Jeremy Barbour, founding principal of Brooklyn based architecture firm TACKLEBOX, recently wrapped up three NY retail spaces for Aesop, the Melbourne based skin and hair care brand. Barbour worked closely with the company to aligning certain guidelines while exploring his own concepts for the interiors. Like the signature sink in all of Aesop’s stores, a central element where customer can learn about its products. The University Place store is outfitted with an antique trough sink that came from the main factory of Bethlehem steel – “arguably one of the most important steel factories in the history of the US” states Barbour. “We sought to find a sink with a history that could add to the narrative and overall experience of the store.” Another key design TACKLEBOX developed is the 400,000 individual strips of the New York Times that line the walls in the Nolita store and are used as counter space for the Grand Central Terminal kiosk. The result of the design is clean and minimal which is synchronous with Aesop’s branding, but the texture from the use of materials is inviting and gives warmth to the space. See more photos after the jump.

New York is ever changing, structures are built and destroyed everyday. Yet fortunately, there is enough buildings in the the five boroughs to preserve the city’s history. Unfortunately they are off limits to the general public, aside from the major ones. Open House New York, the annual architectural event, blows those doors open and invites the commons for tours. Buildings like the Ford Foundation, Grand Lodge of Masons, the Little Red Lighthouse, and many others. OHNY takes place next weekend throughout NYC. Reservation is required for many of the tours, visit the site for more information.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed six hotels in his lifetime, five were built but only one remains today. After falling on hard times for the better part of the 20th century from alterations to abandonment, the Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa has been resurrected and is ready to become what it once was again. Though a non-profit was formed in 2005 to help restore the structure, the organization didn’t raise enough money for the project to begin until January 2010, when $20 million was spent on serious rehabilitation. The renovation progress was well documented on its blog. The Park Inn Hotel is ready to be opened to the public again on September 5th and is currently accepting reservations. (via Unbeige)

Competition is a healthy thing. It improves a product and creates innovation. BOFFO, the non-profit organization announced a competition earlier this year, that would pair up fashion designers with architects. The winners were announced last month and the result will be on view starting September 8 with Nicola Formichetti. Five designers will have their own retail space for two weeks each, located in Tribeca. We’re looking forward to what Graham Hudson will create for Patrik Ervell come October 20th. The other designers include Irene Neuwirth, The Lake & Stars, and Ohne Titel.

Back in 2009 The Cool Hunter visited Japanese clothing label …….Research’s Nagano private weekend retreat that also functions as a testing ground for his products. Yesterday Inventory Magazine pointed us to a set of photos in this month’s issue of Dwell. The magazine revisits …….Research’s facility to give us a different perspective.

We’re looking forward to Richard Press’s “Bill Cunningham New York” opening tonight at Film Forum. But we’re also intrigued by news about Press’s current project on Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House, the inspiration to Phillip Johnson’s Glass House. The story behind the Modern masterpiece is more than the influence and importance of the structure but also the relationship between the patron and artist. This case being Edith Farnsworth and Mies van der Rohe. The beauty in this house is it’s simplicity, an important piece of architecture all wrapped up in a 1,500-square-foot box, yet it took over six years to complete. Farnsworth and van der Rohe’s relationship was tumultuous and would eventually sour towards the end of construction. Press will be examining this relationship. An episode of “Saved from The Wrecking Ball” has been posted on YouTube about the Farnsworth House. Watch Part 1, 2, and 3 now.