2020 Excellence in Design Awards

Did you miss the awards reveal? Watch the broadcast below!

Member’s Choice Award

Each firm may submit one project to the Member’s Choice Award Competition. Member’s from the chapter have the opportunity to vote for any project outside of their firm. Eight projects were submitted to the member’s choice award this year. We are proud to award this year’s Member’s Choice Award to:

The New Williamsport Regional Airport Terminal

Murray Associates Architects


Good Design is Good Business Award

To be considered for this award, the project shall utilize Good Design to achieve strategic business objectives. This award is intended to recognize projects in which design excellence elevated the resulting benefit of a project to the business, institution, or community, which it serves. We are proud to award the 2020 Good Design is Good Business Award to:

Elementary Coffee Co.

Chris Dawson Architect

Jury Comments:
“The jury debated over this award for a long time; in the end, we agreed it should go to Elementary Coffee Co. This project had a very small budget (less than $100/SF), and makes a great community space. It also gave Elementary Coffee a physical space of their own, separate from the Broad Street Market. This is a small project and a small budget, but the excellent design will have a huge impact for the business owner and for the community. We were very impressed with the work. ”

Honor Awards

Lancaster Country Day School, The Physical Education & Athletics Center

Murray Associates Architects | Honor Award

Jury Comments:
“This project demonstrates excellent interior spaces. The inclusion of the “time-capsule” signed beams, and the reconfigurable furniture, creates a dynamic architecture. The red canopies reflect this energy and accent the roof lines and windows of the existing building.”


Northwest Triangle Innovation District

Murphy and Dittenhafer Architects | Honor Award

Jury Comments:
“This project shows a great aesthetic with a complex program and phasing. It takes advantage of the trapezoidal site shape, give an equal amount of attention to the exterior and the interior spaces being created.”


Penn State Harrisburg – 24/7 Study

Chris Dawson Architect | Honor Award

Jury Comments:
“This project is an excellent example of precise, surgical interventions in an existing space to create something new, and better than, the previous iteration. Spaces are packed in densely, but they don’t feel crowded.”


Elementary Coffee Co.

Chris Dawson Architect | Honor Award

Jury Comments:
“Excellent use of materials, especially the bright magenta wall. This is a big project in a small space.”


Wilbur Chocolate Factory Redevelopment

RLPS Architects | Honor Award

Jury Comments:
“The addition blends with the existing context. The building massing shows an excellent sense of scale. The interior spaces are beautifully done with warm materials, and are very inviting. This is an excellent project.”

Merit Awards

1741 Club

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“Excellent use of materials and contrasting textures. The folded wood ceiling plane helps define the space in a unique way. This project shows great design on a challenging budget.”


Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“This project shows great site plan relationship and takes advantage of the topography. The use of a vertically patterned material, contrasted with the horizontal planes of the roof and entry canopy, turned out beautifully.”


Hancock Community Library
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“The designer’s use of a “simple box” with a well-designed interior succeeds at creating well-defined space in an open volume. The rigidity of the box is balanced by the introduction of just a few angled lines, giving the space visual interest and a sense of delight.”


Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory at Hershey Gardens

Warehaus | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“Blending into its site with a more classical design, this project took a deep dive into a unique program. Incorporating a butterfly atrium and lush landscaping with the more rigid classical aesthetic creates a beautiful contrast.”


Shenandoah Downtown Center

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“Blending into its site with a more classical design, this project took a deep dive into a unique program. Incorporating a butterfly atrium and lush landscaping with the more rigid classical aesthetic creates a beautiful contrast.”


The New Williamsport Regional Airport Terminal

Murray Associates Architects | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“The use of timber and a sawtooth roof to allow sunlight into the spaces creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The extension of the timber to the steel column detail is very nice. ”


Washington County Senior Center

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“This project is an excellent repurposing of an existing building, and demonstrates good use of materials.”


Watkins Residence

Chris Dawson Architect | Merit Award

Jury Comments:
“The light and airy interior spaces contrast with the use of darker metal panels on the exterior. The corten steel pulls from the site context, and a adds a nice texture to the elevations.”

Citation Awards

Fashion Garage

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“This is a great idea and demonstration of concept, It demonstrates potential unused space in the urban fabric.”


Harrisburg City Hall Renovations

Chris Dawson Architect | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“The use of the wood screens in the atrium brings warmth to this Brutalist space, and helps balance the proportions of the openings on each floor.”


Hershey Public Library New Family Entrance & Interior Renovations

Chris Dawson Architect | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“The long canopy that pierces the interior space is a bold move that pays off well. ”


Hidden Still Distillery & Restaurant

Chris Dawson Architect | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“The dark metal panels contrast nicely with the existing brick. The interior renderings show a promising vision with beautiful daylit spaces.”


New East Vincent Elementary School

MAROTTA/MAIN Architects | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“This project demonstrates a good sense of proportion, sensitivity to its context, and use of material.”


Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency

Murray Associates Architects | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“The brick addition does a good job of blending with the Hickock House, and the facade of the addition has a pleasing pattern.”


Courtyard by Marriott at McHenry Row

Warehaus | Citation Award

Jury Comments:
“Architects are frequently asked to design projects on sites that are too small, and especially with prototype-driven projects, this can be a serious challenge. This team found a solution that works well, satisfies the client brand standards, and is aesthetically pleasing.”