a world oversaturated with
health-related advice.
In the UK, it’s a position that seems
to be quite strong at the moment – a recent
healthcare survey commissioned by pharma-
ceutical company Sanofi shows that almost
two-thirds of British people would rather
visit a pharmacist than a GP for advice on
minor ailments. The survey revealed a sig-
nificant generational difference, however:
50 per cent aged 16 to 24 said they would
visit a pharmacy for advice, compared with
70 per cent of respondents between 45 and
54 years of age. Whether the same is true in
other countries remains to be seen, but if
there is even the smallest chance that bet-
ter interior designs can make young adults
choose the pharmacist over an online symp-
tom checker or self-diagnosis app, isn’t that
alone worth the investment? – JS
aisslinger.deStudio Aisslinger combines technology
with an organic palette of natural browns,
greens and creams to facilitate personal
interaction at Apotheke pharmacy.Uw
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SPACES 101