Thursday, May 26, 2016

Beinfield Architecture Recognized by AIA for Strong, Cohesive and Sustainable Design


AIA Connecticut 2016 Business Architecture Program granted top honors to Beinfield Architecture for the firm’s design of North American Power’s headquarters in Norwalk, CT
Beinfield Architecture was selected to receive AIA’s prestigious award commending architects and their clients whose projects enhance the built environment and achieve business goals. It is the South Norwalk firm’s 82nd design award.

North American Power wanted to encourage a team-based environment that would reflect the company mission to support and promote
sustainable resources. Their space had to speak of green energy. 


  C.M.O. Greg Breitbart comments  “We are immensely satisfied with the outcome of the project. Our office not only makes a wonderful first impression with first-time visitors, it continues to excite and inspire those of us who have been here for years. In addition to the innovative design throughout the office, the open and transparent layout-no cubicles, glass offices, and a minimal amount of walled space-supports cross-department collaboration and a greater sense of team”.

At the core of the work environment are recycled and sustainable materials branding the North American Power as a progressive 21st century energy provider. The living walls form an indoor garden, with plants that oxygenate the air. Systems are exposed to make the work space more dynamic than the typical corporate cast. Live edge wood conference tables are juxtaposed against classic mid-century modern and industrial pieces to enrich the space.

A mix of furniture from mid-century masters Le Corbusier and Mies Van der Rohe, along with
a collection of reclaimed industrial artifacts make the space feel much more like a sophisticated New York loft than a corporate office. The café was designed as a place to gather around expresso machine, sending a message to the employees that this is both a cool and caring community.

The AIA jury (Don Crowe, AIA, Lucy Diaz, and Karen Lika) noted that “the strong, cohesive design brought the values of the company to life and fostered both collaboration and energy in the work place. The use of materials seemed authentic and reflected the company ethos. The project’s sustainable design supports the company vision of moving toward sustainable energy resources. The project fulfilled the company desire that the space evoke the company’s sincerity in preserving and protecting the environment and speak of green energy.”

Founding Principal Bruce Beinfield FAIA noted that, “this award was a great honor, and is a tribute to a dedicated professional team with the creative skills to find the art in Architecture. Our thanks go out to Corporate Design LLC, who we partnered with on this commission.”


To see more winning projects visit http://beinfield.com/


Thursday, May 19, 2016

Pushing the Limits - the sequel

Install in action of "Dogfight" at CORSAIR, 1040 State Street, New Haven, CT.,
designed by Beinfield Architecture and led by Vivie Lee and Seelan Pather.

More about CORSAIR here and here
More about Raylene Gorum
Art by Raylene Gorum with installation support from Gerri Davis

Friday, May 13, 2016

Pizza Planning

The Contender

How to make a mile and a half long pizza -
2 tons flour
2 tons mozzarella
1.5 tons tomatoes
6,800 oz oil
66 lbs fresh basil

Bake: 11 hours. Bring 100 chefs.
Taking orders on the shores of "Ottavia"
 
This Sunday in Naples, Italy, a team led by Alessandro Marinacci will attempt to break the record for the World's Largest Pizza. 
Current record for largest pizza (named Ottavia) was gluten free and had a total surface area of 1,261.65 m² (13,580.28 ft²) and was prepared by Dovilio Nardi, Andrea Mannocchi, Marco Nardi, Matteo Nardi and Matteo Giannotte from NIPfood at Fiera Roma, in Rome, Italy, on 13 December 2012



The oven
"We have custom-designed five motorized wood-burning stoves on wheels," says Alessandro Marinacci. "A team will drive the oven and the pizza will pass through the two mouths of the oven." The pizza gets baked as the cars drive across the pizza. 


Of further interest: