Firm
WRA Leadership
Original Founders
Joe Rich
Ernie Wright
Mission & Values
Mission: to positively influence people's lives through design.
With over 70 years of experience, we specialize in designing educational facilities and creative learning environments that serve communities across Texas. Our buildings are crafted to inspire discovery and achievement, and we pride ourselves on creating forward-thinking, multi-functional spaces that stand the test of time.
Since 1954, our success has stemmed from the synergy between our people, design innovation, and cutting-edge technology. We focus on delivering high-performing, low-maintenance buildings that meet the demands of today while staying mindful of budgetary pressures and mitigating risk.
Our portfolio spans nearly every type of learning environment, support space, and master plan, ensuring we understand the unique requirements of each district and institution we partner with.
From concept to occupancy, WRA is with you every step of the way. We are a dedicated team committed to breakthrough ideas that pave the way for a better future. We believe in building an inclusive, diverse firm where different talents, cultures, and generations come together, driving the innovation needed for the next great idea.
What keeps us excited every day? It’s the people, our collaborative culture, and the chance to make a lasting impact through the work we do.
History
At WRA, we offer a broad range of architectural design and planning services tailored to the districts and communities we serve.
Expertise
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We understand that the Next Generation school must respond to the fact that students are individuals, and that they learn in different ways, at different rates. Students are stimulated by variety, and the school environment must enhance the learning experience, not be a hindrance.
We design schools that take into consideration what is best for your community. Every community is different and needs schools that reflect the character of the community! We gather input from community members, teachers, parents and even students!
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WRA performs Interior Design in-house. WRA's interiors philosophy is that interior design is integral with the architecture. From the beginning and throughout our design process, we have a view in mind of the eventual interior spaces. For WRA, creating an uplifting interior environment conducive to instruction and learning is more than picking a carpet style and paint color. It's creating a timeless learning environment that engages students each and every day.
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A school district benefits from a better design, a more thorough set of contract documents, and a better building when the architect uses technology to the fullest advantage. WRA Architects stays committed to incorporating the latest proven technologies in order to provide the most complete, efficient, and reliable service to our school district clients.
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Bond planning and bond election public relations are a large part of WRA’s services for our clients. With a 95% bond success rate on more than 100 bond elections over the past 30 years and totaling more than $9 billion dollars.
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WRA assists the school district with technical evaluations of existing facilities, helping assess the effectiveness and usability of current facilities. These studies may be specific project-based analyses, or they may be general needs-based studies across the district. WRA facility assessments produce measurable results for six categories; educational appropriateness, safety and health, accessibility, efficiency, flexibility, and appearance.
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Projecting your District's needs from both an enrollment and instructional basis for the next 10-15 years provides a clearer vision of the long-term use and layout of your facilities. This helps prevent a misstep in the first phase of the proposed building process.
Partnerships
Awards
| Award | Project | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Interiors Showcase Award, Outstanding Design | Crandall ISD Opal Smith Elementary School | 2024 |
| Best Project, K-12 Education, ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Project Awards | Mesquite ISD/Dallas College Natatorium | 2024 |
| Outstanding Project, Learning by Design Magazine | Dallas ISD Career Institute North | 2024 |
| Outstanding Project, Learning by Design Magazine | Crandall ISD Middle School | 2023 |
| Distinguished Building Award, TEXO Const. Assn. | Clariden School New STEAM Labs Addition | 2023 |
| Design Award, TASA/TASB Convention | Mesquite ISD Vanguard High School | 2022 |
| Planning Award, TASA/TASB Convention | Mesquite ISD Vanguard High School | 2022 |
| Outstanding Design, American School & University | Broken Arrow PS Vanguard Academy STEM Center | 2022 |
| Project of Distinction, Spaces 4 Learning Magazine | Blue Ridge ISD Elementary School | 2022 |
| Outstanding Design, American School & University | Community ISD High School | 2021 |
| Outstanding Design, Common Areas, American School & University Magazine | Lancaster ISD Roberts Middle School | 2021 |
| School Transformation Award, TASA TASB | Sunnyvale ISD Intermediate School | 2020 |
| Planning Award, TASA TASB | Sunnyvale ISD Intermediate School | 2020 |
| Elementary School Citation Award, American School & University Magazine | Sunnyvale ISD Intermediate School | 2020 |
| Outstanding Design Award, Learning by Design Magazine | Sunnyvale ISD Intermediate School | 2020 |
| Project of Distinction Award | Sunnyvale ISD Intermediate School | 2020 |
| Outstanding Design Award, American School & University Magazine | Anna ISD Coyote Stadium | 2019 |
| Outstanding Design Award, School Planning & Management Magazine | Mesquite ISD Dr. David Vroonland Vanguard High School | 2019 |
Team
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Steve Shaffer
AIA | Partner
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Graham Baumann
AIA, NCARB | Partner
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Weston Emmert
AIA, NCARB | Partner
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Michael Holmberg
PARTNER
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Roberto Ramirez
AIA, NOMA | Partner
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Mary O’Brien
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C | Partner
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Jason Oswald
AIA | Partner
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Derrick York
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP | Partner
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Seth Stevens
AIA, NCARB | Principal
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Mitch Fuqua
AIA, NCARB | Principal
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Brian Wyatt
AIA, NCARB | Principal
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Justin Bell
AIA | Principal
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Diego Barrera
AIA, NCARB, ALEP | Principal & Director of Design
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Dr. Christi Morgan, Ed.D.
Director of Educational Planning | Principal
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Avi Patel
AIA, NCARB, Design | Principal
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Donovan Howard
AIA, NCARB | Principal
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Alex Fedrick
AIA | Partner