Westgate Pharmacy, Cologne

Digital signage meets striking shop design

Digital signage combines shop design with digital media. The Westgate Pharmacy on Hohenstaufenring in Cologne was an early example of how the technology has been integrated into a bespoke pharmacy concept. For years, the pharmacy in Cologne city centre has been attracting attention with its extraordinary design concept.

The centrepiece is a seven-metre-wide media wall featuring 21 screens. It replaces the traditional open-shelf displays behind the pharmacy staff and alternately presents product offers and the latest promotional content. In doing so, the Westgate Pharmacy is embracing ‘digital signage’ – a way of displaying content digitally and flexibly at the point of sale. ‘This allows me to react spontaneously: if the weather is bad, for example, we show adverts for cold remedies,’ says Tenberken.

The exposed ceiling, with its ventilation ducts and aluminium pendant lights, is one of the features that lends the space its industrial character. The ‘Cobblestone’ flooring from the EXPONA DESIGN collection adds a further design accent. 

“The floor, with its cobblestone look, emphasises the industrial style of my pharmacy and gives it a unique, striking appearance,” says pharmacist Erik Tenberken, explaining his choice.

In 2013, the Westgate Pharmacy was awarded the ‘Future Prize for Public Pharmacies’ for its concept.

EXPONA DESIGN: striking aesthetics for shopfitting

With its diverse range of wood, stone and material finishes, EXPONA DESIGN offers a wide array of options for designing retail and commercial spaces. The authentic-looking finishes can be used strategically to reflect different styles and visually link individual areas.

The properties of EXPONA DESIGN are also particularly relevant for high-traffic areas in shopfitting: the design floor coverings feature a hard-wearing 0.7 mm wear layer and a PUR surface finish, which facilitates cleaning and maintenance during day-to-day use.