The designing mind of Sam Andras

2WR. A number and two letters helped transform the look of building design in Columbus and beyond. What began as Wyatt Watson Cole Architects in 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama, was eventually the jumping off point for a new direction.

Sam Andras received his architectural license in 1996, and five years later, he and two partners, Scott Allen and Michael Starr, opened a branch office in Columbus, expanding the firm’s presence by opening 2WR Architects. In 2010, they bought the Columbus operation and became 2WR + Partners.

Developing a designing mind

“My dad started Andras Engineering and Construction in Lakeland, Florida, where I grew up. I was 10 years old, and he took me and my brother to project sites. I learned to wire houses and worked with carpenters. That experience sparked my interest in taking a drafting class in high school. During that time, I assisted an architect to gain experience and worked on construction jobs during the summers,” said Sam Andras.

Sam attended Polk Community College and later graduated from Florida A & M. He was a single father during his last year of college and working full time.

That kind of drive and meeting responsibilities is imperative for succeeding in the highly competitive business of architectural design, but success also hinges on a strong portfolio and business acumen, not just design talent.

Striving for achievement began for Sam even before that. Growing up in Florida meant racing sailboats up and down the Eastern seaboard with his family.

“We also sailed Hobie Cats and won a National Championship. My mom crewed for me, and my brother crewed for my father.”

Whether on the water or on land, Sam Andras has experienced the taste of victory.

Sam’s footprint on Columbus

If you travel from North Columbus to the heart of Uptown, the impact of 2WR and Sam Andras is visible in many iconic buildings and businesses, focusing on an intricate blend of physical and cultural elements that compose the city’s character and functionality.

“One of my favorite projects was the Cunningham Conference Center at Columbus State University. It was a change for the campus, but one that opened up the windows in seeing what was to come,” said Sam.

The Cunningham Conference Center is an upscale, modern facility that provides the resources and support to ensure successful meetings and conferences of all sizes. Within the confines of a comfortable and relaxed learning environment, the center features a 5,432 square foot banquet hall, five seminar rooms, and an executive boardroom.

“I also loved working on the John P. Thayer YMCA project. We did a modern take on a historic theme.”

Once again, the design opened windows to see what was happening inside the building.

“Within six months of opening, the membership level rose. I like to think that it was because members recognized something alive in that building.”

Those are two examples of many, including the mixed-use redevelopment of City Mills, Aaron Cohn Middle School, Char-Broil Corporate Headquarters, and the John B Amos Cancer Center, to name a few.

“Growing” a new business

The 2WR brand grew into a nationally recognized architectural and interior design practice with another office opening in Colorado in 2012.

“We were up against some major companies in Colorado. One day a client called who had a cannabis grower that needed help with his growing facility. Then another grower called from Massachusetts. The decision was made to specialize in something that no one else was doing at the time, and we opened another office in Massachusetts,” explained Sam.

Colorado legalized recreational weed in November 2012, when voters passed Amendment 64. The amendment officially became part of the state constitution on December 10, 2012, allowing adults 21+ to possess and consume cannabis.

In 2013, 2WR + Partners created a subsidiary company, MJ12 Design Studio. Before you jump to conclusions, MJ12 doesn’t mean what you think. The name came from Majestic 12 (or MJ-12) a purported secret committee of 12 top government, military, and scientific officials formed in 1947 by President Truman to manage extraterrestrial life and technology.

Both entities were sold to urban-gro, Inc. (Nasdaq: UGRO) in 2021, a company dedicated to serving Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA). The acquisition created a fully integrated architecture, engineering, and cultivation system for the CEA market.

The 3rd Act

In January 2024, 23 years to the day after opening 2WR, 3rd Act Architecture and Consulting, P.C. was formed. While they still support all sectors of commercial design and construction, their primary focus is helping clients achieve success in the cannabis industry.

Just as Sam Andras has always done, every aspect of providing design and build for the cannabis industry has been addressed.

“If you are buying from a dispensary, indoor cultivation is more pure. With 40 years of experience in design and building, we are helping with early design projects to achieve a grower’s vision in an affordable way.”

It’s not just about a paycheck for Andras. It’s about how hemp helps those who are struggling with health issues.

“I’ve met parents with children who have 10 seizures a day. What we do with providing the ultimate cannabis growing facilities may open the door for funded research and provide a positive impact on cancer treatment.”

What’s next?

One of the most significant pieces of legislation to emerge from Georgia’s 2026 legislative session was Senate Bill 220. The breadth of its bipartisan support signaled broad legislative consensus that Georgia’s medical cannabis program, long considered one of the most restrictive in the nation, was overdue for reform.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act, into law on May 12, 2026. The legislation took effect on July 1, 2026, marking the most significant expansion of Georgia’s medical cannabis program to date.

The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission has awarded licenses to several companies, with production facilities including Fine Fettle in Macon and TheraTrue based in Atlanta. Sam Andras was instrumental in the design and building of both facilities.

Cannabis production is vital for its rapid economic growth, generating significant tax revenue, creating jobs, and driving agricultural innovation. It holds major therapeutic value for treating conditions like chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea, while industrial hemp provides sustainable materials for textiles and construction.

“I’ve worked in many different industries throughout my architectural career, including health care, higher education, corporate, industrial, and recreational. Cannabis is an amazing and fascinating industry.  When I entered it, there were no architects designing cultivation and/or manufacturing facilities.  Even today, the number of experienced architects is extremely limited,” explained Andras.

For more than 40 years, Sam Andras has contributed to the growth and success of communities in Columbus and across the country. His design and building expertise have left an indelible footprint, but his latest venture might be one of his most important contributions.

Why it matters

In a medically and/or recreationally legal state, cannabis cultivation is strictly controlled.  The nutrients used are analyzed for safety.  Plants are tracked from seed (or clone) to sale.  Testing labs must certify products before they can be put on a shelf.  Individuals have a choice over what strain and genetic profile they’re selecting.  It’s a different world.

According to Andras, the industry is saturated with firms offering “free” or discounted design, only to recover those costs through the sale of materials, systems, or equipment.

“At 3rd Act, we take a different approach. We exist to protect capital in an industry where misaligned design decisions quietly erode pro forma performance. By connecting business planning, operations, and facility design, we ensure outcomes aren’t left to chance.”

“High-performing facilities don’t happen by accident.  Rather, they are the result of professional services delivered through a proven, disciplined roadmap that aligns vision, execution, and long-term performance.”

As of early May 2026, the cannabis industry in Georgia is undergoing a major, state-sanctioned transformation focused on expanding medical access while heavily regulating the previously “wild west” hemp market. While full recreational legalization is still illegal, the medical cannabis sector is experiencing legislative momentum, shifting from one of the most restrictive programs in the nation toward a more accessible model.

The industry is creating thousands of jobs in cultivation, processing, and retail. The legal, regulated, low-THC oil market is growing, with six licensed cultivators and 16+ dispensaries active as of early 2026. The program serves approximately 34,500 registered patients and 2,200 caregivers and is growing.

Architectural designers are visionaries who combine art, functionality, and social responsibility to shape human experience. Sam Andras is a “drawer of dreams” who merges imagination and materials.

Sam and his wife, Victoria, a retired schoolteacher, now live in St. Augustine, Florida. He says she made him a better man. Victoria may have been the teacher, but Sam is writing the latest chapter in the growth of the cannabis industry.

Patients diagnosed with specific debilitating or end-stage health conditions depend on medical cannabis. Those patients with cancer, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, veterans with PTSD, Lupus, and other illnesses depend on quality medical cannabis for relief. Sam Andras is committed to building the facilities to provide help.