2021 Excellence in Design Awards Winners
Merit Award
Hildreth-Mirza Hall Renovation, Bucknell University
Jury Comments: This renovation/addition illustrates a clever integration of old and new – it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. The decision to remove one portion of the building and replace it with a “book-matched” addition was a clever strategy that creates a cohesiveness to the overall design. The glass link between buildings is an elegant way of joining them, while each maintains its own architectural expression. So although the building has been enlarged, the scale remains in keeping with its context. There’s a deceptive simplicity to this parti, which manages to weave in quite a bit of program, as well as accessibility. The interior offers multiple scales of spaces, as well as a “living wall”, and a green roof and outdoor garden contribute to the sustainability of this project.
Merit Award
African American History Museum
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
Jury Comments: This compelling museum proposal for an urban site grabbed our attention as a new cultural destination for the city. The folded corner of the façade is a strong and striking visual gesture that creates a memorable image for the building. The jury appreciated the skillful way the extensive program fits into a compact footprint. There is a successful integration of diverse materials, including metal panels, which bring texture and character to the interior and exterior of the building. An elegant procession takes the visitor up the main staircase and through a dynamic interior spatial sequence. Skylights at the roof fill the spaces with natural light. Various sizes and shapes of windows allow for unique views from each space back out to the city.
Merit Award
Kazimi Residence
Jury Comments: This design of this unbuilt residence demonstrates a clearly-articulated volumetric composition. The exterior reflects the interior, so there’s a logic of outside and inside working together. The material palette is clean and elegant, and the interiors are filled with light. The integration of kitchen, living and dining is very successful, while each maintains its own place within the overall composition. The bridge that overlooks the entry and dining area is one of the nicest elements, with the 2-story spaces adding openness and verticality to the residence. The large windows throughout the house, which provide views of the surrounding landscape, add to the success of this design.
Merit Award
State College Area High School
Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates -Architects
Jury Comments: The jury appreciated the strong focus on sustainability in this project, and the use of the building as a tool for teaching. The overall phasing and planning that went into the early stages of design for the complex program are well-documented and methodical. The distinct identities created for each “academy” come through in the design. The large scale of the building is broken down on the exterior into a series of smaller structures, creating a more human-scale overall. A variety of materials inside and out add visual interest, and on the interior, the large open spaces are welcoming, with warm materials.. The jury appreciated the clear articulation of the steel structure, with large glazed openings and clerestory windows throughout, which bring in a great deal of natural light, so the interiors feel open and airy.
Honor Award
Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
Jury Comments: This elegant and beautifully-detailed building captured all of the jurors’ attention immediately. It is one of the few projects to “embed” itself into its site, seeming to “grows out of the hill” as a promontory. The brick base roots the building to the earth, while the upper glass portion “floats” above and offers commanding views of the surrounding site. There’s a simplicity and restraint to this building, while also being dynamic and sculptural. The use of materials is highly successful, each playing its own role. There’s a balance to the facades, while also maintaining compositional interest. The interiors are minimal and well-detailed, and the section of the building offers a strong spatial approach to the sloped site. Full glass walls, folded wood ceiling, and a limited material palette all contribute to the refined interiors. The jury felt that this building best satisfied the goals for “Good Design is Good Business” by creating an atmosphere where collaboration and innovation can be achieved within an inspiring work of architecture. Flexibility of use and the creation of an environment where open dialogue can take place naturally were both key objectives for the client, and these were clearly priorities within the design.
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 2021 Good Design is Good Business Award to:
Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
Jury Comments: This elegant and beautifully-detailed building captured all of the jurors’ attention immediately. It is one of the few projects to “embed” itself into its site, seeming to “grows out of the hill” as a promontory. The brick base roots the building to the earth, while the upper glass portion “floats” above and offers commanding views of the surrounding site. There’s a simplicity and restraint to this building, while also being dynamic and sculptural. The use of materials is highly successful, each playing its own role. There’s a balance to the facades, while also maintaining compositional interest. The interiors are minimal and well-detailed, and the section of the building offers a strong spatial approach to the sloped site. Full glass walls, folded wood ceiling, and a limited material palette all contribute to the refined interiors. The jury felt that this building best satisfied the goals for “Good Design is Good Business” by creating an atmosphere where collaboration and innovation can be achieved within an inspiring work of architecture. Flexibility of use and the creation of an environment where open dialogue can take place naturally were both key objectives for the client, and these were clearly priorities within the design.
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. six projects were submitted to the member’s choice award this year. We are proud to award this year’s Member’s Choice Award to:
Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
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.”
