Lombardo's Deli and Bistro Design Award

This expansion and renovation project at Lombardo’s Deli and Bistro received an AIA Central PA Citation Award at the September 24, 2026 Awards Show. The project added new life and function to an iconic Lancaster city restaurant, expanding its program and revitalizing its look for a modern era and customer. One juror noted,

[Lombardo’s Deli and Bistro is] a vibrant, business-driven expansion that strengthens Lombardo’s identity and the family’s legacy. The addition of dining, retail, and event spaces creates flexibility while establishing a clear identity and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor gathering areas.

Citation Award

A custom tile sign inside a modern delicatessen This design award is given for projects illustrating a high level of design conceptualization and implementation. Each new space has been curated to reflect the welcoming, sophisticated aesthetic associated with the Lombardo’s experience. The new bar serves as both a visual and functional centerpiece, drawing guests inward from the entry and creating a lively gathering place throughout the day. The chef’s lounge is designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from business lunches and cocktail receptions to retirement celebrations, family events and special occasions. A members-only cigar lounge offers a more intimate and refined experience within the Lombardo’s expansion, distinguished by its rich material palette and carefully crafted detailing.

Congratulations to all involved in the project!

More project details can be found in our Portfolio section.

A modern bar inside of an upscale restaurant, featuring natural tones and LED lighting above the bar — Above the bar hangs a hand-crafted lighting feature, displaying the drink selection as an integrated design element rather than a conventional menu board.

An upscale restaurant with indoor outdoor dining via a raised garage door — Situated between the new bistro and the existing restaurant, the outdoor space bridges the two eating experiences.

A formal dining room with a demonstration kitchen in an upscale restaurant — The architectural detailing in the Chef's Lounge emphasizes comfort and versatility, with integrated audiovisual capabilities, custom millwork, and a material palette that reflects the restaurant’s contemporary aesthetic while honoring its longstanding traditions.

A cigar lounge inside an upscale restaurant, featuring a dark, moody interior and backlit ceiling — Architectural elements in the Cigar Lounge are deliberately scaled to foster a sense of enclosure and comfort, with custom millwork, integrated humidor displays, and layered lighting systems contributing to the lounge’s distinctive identity.