variety in design
When we at Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects named our “top 10” impactful projects from our 40-year history, we knew the reality was much wider. That list could have easily been doubled—which is precisely what brings us here today.
To round out our 40th-year celebrations, enjoy 10 more impactful and diverse Architecture projects designed by M&D. These projects, most of which have received design awards, confirm the variety in design (from scale to usage) that we continue to be involved in today.
Zimmerman Center Waterside Pavilion
What: When you’re at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, just cross Long Level Road and you’ll find yourself at a waterside pavilion along the Lake Clarke region of the Susquehanna River.
The details: This pavilion, where the Chief Uncas River Discovery Tours begin and end, provides a space for people to gather for onboarding, educational programs, and more. “It’s not very large, but it’s very impactful,” said Frank Dittenhafer II, President of M&D.
The story: Dittenhafer added that the wood timber pavilion with low stone walls, educational panels, and incorporated seating by the water is setting-appropriate yet announces the organization’s presence in a visibly contemporary way.
Prince George's Community College Lanham Hall
What: A banal 1970s building that college students in Largo, Maryland once simply “put up with” was transformed into one they couldn’t wait to spend time in.
The details: PGCC’s Lanham Hall now includes a new 120-seat elliptical-shaped lecture hall, glazed circulation pathways with soft seating, a new courtyard for gathering, and plenty of daylight via surgically inserted new linear windows.
The story: “After the renovations and additions, it became the place on campus where everyone wanted to meet, gather, and take selfies,” said Dittenhafer.
Hancock Library
What: A modest community library in Hancock, Maryland adds on to the existing community park site in a seamless and inspiring manner.
The details: The comfortable new one-story pavilion-like building fits right in with extensive glazing and interior wood components.
The story: “It’s a very nice place for children and families, and it really takes advantage of the park setting that it’s in,” said Dittenhafer.
Severn Center
What: We designed a new building in Severn, Maryland to serve community members from young to old, inclusive of space for the local Boys and Girls Club, a new Senior Center, and shared multi-purpose space for everyone to intermingle.
The details: “We translated the intergeneration program architecturally into three ‘boxes’ with more defined rooms and spaces within each section,” Dittenhafer explained about the design. The center also includes a multipurpose gym/recreation center, plus multiple community art installations such as a mural, mosaic-tile clad seat walls and the signature curvilinear entrance canopy (featuring real community members’ cutout handprints).
The story: This project, funded in part by community grants, is an excellent example of how to achieve strong Architectural objectives utilizing modest financial resources and without structural gymnastics.
Har Sinai Synagogue
What: When the Har Sinai Synagogue wanted to move their Maryland location, we took on the project, which included designing a new building on a challenging sloping site and required very creative design approaches.
The details: While regular weekly services required no more than 450 seats, high holy days required close to thrice that. “There’s an intimate front portion of the sanctuary that opens up in the rear through a series of sliding pocket doors to accommodate almost a thousand movable seats,” explained Dittenhafer.
The story: M&D worked with artisans on crafting interior elements like the Eternal Light, Ark, and Pulpit. The project scope also included the design of an entire day school at the lower level of the new building.
Swenson Engineering Center Penn State York
What: This renovation and adaptive reuse project was named after the family of an original Harley Davidson founder/investor from York.
The details: The project required transforming the lower level of the main classroom building by designing a new entry (where there previously was none) and creating new collaborative learning spaces and electro-mechanical maker spaces that eclipse the traditional learning lab.
The story: “This is not your typical classroom,” said Dittenhafer. “Moreover, it was isolated. We connected the Swenson Center to the rest of the existing building’s circulation path, making a major difference for users of the space.”
CODO 28
What: Our original “Impact” list featured CODO 241. This is the second CODO project, located at 28 North George Street, which also functions as a mixed-use residential building but has a personality of its own.
The details: The linear building had a front section that was in such bad shape it needed to be torn down. This left a complete gap, which M&D’s design filled with a three-story addition to knit right into the rest of the brick warehouse construction. The historic tax-credit project features market-rate apartments and a small first-floor retail space. “It has a very strong contemporary identity with copper panels, glass, and an outdoor water feature,” said Dittenhafer.
The story: To make it financially viable, M&D needed to minimize interior corridor space in the 200-foot-long building. “We came up with a way that each unit had its own entrance and stairs down to the adjacent street,” Dittenhafer explained.
Boonsboro Library
What: An early community library project for M&D in Boonsboro, Maryland.
The details: M&D took a linear approach to laying out the spaces for this library, setting the tone with a community multi-use suite at the entrance, a nearby children’s area that’s readily accessible, and an open loft reading and stack area with plenty of sunlight coming through perimeter glazing and windows.
The story: “It was one of our first library designs and proved very successful,” said Dittenhafer. “It knits itself comfortably into the character of this small western Maryland town and has space for all the expanded programs and amenities they need.”
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York
What: UUCY acquired a property on South George St. out of what was left of the Grier Hersh Estate. While the stunning Carriage House still stands, the mansion was torn down, so the church sought a two-story structure on the sloping site.
The details: The new church is nestled near the Carriage House, with the lower level featuring a series of religious education rooms and the upper level serving as an open, flexible congregation meeting area. “The sloping roof forms a great acoustic environment, and loose seating allows for a variety of musical, speaking, and related programs.”
The story: “I’m very proud of this unique design and that it was built for under a million dollars, even though it would likely cost more than that today,” said Dittenhafer. “We used conventional construction techniques like pre-engineered truss joists and wood stud load bearing wall framing, creating this wonderful, light-filled, white-painted space that maximizes potential.”
“c o d”
What: Directly next to our offices at the Hotel Codorus in York City sits our second building, dubbed “c o d” which M&D renovated to fit our needs and now uses for our interior design studio and more.
The details: The building featured a former used furniture store in the front area, former small engine repair shop in the middle, and former concrete block garage in the rear. After looking at a lot of options, M&D tore down the crumbling garage for additional parking and used the rest of the space for the interior design department’s own suite as well as a large meeting and collaboration room that seats up to 60 people. There’s also a space for M&D’s Architectural materials library.
The story: The name “c o d” originates from none other than the fish. Cod are unassuming bottom feeders that one can easily catch by throwing a hook overboard, but they were once the currency of the globe. The intentionally multilayered name could also be short for the neighboring Codorus waterway or an acronym for “collaboration of designers.”
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To round out our 40th-year celebrations, enjoy 10 more impactful and diverse Architecture projects designed by M&D. These projects, most of which have received design awards, confirm the variety in design (from scale to usage) that we continue to be involved in today.