Designing for Space

Pluto probe getting on a mission to deliver the unknown next week

 When Beinfield Architecture designs for “space” we have a lot less to worry about than NASA  but the process is still the same: to embrace the agility and aptitude necessary to cycle through  and understand constraints and possibilities. Kayak.com, award winning international online travel  search engine asked us to fit-out an 18,000 sq. ft. commercial space for  their new office headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

James  Wassell’s rendering of the digital virtual conference center

The challenge was to craft within the shell of the existing 

historic structure a headquarters facility with the goal of providing  brand reinforcement and to empower Kayak to have enhanced connectivity to New York City’s well educated millennial population.

For our architectural intervention we took advantage of the soaring interior space initially designed by James Gamble Rogers and embraced the raw nature of the salvaged building, while referencing air travel, which is at the core of Kayak’s business.

A client request to suspend a used jet fuselage in the hanger like building shell was challenged by the difficulties of getting the aircraft into the historic structure.  Alternatively it was decided to build a new fuselage from within.  

The existing space was adapted to maintain the sense of building as artifact.  Exposed brick, metal and concrete trusses, as well as remnants of the buildings more ornate former life is preserved.  Rooms constructed of metal and glass house
offices and support space. 

A suspended catwalk bridge leading to digital conference center

The fuselage suspended from reinforced trusses houses a digital virtual conference center that connects headquarters to the satellite offices around the world. A suspended catwalk bridge access further emphasizes
the floating nature of the room/object.  
 
Enclosed executive offices are housed on the first floor, while the upper levels are given over to the work stations, collaborative spaces and meeting areas.
 
To maintain an in-progress character, all mechanicals are exposed.  Ductwork rises
through the building from the basement becoming an architectural element in the composition. 
The oval shape of the spiral duct reinforces the aeronautics aesthetic. 

The reception desk was fabricated from re-purposed plane parts.  It’s smooth surface along with polished concrete floors, shiny metal and glass contrast with the rough brick and concrete structure that still shows impressions from its original wooden formwork.  Plywood is used as a cladding element, lending its organic warmth to the space.  

Beinfield Architecture delivered! Let’s see what the Pluto mission brings!   

The reception desk  fabricated from re-purposed plane parts

The New Horizons Pluto mission will help us understand worlds at the edge of our solar system by making
the first reconnaissance of the dwarf planet Pluto and by venturing deeper into the distant, mysterious
Kuiper Belt – a relic of solar system formation. 

Beinfield Designs KAYAK.com's Incredible Stamford Headquarters

Beinfield Architecture PC recently had the privilege of working with KAYAK.com, the leading travel search engine on the Internet, on their new Stamford, Connecticut headquarters. The concept and the final product are fantastic!

Mark P. Goodwin, AIA led the design team in the conversion of the abandoned south side Police Station.  Located on Market Street, in the heart of the neighborhood that's quickly becoming the Brooklyn of Fairfield County, this project was destined to be cool.

The glass enclosed conference room sits beneath the jet fuselage constructed inside of the space. Incredible, right?

The open catwalk above connects the upper level work areas, and the design's use of glass creates a completely transparent office environment while maintaining distinct uses of space.

The steel framework, exposed brick, and jet fuselage are referential of the building's origins and the fantastic innovations of the travel and transportation industries.

It's clear KAYAK is continuing on it's own path of innovation with this space. What an amazing opportunity to work there each day! The Beinfield Team was honored to design this great new addition to the Stamford South End community.

Photos by Robert Benson Photography

A Sneak Peek...

The inside of the future headquarters of Kayak.com is reminiscent of the "bones" of an airplane fuselage. Apropos, no?

Harlan Social Opens Tonight!

Yes, tonight, people! Mark and Bruce went to check out the food and atmosphere at our latest restaurant project last week. And for you I have a sneak peek of Harlan Social, located on the south side of Stamford. Go there. Tonight. And let us know what you think.

 photo courtesy Michele's iPhone

 photo from Harlan Social's FB page https://www.facebook.com/HarlanSocial

office photo

Beinfield presents: restaurants on the boards...

On this hot summer Friday, we'll leave you with an in-house, James rendering of one of our current projects.

This depicts Harlan Social, which will be located in the Lockworks building at Towne Street over on the south side of Stamford. This 'gastropub' will be opening soon and I can't wait to test it out along with a few other local restaurants on the boards here including the modern, Middle Eastern restaurant, Safita, opening in the old firehouse on the Saugatuck River in Westport.

We hope you've enjoyed this week's little recap of some recent Beinfield designed restaurants. Did you take advantage of Restaurant Week in South Norwalk or your neighborhood?

Beinfield Presents: Bar Rosso | Stamford CT

Bar Rosso is the more casual, rustic venture of the founders of Napa, also located in Stamford, Connecticut.  

Beinfield Architecture designed this open, inviting restaurant, where the pizza oven is purposefully brought out of the kitchen into the dining area and celebrated with a steel enclosure.  The exposed brick wall on one side is opposed by a stone wall on the other, while the rustic wood finishes throughout create a feeling of warmth that reflects the menu and the Bar Rosso culture.

Check out Bar Rosso and let us know what you think. You'll find it on Spring Street, one of the most fun places to be in Stamford during the spring and summer!

Beinfield Presents: bartaco | Stamford CT

Beinfield Architecture is proud to be involved in the design of the bartaco restaurant and bar located in Stamford, Connecticut. Sasha and Andy, the co-founders of bartaco, have a strong vision and design aesthetic for their restaurants. This adventure into their iteration of an authentic Baja taco stand is no different. 

The bartaco team has this to say about the well-orchestrated dining experience:

Inspired by the beach culture of Punta del Este and Buzios in South America, bartaco brings upscale street food with a coastal vibe in a relaxed environment.  With an open-air and inviting atmosphere, the spacious dining room complete with high ceilings draws attention to the unique paintings and photographs decorating the walls. 

The minimalist decor is light and breezy, with the air of a rustic beach resort. Crisp colors of blue and white are accented with old painted clapboard walls, hanging basket weave light fixtures, ceiling fans and fig trees.

As a regular patron, I have to tell you that an excursion to bartaco feels like being transported out of Fairfield County on a mini-vacation to some relaxed, music-filled, beach town where everyone is suddenly cooler just for being there.

And the drinks are incredible. Try a chipotle infused vodka with seltzer and a touch of agave, or find something fresh, and delicious on the menu that suits your personality. Then come back and tell me about your favorite drink...

(all photos courtesy of bartaco and the bartaco FB page)