On Blitzen

This year we hopped on the party bus and headed to Brooklyn for the annual Beinfield Architecture holiday celebration. The champagne flowed freely in every direction as the bus defied gravity at every curve, delivering us to the the recently restored Wythe Hotel where we kicked off the party on the 6th floor bar overlooking the city. The hotel space was formerly a cask and textile factory built in 1901, a beautiful fusion of reclaimed vintage ironwork, timber and brick. Then across the street, to Brooklyn Bowl for food, drinks and spirited competition. 

 Looking forward to bringing in the New Year - 

best wishes for a positive and productive 2017!

Fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline from the Wythe Hotel rooftop bar

Brooklyn Bowl was originally an ironworks(!) foundry, constructed using recycled materials, glass reclaimed
from the Brooklyn Navy Yard and custody-controlled wooden floor boards reclaimed from the original building 

Cheers

At Beinfield Architecture we are reminded how inspired design has the power to be an agent
of change and renewal.

We are, after all, designing for comfort and joy!

Wishing our friends, clients and colleagues
good cheer and well-being in 2017!

Design Within Reach

In tribute to Jens Risom,  Mark Goodwin AIA shared this gem of a house, built for under 25K in 1967 -

Jens Risom (1916-2016) at his summer home on Block Island

Read Dwell article here

BA Bringing it to New Haven / Audubon St.

Beinfield Architecture plans are underway for a new apartment complex in New Haven, helping the city grow and providing 270 residential units where vacancy is trending as low as 2%. Parking, which will be hidden within a wrap of housing, will provide space for nearby Frontier employees as well as residents.

It could also be a draw for people looking for an attractive and affordable alternative to maxed-out cosmopolitan cities.

Work is expected to start Spring 2017 and take about a year and a half.
Read more NEWS8

Downsized Big

Beinfield Architecture is stepping in with a scaled down proposal for 272-280 Main Avenue, to replace the previously discarded big-box development plan.

Design is underway for “The Village,” Beinfield’s solution, which would incorporate smaller retail storefronts and restaurants with outdoor dining which would incorporate the neighborhood, blending the existing historic architecture and encouraging a walkable component.    The HOUR article here

Plans include pedestrian accessible smaller retail, restaurants with outdoor seating,
solar panels and Green Building

272 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT

Branding Real Estate / Storytelling

Excerpted from Bruce's presentation on Branding Real Estate:
The Developer's Secret Weapon / Harvard University -

Corsair, New Haven

"Working on the Corsair project has given me an appreciation of the value of storytelling as it relates to architectural placemaking and community building. Storytelling leads to authentic branding that celebrates the history, geography, and culture of a particular place and speaks to what it can become. Branding serves to bond individuals together to form a community, and encourages them to be part of the next chapters in the story going forward.

The branding of Corsair, was in many ways` a natural extension of our architectural design process.

We take a concept oriented approach to the design process. The first step is to understand the project goals, requirements and constraints, so as to enable an informed architectural response. People’s romantic notions about their homes vary widely and tend to be culturally determined. Gaining an understanding of the target demographic and their underlying thought patterns related to home is an important step in the process.

Characteristics of the site, along with our client’s needs and dreams guide us to a concept or central idea unique to each project. Searching for the right concept is a creative challenge. We stir a number of ideas into the pot, sifting the ingredients through our architectural filters, in search of ideas that resonate.

The architectural concept is distilled to its essence, just a few words, such that it can inform the design at all scales, from massing, to materials, to details. The consistency of the concept is evident in the finished product. It imbues even small details and simple materials with meaning, thus making the mundane memorable.

The intended result is an architecture that is cohesive, innovative, and contextual, in which the smallest details embrace and reinforce the underlying project goals. We endeavor to endow our architecture with energy, meaning, emotion, and intention.

The branding process involves a similar creative exercise. At Corsair the history of the place was a natural direction to pursue. At a time when so much of the built environment is placeless and faceless, celebrating the history of a place adds authenticity and provides continuity with the past. At Corsair the integration of the architecture into the urban fabric of the street, and the referencing of the local brick industrial mill building typology helped to make the building both fit in, and stand out.

Within the community space at Corsair we developed a wide range of environments to house a variety of activities. The Corsair brand provided a common thread that tied the place together. The recycling of the historic industrial materials and artifacts from an earlier age endows Corsair with spirit, and provides authenticity to the experience of living there. The attention to brand related details, like the displaying old bottles that were found during the excavation, and the preservation of cast stone panels that adorned the prior building on the site, layer additional meaning into the placemaking, and sent out strong messages to residents, or future residents that this is a caring community, and a great place to live."

Beinfield Architaggers

Quest for Infamy - Beinfield Architecture firm's signatures on Corsair New Haven sign

 

Harral Security Wheeler/Downtown North Bridgeport

1955 ~ 2016

Beinfield Architecture collaborated with Spinnaker Real Estate and Viking Construction on the Harral Security Wheeler building in Downtown North Bridgeport.
The Harral Security Wheeler development is a historic preservation and adaptive reuse of a former office building that dates to 1904.  It has been converted to residential use with street level retail and office space.
Located in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, it is walk-able to transit, restaurants, hotels, banks and attractions.

Uncovered during the redevelopment were several surprises, including an elaborate pattern engraved in cast iron around the main entrance of the building. The pattern had been hidden in a 1970s-era renovation.

Corsair / New Haven

  Visit Corsair / New Haven / Beinfield Portfolio

El Segundo - Second to None

Artist DUSTER's signature style at Beinfield Architecture designed El Segundo 

"Decades ago, the work of Bronx artist Duster UA was spotted by avid New York City collector and curator Dolores Neumann. The well-known graffiti writer, whose tags and visual musings could be found on the sides of trains and the city walls that were his first canvases, made the leap to put paint to actual canvas and became part of Neumann's private collection that included Picassos, Matisses, Miros. As a board member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the curator also got one of his paintings accepted there (he describes their relationship in a 20 IO interview/ short documentary, searchable on Youtube). 

Norwalk's Peter Bondi has amassed his own extensive collection of street art over the years, including Duster's work, and through Bondi and Ironworks and El Segundo architect and designer Bruce Beinfield, an introduction was made between the artist and the owners of the bar. "They said they wanted the place to look like an abandoned building where writers had gone· through .. .I've done that kind of stuff before, on movie sets," (Duster's cache includes work in Hollywood for the likes of the Wayans brothers). The detailed piece at the back of the room of a train face is a signature painting that he originally imagined and created on the side of a New York train car. "It's a wild-style piece that says, 'Duster,"' he muses".

Read more of Foodster Mike Mackeys'  article in The Beat here

Corsair / Place-making through the Arts

CORSAIR New Haven mural / the Beinfield team was invited to sign the letter "n" at the opening celebration

More on Beinfield Architecture's recently opened Corsair in the news - 

"In mid-June, the Corsair, a new luxury residential complex at 1050 State St., welcomed the public to view its largely interior collection of commissioned artworks by predominantly New Haven-area artists, related to the site’s historical contributions and manufacturing glory days.

In recent weeks, the company’s mission of arts support and place-making through the arts took another bold step with the addition of a new exterior mural painted on the north side of the Corsair site facing State Street and within view of an I-91 overpass. The idea of a postcard-like presentation was conceived by developer Andy Montelli working with muralist Josh Griffin, a young artist with a growing visual footprint in New Haven."
New Haven Independent

Video / mural in progress

ARTISAN / Beinfield Architecture / Fairfield Restaurant Week - October 16 -22

MENU

"Located on the ground floor of the boutique Delamar Southport Hotel in the coastal Connecticut town of Southport, Artisan Restaurant, Tavern, and Garden exemplifies the ideal integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Architect Mark P. Goodwin of the Norwalk firm Beinfield Architecture collaborated with Liza Laserow of Laserow Antiques and Interior Designs to create an atmosphere that incorporates classic 18th Century Scandinavian design while also staying true to the regional hallmarks of the restaurant’s New England setting...."

“A Taste of Old Sweden in Coastal New England,” by Saby Teyes-Kulkarni, Wearedesignbureau.com, September 25, 2014
http://beinfield.com/work/artisan/

Thumbs Up!

Architect Bruce Beinfield talks with transportation consultant Sam Schwartz 

near the Metro-North Walk Bridge

Chairman and CEO of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, Clay Fowler

speaks as Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling looks on 

"Thumbs up to Beinfield Architecture PC and Spinnaker Real Estate Partners for inviting transportation engineer Sam Schwartz, “Gridlock Sam,” to Norwalk to talk Wednesday evening about his initial impressions of the Walk Bridge replacement project, as well as his latest book. The principals of the architecture and real estate firms did a community service by elevating the level of dialogue about one of the most critical projects in Norwalk. City leaders are right to consider a consultant to look out for local interests, and to ask for more time to review the state Department of Transportation’s design plan and environmental impact study. The DOT is scheduled to conduct a hearing on the study at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation of the project at 7 p.m., Oct. 6, in City Hall".  The Hour

Transit-Oriented Development takes hold in Norwalk

Colin Grotheer, Associate with Beinfield Architecture, shares the firms' Transit-Oriented Development projects near the South Norwalk Train Station.

Transit-Oriented Development is aimed at revitalizing urban areas by getting people to live in places where they can walk to transit centers such as the South Norwalk Train Station.

On the T.O.D.front - Beinfield Architectures' apartments on Chestnut Street.

