Sui'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic

Sui'an Hall, founded by the Wen family ancestors in the 24th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, now boasts a history of over 200 years. Faced with the design of such a time-honored traditional Chinese medicine hall, we are filled with reverence for the brand and its culture, as well as a desire to explore the relationship between history and modernity.This is a family biography of Sui'an Hall, a sprawling historical anecdote that introduces the life and medical philosophy of the ancestor Wen Sui'an. A description of his pharmacy particularly caught our interest:"Two rooms served as the medicine hall, with the middle left empty. Medicine cabinets were placed against the three walls, with a counter in front for dispensing medicines. Chairs and stools were set on the side for those waiting to collect their prescriptions. One room near the medicine hall was divided by a curtain into two halves: one larger half served as a waiting room with a few stools for patients, while the other half was partitioned into two sections—one for preparing medicines and the other as a treatment room... "The imagination of "emptiness" is also related to the layout of classical Chinese residences. Courtyards guide the spatial arrangement, forming pathways for space generation.The courtyard regulates the relationship between buildings (or spaces), while the "front yard" serves as a central gathering place. Connecting pathways is crucial, as it extends the activity scenes outward, allowing people to comfortably engage in diverse activities, displays,and treatments.The Flavor Pavilion is a landmark "structure" at the center of the space, where four directions converge.Under a wooden and fabric canopy, staggered platforms, bar counters, casual seating,and benches offer varied experiences at different heights. The Flavor Rare Products area is placed more openly in the central public zone, serving as a stage for display and interaction, linking different scenarios in a friendly and relaxed manner. Here, we evoke the traditional painting scenes of tea drinking and cooking under eaves, blending leisure into the contemporary setting of a traditional Chinese medicine hall. Three droplet-shaped ripple chandeliers illuminate the central courtyard, enhancing the ambiance.