REMEMBERING TVS CO-FOUNDER,TOM VENTULETT
We’re saddened to share the passing of our co-founder, Thomas W. “Tom” Ventulett III, FAIA.
When Tom co-founded Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates in 1968 alongside William H. Thompson Jr. and Raymond F. Stainback Jr., he brought an exceptional level of design prowess and an unwavering belief: architecture is ultimately about people. Over the next five decades, Tom’s vision, artistic hand, and character as a true Southern gentleman helped transform Atlanta from a regional hub into a vibrant cultural capital of the South, while guiding TVS onto the global stage.
Shaping Atlanta’s Civic Heart
Long before Atlanta’s rapid international expansion took flight, Tom and TVS were at the forefront of the city’s built identity. Within ten years of the firm’s founding, Tom had touched nearly every significant gathering place in Atlanta’s core. His visionary leadership and deep civic relationships paved the way for defining public landmarks, including the Omni Coliseum (1972), the Georgia World Congress Center (1976), and Omni International (1976, later the CNN Center). Together, these projects established the foundation for Downtown Atlanta’s Sports and Entertainment District, eventually creating the 1996 Olympic Park infrastructure, the Georgia Dome, Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with several other transformational projects following in the district.
As the city grew, so did the firm’s architectural footprint – expanding beyond Downtown with projects like Promenade and the King & Queen towers, to the Woodruff Arts Center and former AT&T buildings in Midtown.
A Global Legacy in Public Assembly
Tom’s innate understanding of public spaces positioned TVS as an early pioneer in convention facility design. Under his guidance, the success of the Georgia World Congress Center sparked a convention practice that grew into one of the most prolific in the world, leading to transformative public assembly projects across the globe from Chicago to Beijing with McCormick Place and the New China International Exposition Center.
In recognition of this mastery of human-scaled public spaces and design rigor, TVS was honored with the prestigious AIA Architecture Firm Award in 2002—the highest honor the American Institute of Architects bestows upon a practice.
Artist, Mentor, Teacher, Founder, and Friend
Beyond his architectural achievements, Tom was an accomplished watercolor artist whose paintings breathed vitality, light, and warmth into early project concepts. His deep appreciation for hand creations led him to teach watercolor classes, passing this skill and passion to other architects. Even after stepping back from daily practice, he maintained an active office presence until 2017, serving as a cherished mentor to generations of designers.
Tom was equally committed to ensuring the firm’s future belonged to the people who built it. By transitioning TVS into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), he created a permanent platform for architects and interior designers to own their practice and thrive. His passion for the profession extended back to his alma mater, the Georgia Tech School of Architecture (ARCH ’58), where he established the Thomas W. Ventulett III Distinguished Chair in Architectural Design to bridge practice and education for future generations.
Honoring Tom’s Memory
Tom showed us how much care, thoughtfulness, and generosity could be expressed through design and human connection. His legacy is etched not only into the skylines of the cities he helped build, but in the culture of the firm he founded and through his cherished role as a husband, father and grandfather. TVS will host a tribute to celebrate Tom’s life and professional legacy at our Atlanta office on Thursday, October 1, 2026. If you’d like to attend, please connect by calling.
Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with Tom’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his extraordinary life.