Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects

08/14/2026

The recently restored and reopened farmhouse at the Horn Farm Center has been honored with a 2026 Preservation Recovery Award from Preservation Pennsylvania, the state's only nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation.

After a devastating lightning strike and fire, the Horn Farm Center chose the harder path: Preserving and rebuilding its 1830s farmhouse rather than starting new. Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is grateful to have played a part in bringing that vision to life by designing a restored historic exterior and accessible, energy‑efficient home for agricultural education and community programs.

Congratulations to the Horn Farm Center team on this well‑deserved recognition. 👏

08/13/2026

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is proud to share this behind‑the‑scenes look from Mid-Atlantic Timberframes highlighting the mass timber work at the Crispus Attucks York History & Culture Center.

From the earliest internal M&D design conversations, our team envisioned a structural approach that would deliver openness, flexibility, and a sense of warmth for the Center’s exhibit spaces. Exposed Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) became the key that allowed the building construction to break from the traditional dark, artificially lit museum/gallery environment and instead embrace a natural, inviting backdrop for storytelling.

Mid‑Atlantic Timberframes was instrumental in bringing our design vision to life. Their team collaborated with M&D and our engineering partners at every stage: concept development, construction detailing documentation, and onsite final coordination with Stewart & Tate Construction. Together, we worked through the challenges of what became the first multi-story mass timber building in Central PA.

We’re grateful for the craftsmanship, problem‑solving, and partnership that made this project possible.

📹 Check out Mid‑Atlantic Timberframes’ video to see the process in action:

Behind the Frame, a video series created by Mid-Atlantic Timberfram...

07/06/2026

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is celebrating a season of new beginnings with a series of ribbon cuttings across Pennsylvania and Maryland that highlight the power of design to connect, educate, and inspire. 🌟

From the Crispus Attucks York History & Culture Center to the Seed to Harvest Building at Rose Hill, each project reflects our ongoing commitment to creating spaces that honor history and strengthen community.

Read more about these milestones and the stories behind them in our latest blog 👇

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is celebrating a season of new beginnings with ribbon cuttings for community-based projects across Pennsylvania and Maryland, and it’s not over yet. 

07/02/2026

As we near Independence Day on the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the team at Murphy & Dittenhafer continues to remember those we've lost. 💌

On this year's Memorial Day weekend, the Four Chaplains Memorial was dedicated at York's Veterans Memorial Park. Despite alternating sun and rain, hundreds gathered for a moving ceremony that honored sacrifice and compassion.

Designed by M&D, the memorial features five pre-weathered Corten steel pylons, etched and engraved to tell the story: Army chaplains Alexander D. Goode, George L. Fox, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington, as well as African American Steward’s Mate Charles Walter David, Jr., who gave up their own life vests, helped survivors into lifeboats, and sang comforting hymns after a German submarine torpedoed the U.S.A.T. Dorchester during World War II.

This is the first memorial to recognize David alongside the Four Chaplains, ensuring their intertwined stories continue to be remembered. 💭

You can visit and engage with the memorial any time. And stay tuned for future improvements that are coming to the park's other memorials, including the Purple Heart Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and All Wars Memorial.

06/22/2026

Mentorship is at the heart of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects. Senior Associate Harper Kvasnovsky, once a mentee of Frank Dittenhafer II, President, is now working to guide the next generation. 👩‍🎓

“It gets them thinking about what they want to do at an early age. And beyond that, it gets them excited about bettering their community,” she says.

👉 Read about Harper’s full-circle journey to mentorship on our blog:

How Harper Kvasnovsky, Senior Associate at Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, pays it forward

06/17/2026

As we welcome the official beginning of summer 2026, we can't help but think about what an extraordinary spring it's been, especially with the recent celebration of the grand opening of the Crispus Attucks York History & Culture Center! 🌟 On April 30, donors and partners gathered for an intimate preview, followed by the community-wide ribbon cutting on May 2, a moment nearly 95 years in the making.

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is honored to have designed this transformative new space, created to celebrate the legacy of Crispus Attucks, tell difficult stories honestly, and welcome every visitor into an environment of light, reflection, and community.

