So Long, Winter

Winter may be slowly petering out, but there's still time to catch Bruce's article in the Winter 2014 issue of The Beat.

In his article on transit oriented development in the new millennium, Bruce talks about the evolving kissing habits of teenagers, and how Fairfield County measures up in walkable communities in these changing times.

Being a NewYorker myself, transplanted to Connecticut by way of San Francisco, I've never really understood streets without sidewalks, among other idiosyncrasies of suburban life. I'm thrilled for this shift toward more walkable communities, and a statement of Bruce's that  certainly resonated with me was:

"For a walk to be enjoyable, it should offer the pedestrian a fighting chance of avoiding being hit by an automobile."

Thank you, Bruce. Thank you.

You can read more about what Bruce has to say about transit oriented development in your community and the specific changes he's observed, or more likely, had a hand in orchestrating through his architecture and planning efforts throughout Fairfield County.

The Beinfield Preserve | Expansion of the Farm Creek Preserve

Last week, The Norwalk Hour covered the planning of the area to be named, the Beinfield Preserve. Exciting! The Norwalk Land Trust is raising funds to acquire the estuary peninsula where Bruce was intending to build a fantastic little house along the former trolley line in Rowayton. 

Bruce has an excellent eye for interesting locations, and there was concern expressed in the community for this area adjoining the Farm Creek Preserve. Bruce jumped into the debate:

"I heard there was interest on the part of the Land Trust in the property. So I decided, based on my strong interest in the exciting things the Land Trust does, that opening the land up to the public would be a positive thing to do."

photo courtesy of The Hour

Frankly, I think more things should be named after Bruce. And I'm excited about the prospect of the Beinfield Preserve as a protected sanctuary in the community for interesting birds. It's so very "Moonrise Kingdom." As is the fact that The Hour suggests Bruce is calling open season on bird hunting:

Beinfield said the property offers refuge and hunting opportunities for birds such as sandpipers, osprey, herons and egrets.

Don't start polishing your rifles. I'm pretty sure we'll be bird watching on the peninsula.

You can read the whole article here at The Hour.

The Architect

This Fall's issue of The Beat Magazine features our very own Mr. Bruce Beinfield! In Spring 2010 the magazine called him "The Architect of Sono" (that article here) and 3 years later they are still talking about the amazing work he's done in South Norwalk.

Full article link below:
http://fcbeat.com/fall2013/pages32_33.html

Winning!

The results are in.... Beinfield Architecture won two AIA People's Choice Awards!

House in the Meadow won "Favorite Residence" Award and the Pool Pavilion won "Favorite Place for Recreation" Award.

Thank you to everyone who voted and helped us win these awards!

Click here to see the full list of 2013 AIA People's Choice Winners.

Pool Pavilion

House in the Meadow

Modern Garden Folly

Make sure you pick up the latest issue of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens at your favorite design store now! Check out one of our latest projects... It will make you wish it was summer all year around!

Beinfield Wins Best of Houzz 2013!

We are excited to be ranked as Best of Houzz 2013!

Here's what they had to say about the winners:

"The 'Best of' winners are professionals recognized by our community of homeowners and home design enthusiast for delivering exceptional customer service and results, and for creating the most inspiring and innovative residential designs in the past year."

If you're on Houzz, please follow us! If you haven't checked out Houzz yet, give it a try. It's a great resource for everyone who appreciates design.

Bruce Beinfield FAIA Inducted into New England Design Hall of Fame

Last week, after the crazy fall Nor'easter, Bruce traveled to Boston to be inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame! Here he is with his distinguished colleagues. You can check out the great write-up on Bruce's architecture and design philosophy in the current New England Home Magazine, on news stands through January.

 

Beinfield wins AIA CT Drawing Award for 2012

James S. Wassell, for Beinfield Architecture, wins the 2012 AIA Connecticut Drawing Award in the Hand Drawn Category!

The jury was impressive:

John P. Franzen, FAIA, J.P. Franzen and Associates

Kevin Herrick, AIA, The S/L/A/M Collaborative

James Martin, AIA, James Martin Architecture

Su Tamsett, AIA

Leonard Wyeth, AIA, Wyeth Architects, LLC

And they had this to say about the beautiful drawing:

The drawing looks like a cubist pairing. it shows design intent, has a dynamic composition, and instills curiosity in the viewer. It is full of surprises. 

Volo Aviation helps you with your AIA Continuing Education Credits

photography by Michele Scotto Trani

EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc. sponsored this article called, "Translucent Cellular Polycarbonate Delivers Design Versatility" on Architectural Record's Continuing Education site. Beinfield's award-winning project Volo Aviation was featured as a case study. The article also appeared in the August/September SNAP magazine. Check it out at the link above and earn yourself a credit.

We've included some different photos of the project here that we think represent EXITECH's polycarbonate product well. Especially the night versus day facade views above.

Check out Beinfield Architecture in this month's CT Cottages & Gardens Magazine!

In your favorite design store right now...

Why are you still here? Go pick one up...

Dubbed "World's Coolest Master Suite" by CTC&G

Bruce and the firm got a mention in this month's Connecticut Cottages & Gardens "Deeds & Don'ts" for an Old Greenwich luxury residence of a few years ago.  The incredible 7,800 square foot, waterfront home is described as having "what has to be the world's coolest master suite, with a private sitting room and deck."

Personally, I'm partial to the outdoor kitchen, dining area and fireplace.  With that view, and the Beinfield design, inside is outside, and outside is in!

It's on the market, listed with Sotheby's in Greenwich, if you want to call it home.

This Year's Norwalk Tree Courtesy of the Grotheers!

This morning, Andrew and I stopped at the Grotheer residence to witness "the chopping of the tree".  The 40 foot pine that used to grace Colin and Nicole's front yard is now this year's City of Norwalk Christmas Tree!  So exciting!  The Daily Norwalk was there doing a shoot and story you can read here.

Colin shot some video on his iPhone you'll have to see of the tree being lifted basically over his house.  A bit scary, but the professionals had it under control the whole time.  Roxy, however, did not seem pleased.

Come join the Beinfield Team at the official tree lighting at 6:30 pm on December 1st at 50 Washington Street in SoNo.  Hope to see you there!

A great article on Bruce from The Hour



photo from The Hour / Matthew Vinci

 Thanks to The Hour for a wonderful article on Bruce Beinfield FAIA, our fearless and talented leader.  Bruce has been a key player with a very measurable role in the dramatic transformation of South Norwalk over the last 25 years.  We are so glad he continues to get recognized for his visionary urban planning, high level of design, and tireless dedication to the community in which he lives and works.

Check out the article, written by John H. Palmer, here.

Beinfield Designs the First Inclusionary Zoning Project in Darien



745 Post Road | Rendering: Beinfield Architecture PC


The project, located at 745 Post Road, and developed by David Genovese and Penny Glassmeyer, will be the first project in Darien to achieve the 2009 Zoning regulations requiring at least a 12% affordable housing component for buildings exceeding 5 housing units.  

According to the October 13th article on The Darien Times front page, the Town of Darien as a whole is at "approximately 2.4% affordable housing stock."  You can check out the full article here.