The firm received multiple recognitions from the American Institute of Architects’ Pennsylvania and Central Pennsylvania chapters.
Architectural Designer Patrick Ness has been with Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects for six years.
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects’ practice of cultivating knowledge and furthering advancement among its professionals has earned the firm the 2019 EPiC Award from the American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania.
The award, which recognizes a firm for creating an environment where emerging professionals can learn all aspects of the Architectural process, has been presented for four years, and Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects has received it every year.
“It’s kind of a big deal,” says Ryan Shank, an Architect at the firm who submitted the nomination. “It basically signifies that Murphy & Dittenhafer makes a commitment to the next generation of Architects, helping to foster emerging professionals and guide them on a career trajectory to getting registered as licensed Architects.”
To that end, the firm provides study materials for the licensure exam, reimburses architectural designers for part of the cost of the test and allows them time to take the test.
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Frank Dittenhafer, President and co-founder of the firm, wants his staff to understand the design process from beginning to end, Shank says.
“We allow Architectural Designers to be very involved in all projects, for schematic design, construction documents,” says Shank, who sits on the AIA Central Pennsylvania board. “We encourage them to be involved in construction administration and bidding.”
Architectural Designer Patrick Ness, who has been with the firm for six years, can attest to that commitment to emerging professionals.
“Frank does a great job of allotting time in projects for you to learn something you’re not completely familiar with,” he says. “You’re constantly intermixed with different things. You could write a proposal for a project, work on a marketing effort, you could be in the middle of Construction Documents or work on Schematic Design, the early stages of a project. At each level you’re forced to do something different.”
The result is a well-rounded and capable Architect.
“All those things come together into an understanding of Architecture in general and promote the advancement of an Architect,” Ness says.
Architectural Designers must log a certain number of hours on the job, equal to about three years of work, before seeking to be licensed. Ness has reached that milestone and intends to take the exam soon.
Individual honors bestowed
Frank Dittenhafer receiving the Distinguished Service Award
• Among other 2019 honors, Frank Dittenhafer II, FAIA LEED AP, received the Distinguished Service Award from AIA Central Pennsylvania for service to the community and the profession.
Shank nominated the leader of the firm. He says the award is not presented every year and is highly regarded in the profession.
“I think Frank really has embodied distinguished service throughout his career,” Shank says. “He’s done a great service to the profession as well as to Central Pennsylvania, whether through his design work or just his involvement in various community organizations and his mentorship of architects.”
In his five years with the firm, Shank says, he has benefited from Dittenhafer’s leadership.
“He is always pushing us to do more, and more design work at a high level,” Shank says. “He encourages us to get involved in the community. If I have questions with a project, I always can go to Frank and he always has very good advice. He’s been through everything.”
Patrick Ness, far right, receiving the Associate Award
• AIA Pennsylvania also honored Ness, presenting him with the Associate Award for exceptional contributions to Architecture and for demonstrating professional and civic leadership.
Previous recipients and the AIA submit nominations for the award.
Ness’ projects cited by the awards committee were designs for the 1741 Club at People’s Bank Park baseball stadium in York, the renovation of the former B&O Railroad warehouse at Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark in York, and the Shenandoah Innovation and Event Center in Schuylkill County.
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects took on the Architecture, Interior Design, & Overall Project Management for the new Bedford Elementary School, and the outcome is impactful.