We were shortlisted in the international Amber Road Trekking Cabins competition for our Freedom submission which merged our passions for the environment and architecture in a deceptively simple wood framed design rooted in the surrounding beauty and cultural history of Latvia.

As a design-driven practice we are grateful when our work receives design excellence awards, as it did in October by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The Keystone Building (1875) Residential Conversion, also known as Fifteen at Twenty-Two (F@TT), was recognized by a jury of architects from Santa Fe who noted:

“A brilliant intervention to a concrete structure. This conversion executed with taste and restraint provides calm and comfortable living spaces while expressing the original reinforced concrete frame pays homage to the building’s original structure.”

The same jury commented on our Garage Bay Dance Studio Renovation in a 1939 garage when awarding it with a design excellence award:

“This is what architecture should be…and be about. A real eye-opener! Bravissimo!”

Highlighting 3 recently completed CDA designed projects, The Ladd-Hanford Chrysler Renovations transformed a dated and dark labyrinth of spaces for 4 time clients into a contemporary, brightly lit, and a simply organized dealership.

K&W Engineers moved their offices from a business park in the suburbs into the historic King Mansion along the river in Harrisburg and we balanced a respect for the 1925 architecture with “surgical” interventions that create an open and modern office environment for a valued site/civil consultant.

At Susquehanna University’s CCMA Rehearsal Room Renovation we leveraged the opportunity afforded by a roof system failure to upgrade a squat banal but heavily used music space into a tall visually expressive space with improved acoustics by exposing new steel trusses and wood roof decking and a rebuilt wall of windows connecting the student musicians to the surrounding campus.

CDA, now in our 9th year, has been busier then ever. Our last newsletter slated to be sent out in January ’17 was not released until summer ’17 as evidence that our clients’ needs are paramount. Despite the ramped up pace of the office we also understand the importance of mentorship and have two interns this year, Maya Elliot and Autumn Sariano, and our intern from last year, Ava Helm, is continuing her studies at Syracuse University School of Architecture. The extended CDA family took time out this summer over a weekend to visit Storm King, Mass MOCA, and The Clark Institute to feed our hunger to experience great artworks and architecture. George Gard, CDA Emeritus, designed the recently completed Phase 3 Mass MOCA renovations including several James Turrell long-term installations.

Chris Dawson, AIA