Handled by Hooman Balazadeh, the new M Coffee located in the Velenjak Shopping Center, Tehran, presents a soothing respite for weary consumers. Arch Daily writes, “The spatial concept was to present a significant solid mass that connects the entrance of the hall to the serving counter and also illustrates the roof and the walls as a continuous element. This solid mass provides the essential light of the area indirectly and eliminates any sharp and disturbing type of light. The form was generated through morphing two curves over each other that creates variety of different perspective views and diverse experiences in each spot.”

If only as much care was given to the spaces containing our local hyped up beans.

More images follow.

Dezeen brings us looks inside Hermes new Paris boutique designed by the RDAI agency. “French architects RDAI have completed this new Paris boutique for fashion brand Hermès inside a 1930s swimming pool building. Hèrmes Rive Gauche features three nine-metre high wooden pavilions made of ash laths, each housing the Hèrmes collections. A fourth wooden structure lines the staircase leading visitors from the entrance into the former pool.” A very natural feel to the finish – and beautiful of course.

More looks after the click.

Once upon a time, this space housed a spectacular pool. Appropriated by Hermes, and under the eye of architectural firm RDAI, the swimming baths become a dry land playground for the luxury brand’s new South Bank boutique.  The sweeping staircases and a series of twisting wooden pavilions delineate space in the large center area. This helps keep aspects of the brand separate and makes for more intimate shopping areas.

A nice reuse of venue, capitalizing on past luxury while infusing a new sense of environment.

For those interested, Dezeen has more information from the architects.

More images of Hermes Rive Gauche after the jump.

Dazed profiles Henrik Vibskov’s latest “100 Days” travelling concept store. “The Pop-up store will open in Amsterdam at SPRSPACE for 100 days only, then travel around the major European capitals for a series of short-leases. Each store will be an experiment with spaces and installations. One-off pieces and clothes that were edited out last minute will be sold alongside collections, with SS11 hitting the store around the 50th day. Dazed talked to Henrik Vibskov about the space and its themes.” More at Dazed.

More looks after the click.

London’s St. Martins Lane Hotel and New York City’s cult beauty lab MALIN+GOETZ have partnered to open a temporary apothecary in the hotel’s Front Room. Hotel guests and outside shoppers can experience the foodie-inspired, no fuss, advanced skincare products. And, in the Christmas spirit shippers can select items like Peppermint Shampoo.

You may remember that in year’s past such retailers as Dover Street Market have inhabited the space, this partnership serving as a nice continuation of a holiday tradition of well selected pop-up shops.

More images of the space follow.

There is something appealing about the standalone nature of Japanese flagships. Their vertical rectangular forms stand out as they should. Marc Jacob’s latest on Aoyama is stunning in detail both inside and out. Stephan Jaklitsch Architects took the helm on this work. Check the special edition MArc Jacobs t-shirt issued for the launch in our gallery. (houyhnhnm)

More looks after the click.

Folk stores are often better, in my opinion, than the brands garments. Both, to be sure, share a quirky take on the stripped down contemporary aesthetic. The spaces and the garments, then, are at least neatly balanced.

Folk has recently opened a new retail space in Munich. Much like their London location, it is a exercise in transforming the dull elements of menswear shops – the metal tubing, simple shelving, random wood accent – into something with a bit of warmth. Shall we say they’ve mastered adding an element of rustic sophistication to a now overdone formula.

Frame caught some images from the shop.

Barker Black expands their U.S. presence to the West Coast with a new shop in Los Angeles. The brand, established in 1880 is beyond heritage at this point. “Barker Black shoes are created by a team of specialized craftsmen, many of whom have been working with the brand for more than 20 years. The designs, made from the finest Italian and French calf, are left on the last for 15 to 30 days, during which time the shoes are placed in a wire frame and suspended from rafters above the factory, giving each pair extended time to retain its beautiful, one-of-a-kind shape.”

Their new L.A. shop extends the brand’s presence with a destination shop that helps express the brand’s history and reach. Man, you cannot beat that old school skull and crossbones look. Find them at: 450 North Robertson Blvd.

More looks at the Barker Black L.A. store after the click.

Commuters looking for a high design gift this holiday season will look no further than the Cooper-Hewitt’s Kiosk at New York’s Grand Central Station. Located in the Station’s Graybar Passage, the Kiosk “will offer a selection of 25 design works from the museum’s renowned shop, including decorative objects, jewelry, toys and office accessories, and will be outfitted with USM Modular Furniture’s Haller system in orange, a color available for the first time in three decades. Cooper-  Hewitt chose the USM Haller system—a 1963 design classic, which is created from a few basic  elements that can be expanded or reconfigured as needed—to outfit its museum shop and now the kiosk.” Open for business through January 3, 2010.

Photos by Daniel Levin.

Images of the Kiosk and a few objects within – including an awesome table tennis set  – after the jump.

Our friends at Need Supply have moved down the street in their Richmond, VA hood. “Knowing that we would never want to leave Carytown, we just went one block up the street, to 3100 West Cary Street. We’re now located on the corner of Belmont Ave. and Cary Street.” Congrats to them on the new digs.

More looks at the new Need Supply Store in Richmond, VA after the click.