Four AIA Central Pennsylvania Design Awards Recognize M&D’s Commitment to Excellence
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is proud to announce that the firm has been honored with four design awards from AIA Central Pennsylvania in 2026. The recognition showcases M&D’s breadth of work and ongoing commitment to creating Architecture that is purposeful, engaging and enduring.
This year’s competition was especially noteworthy, featuring more than 50 entries from across the region, the highest number in the program’s history. The projects were thoughtfully evaluated by an accomplished jury from the AIA Queens chapter in New York. Among all participating firms, M&D received the most awards, underscoring our focus on Excellent Architecture that begins with thoughtful ideas, careful execution and confidence in the design process.
Crispus Attucks History & Culture Center Receives Two Awards
The Crispus Attucks History & Culture Center, which opened in York in May 2026, received both the program's prestigious Honor Award and the Members' Choice Award.
The Honor Award represents the highest level of award recognition within the program. The jury commended the project for authentically representing the African American community and its history while carefully integrating sustainable materials, meaningful patterning and a strong design philosophy. Jurors noted how these elements work together to support the center's mission and create a unified architectural response.
The project also received the Members' Choice Award, selected by fellow architects throughout the 13-county Central PA chapter.
This year is the first time M&D entered the project for consideration with its full exhibit experience completed. “The award reflects not only the strength of the Architecture, but also the collaborative vision shared by the Crispus Attucks organization, project partners and community stakeholders,” said Frank Dittenhafer II, President of M&D. “The Center demonstrates that thoughtful, sustainable, and engaging Architecture can create a strong cultural identity while remaining responsive to project goals and budget.”
Two Unbuilt Commissioned Projects Earn Awards
Ballpark Commons received a Citation Award for its innovative vision of a community gathering place. The design includes a public park, a green foreground to the WellSpan Park minor league ballpark in York, with many places for people to spend time and retail spaces naturally folded into the land. Jurors particularly appreciated the project's transformation of a typical commercial pad-site into a pedestrian-oriented destination embedded within a natural landscape. Flexible gathering areas and event spaces further reinforce its role as a community asset.
The Strata House received a Merit Award for its carefully considered response to a dramatic hilltop site. The jury highlighted how the design successfully balances landscape, materiality, spatial relationships and function to create a residence that feels both distinctive and deeply connected to its setting.
Both projects have been previously submitted to the program, but unbuilt designs have historically received limited recognition within the program, with jurors understandably favoring built projects. However, this year’s recognition validates the strength of these unbuilt design concepts the firm has long believed in.
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Four AIA Central Pennsylvania Design Awards Recognize M&D’s Commitment to Excellence