Bashasha Pharmacy

Saida, Lebanon

Bashasha Pharmacy is a well-established pharmacy in central Saida, known for its scale, accessibility, and wide range of services. Our commission involved a complete interior transformation following the expansion into an adjacent unit, requiring the two spaces to be seamlessly combined into a single, coherent environment.

The primary challenge was to reorganise a dense and diverse programme into a space that remained calm, legible, and easy to navigate. A new spatial layout was developed to clarify movement, define product zones, and establish a clear relationship between public areas, service spaces, and staff functions. Custom joinery and bespoke furniture—including standalone shelving, the main counter, and a dedicated desk for the owner and manager on the mezzanine level—were designed as integral architectural elements rather than applied fittings.

Alongside functional clarity, the project introduced a layered graphic and narrative system woven into the architecture. Molecular structures were used as coded storytelling elements, subtly referencing product categories and services rather than acting as literal signage. These motifs appear across lightbox graphics, glass panels, and feature walls, animating the space and introducing moments of curiosity and identity. Oxytocin marks areas related to baby and motherhood products, while melatonin defines the 24-hour service zone, extending into the façade as a luminous marker of night-time care.

Light and materiality were treated as key architectural tools. Illumination was carefully calibrated to support focus, reduce visual fatigue, and soften the clinical qualities typically associated with pharmacies, while maintaining clarity and hygiene standards. The result is a bright, controlled, and reassuring interior that supports both efficiency and comfort.

In addition to the interior, the project included the complete redesign of the glazed façade. The entrance is clearly defined through a custom Alucobond frame incorporating integrated lighting, while the 24/7 service window is marked by a bespoke illuminated feature. A central signage system—developed in place of conventional banners—uses perforated panels and backlit elements to create a clear, contemporary identity. LED lighting animations introduce a subtle heartbeat rhythm, giving the façade a sense of movement and presence within the city.

The project demonstrates how a highly functional commercial interior can be transformed into a cohesive architectural environment—one that balances clarity, identity, and care across both space and experience.