The son of Marjorie and Dr. Malcolm Beinfield, a renowned surgeon, he was raised in Westport, then headed west. Bruce graduated from the University of Colorado – Boulder, then earned a master’s of architecture with honors from the University of Colorado – Denver.
It was there that he discovered how architecture could channel and create emotional energy; where he obtained a Colorado ID that he carried in his wallet until his last day, and where he became a lifetime Colorado Buffs fan.
In 1983 Bruce and his wife Kathleen moved to Rowayton. That same year, he founded Beinfield Architecture.
Bruce Beinfield
His obituary says, “He devoted his life to harnessing architecture to make a positive impact on his community. He did not design merely for convenience or efficiency, but for people and context, using architecture to honor the traditions, rituals and mythology of a place.”
Norwalk, particularly Rowayton and South Norwalk, was the greatest beneficiary of his vision. Most recently, he dedicated his efforts to redesigning Darien’s Corbin District.
Bruce designed hundreds of homes, offices, apartment buildings and museums. Beinfield Architecture has received more than 100 design awards, including 44 AIA awards. He drew and designed nearly to the end of his life, includng the conversion of The Mill, on Richmondville Avenue, into condominiums.
His family says, “He was funny, creative, expansive and he always thought for himself. He was often a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He loved Pink Floyd, clams and rare cheeseburgers. He loved his family, gardening, nature, his home, his rituals and the life he built for himself. His work will forever be his greatest passion, and the world is more beautiful because of it.”
Bruce is survived by his wife Carol; children Alex, Carolyn and Suzanne, and their spouses; 7 grandchildren; sisters Harriet and Liz; his first wife, Kathleen; and a beloved community of extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Lynn.
A memorial service will be held at The Platform SoNo on July 20th (4 p.m.)
My deepest sympathies to his family and the communities that will miss his vision going forward. I was privileged to have worked with him. He was too young to leave us so soon, but his legacy will live on long after this sad day.
In 1973 I helped open a radiology office beneath Dr Malcolm Beinfield’s office- Mal was a founding partner of Surgical Associates of Westport. Mal was smart, a mentor, had a great sense of humor and was a very good at what he did (surgery).
Your post on Bruce Beinfield’s passing indicates he was a chip off the old block and that he inherited all of his dad’s wonderful qualities (except maybe for the architecture gene).
Sincere condolences to the family on the loss of Bruce Beinfield.
May his memory be a blessing.
It’s a sad but honorable function to be the bearer of such bad news. Thanks Dan for fulfilling that mission. Another key component of “Old Westport” has joined the ages. Came right out of left field.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. His father, Dr Beinfield was my mother’s surgeon when she got pancreatic cancer. The story she told was that after surgery, he apologized for giving her an incision that looked like a frown. She told him that from her point of view looking down, it was a smile. He laughed and took out his pen and drew the rest of the face on her stomach. That gesture meant a lot to my mother. I’ll never forget it or how kind he was to me, who at 22, was trying to be her caretaker. It’s clear to see that not only a sense of humor but also compassion was definitely passed down to Bruce. My sincerest condolences to his family.
What a great loss ! Bruce was an amazing, out of the box architect. I had a chance to meet him and know him over the years, I greatly admire his work. Definitely a one of a kind, wonderful and kind person. You will be missed, Bruce. Rest in peace.
Some sixty-five years ago, Bruce was my student at Coleytown Elementary School. He was in all ways a pleasure to teach. In those days not every father attended parent-teacher conferences, but Dr. Beinfield showed up, and he treated me, a beginning twentysomething teacher, with respect. (After he was filled in on his son’s excellence, he proved highly informative on knees and would later operate successfully on one of my husband’s. < Important apostrophe—one knee/husband.) Over the years I enjoyed reading reports of Bruce's great work in Norwalk. A privilege to get to see a terrific kid become an impressive man.