Athens’ Placebo Pharmacy Is Wrapped with Light Infusing Braille Perforations

Posted By Lori Zimmer On May 31, 2011 @ 6:08 pm In Architecture,carousel showcase,gallery | 2 Comments

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Inspired by the busy thoroughfare of the nearby Vouliagmenis Avenue, KLab Architects ^[6] have constructed a spiraling façade on an existing octagonal building in Athens ^[7] that emulates the voluminous traffic in the area. Called “Placebo Pharmacy,” the open plan building features an actual pharmacy ^[8] 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.

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The architects gave the nearly 2,000 square foot rotunda a facelift by wrapping it in the smooth, white panels with strategic cut-outs ^[10]. The new outer skin has a pattern that uses actual Braille ^[11]! This was KLad’s clever way to reference pharmaceutical packaging, translating actual data into a visually appealing aesthetic. The Braille cut outs also filters natural light ^[12] into the interior.

The resulting effect is an eye catching matrix which evokes both high tech computer data, and also traditional lace ^[13].  The metal panels are painted white, filtering and reflecting light to illuminate the interior. The inside is structured in a cylindrical manner ^[14], 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.

+ KLab Architects ^[6]

Via Arch Daily ^[7]

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/athens-placebo-pharmacy-is-wrapped-with-light-infusing-braille-perforations/

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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/athens-placebo-pharmacy-is-wrapped-with-light-infusing-braille-perforations/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/athens-placebo-pharmacy-is-wrapped-with-light-infusing-braille-perforations/klab_placebo_pharmacy4/?extend=1

[6] KLab Architects: http://www.klab.gr/en/projects_detail.asp?id=108

[7] Athens: http://www.archdaily.com/139250/placebo-pharmacy-klab/

[8] pharmacy: http://inhabitat.com/shipping-container-health-clinics-for-developing-countires/

[9] Image: http://inhabitat.com/athens-placebo-pharmacy-is-wrapped-with-light-infusing-braille-perforations/klab_placebo_pharmacy2/

[10] cut-outs: http://inhabitat.com/yeshop-papercut-interior/

[11] Braille: http://inhabitat.com/the-materialized-light-of-padlab/

[12] natural light: http://inhabitat.com/the-little-herenhuis-in-the-netherlands-has-fabric-shingles-that-flap-in-the-wind/

[13] lace: http://inhabitat.com/gernot-riethers-coccoon-like-spherical-enclosures-made-of-sugarcane-win-aia-award/

[14] cylindrical manner: http://inhabitat.com/frances-museumotel-is-a-bubbly-retreat-complete-with-pod-homes/

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