Athens’ Placebo Pharmacy Is Wrapped with Light Infusing Braille Perforations

Inspired by the busy thoroughfare of the nearby Vouliagmenis Avenue, <a href="http://www.klab.gr/en/projects_detail.asp?id=108" target="_blank">KLab Architects</a> have constructed a spiraling façade on an existing octagonal building in <a href="http://www.archdaily.com/139250/placebo-pharmacy-klab/" target="_blank">Athens</a> that emulates the voluminous traffic in the area. Called “Placebo Pharmacy,” the open plan building features an actual <a href="http://inhabitat.com/shipping-container-health-clinics-for-developing-countires/" target="_blank">pharmacy</a> on the ground floor, and offices on the upper mezzanine. Lined with windows and perforations, the building is flooded with 360 degrees of natural light.

The architects gave the nearly 2,000 square foot rotunda a facelift by wrapping it in the smooth, white panels with strategic <a href="http://inhabitat.com/yeshop-papercut-interior/" target="_blank">cut-outs</a>. The new outer skin has a pattern that uses actual <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-materialized-light-of-padlab/" target="_blank">Braille</a>!

This was KLad’s clever way to reference pharmaceutical packaging, translating actual data into a visually appealing aesthetic. The Braille cut outs also filters <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-little-herenhuis-in-the-netherlands-has-fabric-shingles-that-flap-in-the-wind/" target="_blank">natural light</a> into the interior.

The resulting effect is an eye catching matrix which evokes both high tech computer data, and also traditional <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gernot-riethers-coccoon-like-spherical-enclosures-made-of-sugarcane-win-aia-award/" target="_blank">lace</a>.

The metal panels are painted white, filtering and reflecting light to illuminate the interior. The inside is structured in a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/frances-museumotel-is-a-bubbly-retreat-complete-with-pod-homes/" target="_blank">cylindrical manner</a>, which reflects the façade’s circular attributes, and reinforces the open plan.

A central cash register allows for continual radial flow of the pharmacy’s displays.

 KLab also installed a gradual ramp to the mezzanine offices, rather than a staircase, to preserve and reinforce the flow of the entire building.