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How to Design and Layout A Pharmacy?
A new store called Gaelan Pharmacy design has completely refreshed the stereotypical impression of pharmacies. There are no cold glass cabinets or pungent disinfectant odors. Instead, there is an open space, soft lighting, and even a relaxed feeling like visiting a lifestyle collection store. In fact, the design of a pharmacy is never as simple as "putting medicines on the shelves". It has to balance "professionalism and practicality" (enabling customers to quickly find medicine and allowing staff to manage efficiently) and "experience warmth" (reducing the sense of oppression in medical scenarios). Today, taking Gaelan as an example, let me give you a detailed introduction on how to do a good design layout.
1. Ensure smooth traffic flow: "unobstructed."
A common problem with many traditional pharmacies is "crowding" : the aisles are so narrow that one can only pass sideways, the shelves are packed to the brims, and it's hard for customers to even take a step back, making the shopping experience both hasty and tiring. Gaelan's circulation design has first put "smoothness" into practice:
- Leavesufficient width for the main passage
The main passage after entering the store is maintained at about 1.8 meters. Even if strollers, wheelchairs are pushed or several customers pass through at the same time, it will not be cramped. The designer paid special attention to the entrance (as shown in the facade drawing). The glass door is fully open without any threshold, which not only facilitates the entry and exit of people with limited mobility but also makes the space appear more spacious.
- Adopt a "circular island" layout
Traditional pharmacies often arrange the central island shelves in a "long snake formation", and customers can only walk along it, easily getting stuck in a certain area. Gaelan divided the central island shelves into several independent display stands (such as the one on the right side of the entrance), which were distributed in a circular island pattern. Customers could walk around them, naturally diverting the crowd. Moreover, there is a 1.2-meter gap between each central island, making it very easy to turn around and get the medicine from the shelves behind.
- "Daily necessities in advance"
The first thing that catches the eye upon entering the store is the central island counter, which displays frequently used medicines such as those for colds, stomach and intestines, and external injuries. This not only meets the essential needs immediately but also does not block the areas behind. This "take the commonly used medicines first and then browse other areas" layout slows down the pace of shopping and reduces the anxiety caused by congestion.
2. Visual atmosphere: A light and soothing feel
The cold white walls and stainless steel cabinets of traditional pharmacies always give people a sense of oppression as if they have entered a consultation room. The core of Gaelan's visual design is to "soften the medical attributes" :
- Choose the tone of "warm + light"
The overall base color of this pharmacy is soft white and light wood color - the frames of the shelves and the tops of the display stands are all warm wooden, reducing the "coldness". The walls are not painted a deathly white but have a warm, slightly off-white tone. Even without turning on the lights, it won't feel dazzling.
- The accent color "Healthy without looking out"
The design of this pharmacy does not use the traditional "Red Cross red" of pharmacies, but instead opts for low-saturation mint green and light blue (such as the arched shelf frames), which not only echoes the theme of "health", but also does not stand out too much. Even the brand logo uses a combination of green and blue, which is completely in harmony with the overall style and does not stand out as jarring as red and white characters.
- Lighting is a "powerful tool for creating an atmosphere
The ceiling is not equipped with rigid grille lights but instead features a set of irregular oval light panels (refer to the in-store pictures). The light is warm white, bright enough but not dazzling. In addition, the track lights are highlighted to illuminate the medicines on the shelves, which not only ensures clarity when taking them but also creates a soft atmosphere. When I was strolling around, I deliberately stood in front of the shelves. The lights were shone on the medicine packaging, not directly into my eyes, so I didn't feel tired even after strolling for a long time.
3. Shelves and Displays
The shelves in a pharmacy are not just about being "the higher and more spacious". The core is to "enable customers to easily access the medicine they need". The shelf design of Gaelan conceals many practical details:
The height of the shelves "fits the line of sight"：
The height of the central island shelves is controlled at 1.4 meters, which is just within the eye range of most people - there is no need to stand on tiptoe to reach the upper floors or bend down to pick up the lower ones. Although the wall-mounted shelves are taller, the middle layer (80-120cm) is the "golden display area", specifically for high-turnover commonly used medicines, while the upper layer is for inventory or infrequently purchased goods.
The hierarchical logic is "based on demand：
- Middle layer (80-120cm) : Place commonly used medicines such as cold medicine, probiotics, and band-aids. The packaging is conspicuous and within easy reach.
- Low level (40-80cm) : bulky items such as large bottles of hydrogen peroxide and household cotton swabs do not require frequent restocking.
- High floor (120-140cm) : It is used to store inventory or niche medicines, such as certain topical ointments. Even if you can't get them, it's very convenient to ask the store staff for help.
Display "Classified by symptoms, not by dosage form"：
This is the most considerate point: Traditional pharmacies often display "capsules" and "powders" separately, and customers have to search back and forth between different shelves. Gaelan categorizes products by "symptoms" - for instance, cold-related granules, capsules and lozenges are all placed together, with an icon label of "Cold and Heat Clearing" pasted beside them. Even those who are not familiar with medicines can quickly find the corresponding category.
4. Functional zoning: Neither "Professionalism" nor "Experience" can be lost
The core of a pharmacy is "professionalism", so the zoning must not be chaotic. But at the same time, the experience should be taken into account. It cannot be as cold as a hospital pharmacy. Gaelan's partitioning logic is "from public to private" :
- Upon entering: Life and Health Zone
As soon as you enter the store, you'll find health supplements, personal care products (such as hand cream and lip balm), and even home first aid kits. It's as relaxing as visiting a lifestyle collection store, allowing you to first get rid of the "tension of seeing a doctor".
- Central region: Commonly used medicine area
Further inside is the section for commonly used medicines for colds, stomach and intestines, and external injuries. All the shelves are open, allowing customers to take them directly without frequently calling the staff.
- Deep inside: Prescription Drugs + Consultation Area
The innermost part is the prescription drug section, separated by a half-height counter and a green vertical wall (see the in-store picture) - it offers a relatively private space without being completely enclosed with thick glass as in traditional pharmacies. Customers can sit at the counter and communicate slowly with the pharmacist, and the pharmacist can also easily reach the medicine cabinet at the back. Both professionalism and experience are well balanced.
- Transition zone: Popular items of the season
Between the pharmacy shop shelves, small display stands are left, displaying seasonal demand items such as allergy medicine for the change of seasons and throat lozenges for winter. This not only serves to guide the flow of people but also reminds customers of their current health needs.
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