Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography, FacadePharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior PhotographyPharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior PhotographyPharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Shelving, ChairPharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - More Images+ 16

More SpecsLess Specs
Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Substance

Text description provided by the architects. The new pharmacy on the corner of Jurmalas gatve and Dzirciema street is not just a building, but rather a peculiar hybrid between an environmental installation and a building. Its overall image is modest and conceptually assertive, but at the same time keenly different from the surrounding urban environment and attractively expressing the contents of the building.

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Substance

According to the location of the new pharmacy, the plot visually and functionally perceived as a small city square. The concept is based on the development of a public outdoor installation. Openwork sixteenth-corner metal construction basket two storey high is designed to be filled with the required function of the pharmacy. In order to ensure the functionality of the newly created facility, the installation was designed with reference to the pharmacy, which would be easily recognisable from the potential buyers of drugs and other medicines. The building's facade installation frame uses the traditional pharmacy symbol – a cross as a module that would be left open or filled with perforated aluminium panels depending on the needs of the inner plans of the building.

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Substance
Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Image 15 of 21
First Floor Plan
Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Shelving, Chair
Courtesy of Substance

The idea of environmental installation arose not only due to the existing green square but also due to the local building authorities, who insisted that a traditional low-rise building from the urban planning view is not suitable for the corner of the block with five-storey building. In their opinion, the more visually new volume will differ from traditional buildings, the better it will fit into the existing surrounding.

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Substance

New installation is not only a design element of the parametric architecture but also some kind of the signboard of the pharmacy. During the periods when there is no intense sun lighting on the facade, individual crosses are illuminated with built-in LED lighting in bright green color.

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Substance

The building's bearing construction is based on four columns of reinforced concrete. The columns located in the middle of the building make the perimeter of the building fully subordinated to the parametric pattern of the facade installation. In contrast to the visually saturated metal frame, the facade of the building made as simple as possible - with structural glazing and composite panels.

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Substance
Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Image 16 of 21
Second Floor Plan
Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Image 20 of 21
Facade
Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Substance

Finally, the facade installation also significantly improves the energy performance of the new building and, despite the wide glazed openings in the base facade of the building, it is almost 0 consumer building, according to the actual energy efficiency calculation.

Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Substance

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Dzirciema iela 5a, Kurzemes rajons, Rīga, LV-1083, Latvia

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Pharmacy on Dzirciema Street / Substance" 20 Feb 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/957123/pharmacy-on-dzirciema-street-substance> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of Substance

拉脱维亚圆筒药房 / Substance

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.