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

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.

Elegant Rowayton Transformation

There's tons of buzz about Beinfield Architecture's work around town. Today, we're excited to share with you the cover story of the March issue of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens featuring the incredible transformation of the historic Winthrop House.

March 2014 cover featuring the historic Winthrop House transformation

The cover of CTC&G calls out 'The New Traditionalists', and that's an excellent notion for this team of Glazer, Beinfield and Whitcomb.  So much of each of their portfolios gives a reverent nod to the local history while harmoniously modernizing the aesthetics and comforts of today's design technology.

The article describes just a fraction of the care and effort that went into the conversion of the old, run-down hotel, originally built in 1848. It's current incarnation, completely respectful of it's history, houses 3 luxury condominiums in the heart of Rowayton.

Easing the run-down building into modern times wasn’t easy. “The bones of the building were there, but there was very little salvage,” says Glazer. “The building had been bastardized, and it was much like an architectural dig.” Glazer tapped Bruce Beinfield as the architect for the building, and together they worked closely with the Norwalk Preservation Trust and the Rowayton Historical Society to work around the historic constraints and match the detailing of the original Italianate structure with wraparound porches as closely as possible. “It was such a mess of a structure, it needed major surgery,” says Beinfield. “We needed to rebuild it from scratch. But based on its historic nature, we had to work around some of the features.”

Can you believe this was ever considered an eye sore? This porch is just calling your name for afternoon cocktails and a meditative view of the sound.

You can read the article about the historic Rowayton Winthrop House on the CTC&G website here. 
Photos by Keith Scott Morton from cottages-gardens.com

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!

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.

 

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...

Check out Beinfield Architecture's spread in Architecture Leaders Today!

There's a great Beinfield Architecture spread in the July/August issue of Architecture Leaders Today!

We are honored and thrilled to have several of our most recent projects featured in the magazine, and we'd love for you to check them out. With Volo Aviation, a new home in an idyllic orchard, the Stepping Stones Museum for Children, and Tappo Restaurant, there's a wide range of our work and influence. It's really exciting when all that hard work comes together in one place.

You can access the online version of Architecture Leaders Today through ISUU right here (and you'll find us if you skip ahead to page 55).