Norfolk, Virginia-based Work Program Architects has opened an office in Raleigh, its first outside the state of Virginia.
The Fayetteville Street office will be led by managing principal Sam Bowling, along with architect Rae LeClair.
WPA has 26 employees, including 11 licensed architects. It’s known for work in civic, cultural, housing and educational sectors. Fast Company recognized WPA last year for its innovation and social good. It has four architects licensed in North Carolina, including co-founder Thom White, and seven architectural and interior designers who can work in the state under the supervision of those licensed in North Carolina.
“The Triangle region has a deep appreciation for thoughtful design, and we are equally excited to work in halo communities of the region,” Bowling says in a release. “Good design can play a critical role in strengthening infrastructure, preserving history and supporting long-term growth.”
The expansion continues the firm’s growth. In 2025, WPA was included in both the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and among Inc.’s Best Workplaces.
Bowling served as lead architect on several high-profile WPA projects, including the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab, which earned multiple design awards and was featured on NBC’s morning show “Today.”
A Kansas State University graduate, Bowling has been with WPA for more than seven years.
“Sam and Rae are the perfect team to lead this new office and expand the geographic impact of our mission,” says WPA co-founder and CEO Mel Price. “Their backgrounds in designing for the environmental challenges of the present and future, along with their ability to balance input from multiple stakeholders, position WPA to lead on many of the key issues shaping the built environment in the Triangle region.”
LeClair, a graduate of Virginia Tech University, served as the lead architect on the Blue Ridge Community College Truck Driving Range, a project that supports regional workforce and economic development in Virginia.
