AIA’s design awards program honors the best work by architects in our region as judged by an out of state group of architects. We are proud to have the unprecedented situation of submitting six projects this year and having all six being selected by the AIA jury. This news, combined with the Central Penn Business Journal recognizing CDA as a “game changer” in early November, makes 2020 a year to celebrate and remember.

We understand that great projects start with great clients, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with so many outstanding people on their projects. We also appreciate that scores of people play a role in doing extraordinary work: the team at CDA, our consultants, and ultimately the contractors involved in our building projects. We are proud to have a jury of our peers recognize our efforts and view it as confirmation that as a design-driven practice, we are on the right path. Having just marked the 11th anniversary of the founding of CDA, we have now received 17 AIA Design Awards and feel the momentum building.

I have also received some unexpected recognition as AIA Pennsylvania’s 2020 Impact Designer as someone that is, “…creating a better world through innovative, scalable and measurable solutions. Impact design is rooted in the core belief that design can be used to create positive social, environmental and economic change…” I was informed that the award was based in part on the New Cumberland Blueprint for Better effort, the Architecture is Art Pop-Up Exhibit at Commerce Tower, the Towards a New/Old Architecture Exhibition at the Susquehanna Art Museum, and my willingness to provide pro bono services to mission-driven organizations including Heartshine and Hershey Public Library.

Construction is underway on a new office building for Ritner Steel in Carlisle, PA that showcases the steel roof framing, while creating a safe open studio environment for staff to collaborate and communicate in more effectively.

Construction drawings are being prepared for renovations and additions to the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland, PA that will convert the vacant 20th century movie house in to a 21st century space for live events featuring a mix of traditional seats with lounge and high top seating areas.

Design is progressing on 260 Boas Street in midtown Harrisburg where a vacant United Methodist Church is being repurposed as multifamily housing in a manner that celebrates the historic architecture while also adding modern loft units and details.

Our involvement in the cannabis sector continues to grow (four active projects in the office now) with the largest being a cultivation facility in Columbus, Ohio where the phase one work will be completed by the end of the year.

We are thrilled that CDA has had a hand in not only sponsoring but also coordinating the upcoming lecture by Annabelle Selldorf on November 19th at 6:30pm. We have long followed Annabelle’s work and even made field trips to see several noteworthy projects by her in New York and Massachusetts. Register at link below:

11/19 6:30pm ANNABELLE SELLDORF AIA Central PA Lecture

Now in our 12th year, I have confidence in the team at CDA and our collaborators (clients, consultants, and contractors) to be able to work together and find solutions to any challenge—solutions for how to work safely together and solutions for how to improve our surroundings. We leverage technology everyday as a tool, but this year has provided affirmation that there is no substitute for being with other people in the same space.

Chris Dawson, AIA