The building’s mass timber structure is the first in Central PA. Its cascading skylit stair, “sliver” neighborhood-view windows, Unity Courtyard, and rooftop learning terrace were all intentionally crafted to connect visitors with York’s history, neighborhoods, and people. 🫂

During the grand opening, attended by hundreds, Crispus Attucks York CEO Bobby Simpson reflected on the generations who built and sustained the organization, reminding attendees to “appreciate, appreciate, appreciate Crispus Attucks’ legacy, involvement, and contribution to the community.”

We are deeply grateful for the collaboration of so many who brought this vision to life, including our team members Patrick Ness, Harper Kvasnovsky, and Ashley Updegraff; Stewart & Tate construction manager; exhibit designers and fabricators; and the countless community partners who supported this seven‑year journey. 💌

Designing this Center has been, in the words of Frank Dittenhafer II, President of M&D, “a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.”

We hope the community continues to explore, learn, gather, and return again and again. Congratulations to Crispus Attucks York on this historic milestone!

06/15/2026

A decade of vision, collaboration, and community pride came together at the recent ribbon cutting on April 30 for the Northern Schuylkill Center for Education, Business, and the Arts (CEBA) in Shenandoah, PA. 🙌

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is proud to have designed a new building that reflects both Shenandoah's rich history and its forward‑looking aspirations. From brick masonry that echoes the surrounding streetscape to a sculptural black concrete block stair tower inspired by the borough's anthracite coal mining history, CEBA's state-of-the-art technology center blends context, craft, and innovation.

More importantly, the facility brings vital resources under one roof: Education, healthcare, business incubation, arts, and community gathering spaces. It’s a place built to spark opportunity in a region ready for renewal.

"Resources like a Culinary Kitchen, Penn State University's classroom, Shenandoah Heath Center, and Maker Space should have a profound effect on the borough's renewal," said Patrick Ness, Associate Principal at M&D.

Influential figures attended the ribbon cutting, including Senator David G. Argall and PA State Rep. JoAnne Stehr, showcasing the project's profound community and regional economic impact. Congratulations to Downtown Shenandoah, Inc., The Primary Health Network, and all partners who helped make this milestone possible.

05/18/2026

At Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, we believe that sacred spaces are more than just buildings. They’re the heart of a community’s history. ⛪🕍

We dove into how we approach faith-based projects with a deep-seated reverence, ensuring historic landmarks continue to serve modern congregations for generations to come.

From the chancel modernizations and exterior improvements at Roland Park Presbyterian Church to the inclusive redesigns and technical upgrades within the Sanctuary at Beth Tfiloh Synagogue, see how we’re bridging the gap between heritage and contemporary worship.

👉 Read the full story on our blog:

When breathing new life into a historic landmark, we prioritize a design philosophy that bridges past and present.

05/12/2026

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects team members recently had the pleasure of attending the Horn Farm Center Ribbon Cutting, and it was a true full-circle moment! 🎀✂️

After four years of working from temporary trailers and nearly five years of rebuilding following the devastating 2021 lightning strike and fire, the event on April 24th marked a celebration of resilience, collaboration, and community spirit.

M&D Architects who designed the restored and renovated building joined Quarry View Building Group, local officials, community members, and the Horn Farm Center board and staff to officially open the farmhouse as the Horn Farm Education Center, which features office, classroom, and multi-purpose space for a wide variety of programs. Everyone celebrated what this restored building will make possible for years to come. ✨

We’re honored to have played a role in giving the farmhouse a new life and helping create a place where the Horn Farm Center can continue its mission of education, sustainability, and community connection.

04/23/2026

Baltimore County is investing in resilience. 💪

New fire and police stations are being constructed to strengthen emergency response and support those who protect our communities every day. Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects is proud to have designed the new Catonsville Fire Station, Wilkens Police Precinct and Essex Police Precinct.

Discover how thoughtful design is shaping safer, more sustainable public safety facilities.

👉 Read the full story on our blog:

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects has been working on a range of projects for Baltimore County’s first responder community, which require a unique Architectural design approach.