The HOUR article here

Bloomfield Apartments in Progress

Beinfield Architecture designed Bloomfield apartments are underway - with ample amenities, modern layouts and a sense of community.  Bloomfield is contemporary, yet borrowing inspiration from the vernacular of the Connecticut River Valley; a unique style owing in part to the industry and innovation that evolved there during the nineteenth century.

Amenities include a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse with media room, a lounge and fitness center, and an interior courtyard with swimming pool and other recreational attractions.

Read Hartford Business Journal article here

Here is a look a beautiful little book on early houses of the Connecticut River Valley -"An Architectural Monograph on Houses of the Connecticut River Valley" 1926

A Closer Look at the Walk Bridge

For those who missed Sam Schwartzs' informative talk at the Maritime Center - 2 articles here
The Hour    Nancy on Norwalk

People's Choice

Beinfield Architecture has 3 projects nominated for the 2016 AIA  People's Choice Awards!

The categories are "the place I'd most like to "-

LIVE

WORK

PLAY

Link here to cast your vote !

The place I'd most like to live - River House 

The place I'd most like to work - Kayak.com

The place I'd most like to play - Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Urban Transportation Planning Expert, “Gridlock Sam,” Coming to SoNo!

Please join Beinfield Architecture Wednesday September 14 in welcoming New York Daily News columnist Samuelson I. Schwartz aka "Gridlock Sam" for a free lecture in his area of expertise - Urban Transportation Planning and Engineering.

Sam will comment on the "Walk Bridge Project" which involves the replacement of the existing railroad bridge over the Norwalk River. He will offer his insight as to how the Norwalk community's interests can be represented in the design process.

The lecture will be held at the Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm / Q&A 7:30-8:00 pm
Details here

Corsair: Art Meets History

Corsair: New Haven’s new upscale 235-unit apartment complex, where "art meets history," is slated to open this fall -
The concept of the Beinfield designed space is an homage to the intersection of contemporary art and historic manufacturing, honoring the bones and artifacts of the pre-existing building which manufactured Corsair propellers among an array of other turn-of-century products. The creative confluence goes well beyond the average apartment complex - with high level attention to detail and innovative reclamation. 
 Read Mary O’Leary's excellent article and link to artists /The New Haven Register- here

Past posts: Bringing it to New Haven, Pushing the Limits; Pushing the Limits- The Sequel

Good Design Reinterprets the Past

Maple Hill Farm / see more

Beinfield Architecture is pleased to be the designers of the featured project "Set in Stone" in the September issue of Connecticut Cottages and Gardens.  

Architect Andrew Bartolotta was called upon to refurbish the 50 acre property in Redding, optimally siting the home to the landscape and  reinterpreting the gentleman's farm, creating a contemporary home with a nod to the past.  read more here

El Segundo / Signature Style

El Segundo in the Ironworks plaza opens officially Tuesday August 30! 

The street scene concept designed by Beinfield Architecture, is a fun decampment from the routine, like a mini-vacation, featuring a mash-up of familiar and global street food and cocktails, and floor to ceiling spray paint art...

Bruce Beinfield aka "The Architagger"

Congratulations! : Co-owners* Shawn Longyear and Andrey Cortes are on a roll

Mixologist Abner and signature  Margarita with a salt and pepper rim

The Hour / review
Special Bonus Music video - with a surprise cameo...
"I Left my Wallet in El Segundo"

*with Chris Hickey and Chris Rasile

Restaurant Week / Stamford

Two Beinfield designed restaurants participating -
August 26 – September 4, 2016

 On Beinfield Architecture's renovation / Bar Rosso

"The restaurant has been totally transformed, sporting a dramatic two story high central dining area surrounded overhead on two sides buy a dining mezzanine overlooking the main dining area and on a third by a private dining room softened behind shaded glass. A dramatic bar of stainless steel set against a backdrop of exposed stone runs the length of the room and leads the eye to the real focus of the place: the imposing steel surround of the woodburning beehive oven. Rustic wood ceilings and exposed stone walls set against high energy glass and steel combine the old and new at Bar Rosso, setting the tone, reflecting the soul of the restaurant. Featuring glorious Italian cheeses and charcuterie, small plate specialties, mix and match bites off a large antipasto menu, wood oven thin crust pizza, homemade pasta and Italian inspired entrees, Bar Rosso is intended as a tour of the Italian culinary scene complemented by a full Italian wine list and cocktails inspired by the authenticity."                                          OpenTable

Barcelona

".... very intimate, even with the loud music playing in the background. Stamford Barcelona features a circular type bar, where guests can sit and chat in the dark ambiance of the inside. Wood plank walls are accented with a variety of framed prints and industrial style light fixtures hang from the ceiling. The menu was displayed in front of you above the bar written on chalk-board..... very cool."                                                 MartiniHunter

"Barcelona provides the energy of the Ramblas with the care of a corner tavern. The perfect spot for a quick bite or a romantic feast, with flavorful tapas, paellas and sangria.Seasonal outdoor seating." MofflyMedia