Thomas W. Ventulett III, Cofounder Of TVS, Dies At 90

Thomas W. Ventulett III, co-founder of the Atlanta-based architecture firm TVS—founded as Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates in 1968—died peacefully in late August. He was 90 years old. The architect and artist led from the heart, centering his practice around that the idea that great architecture starts with the people it serves. This ethos yielded much success for the firm, which has long been recognized in Interior Design‘s Top 100 Giants of Design.

Known for shaping Atlanta’s skyline and built identity, Ventulett ‘s work stretches across the core of the city’s Downtown Sports and Entertainment District with landmarks like the Omni Coliseum (1972), the Georgia World Congress Centre (1977), and Omni International (1976, later the CNN Center)—projects that established the framework for the 1996 Olympic Park infrastructure. Leaving his mark throughout Atlanta, Ventulett also worked on projects with a personal connection, propelling the growth of his alma mater, Georgia Tech, by designing its Technology Square, which positioned Midtown as a leading center for innovation.

The Life and Legacy Of Thomas W. Ventulett III

TVS, which Ventulett cofounded alongside William H. Thompson Jr. and Raymond F. Stainback Jr., has grown into a global authority in public assembly and civic design in the nearly six decades since it was established.

“Tom was a visionary, gentle leader who believed deeply in the power of design to bring people together,” said Janet Simpson, president of TVS. “He taught us that architecture begins with human empathy. His legacy is etched not only into the skylines of the cities he helped build, but in the culture of the firm he created and through his cherished role as friend, mentor, and teacher.”

For instance, TVS’s design of the Georgia World Congress Center, which reflects Ventulett’s mastery of civic architecture, continues to influence modern convention center design today. From New York to Beijing—think: the Javits Center and the New China International Exposition Center—Ventulett’s work stands as a testament to his legacy. Honoring the firm’s immense civic impact, TVS earned the AIA Architecture Firm Award in 2002.

An Artist At Heart

Ventulett’s proclivity to sketch extends well beyond the built environment. He often turned to watercolors to create vibrant studies of flowers in addition to buildings. Always eager to share his skills, he taught watercolor classes to architects and colleagues, keeping alive the craft of hand drawings. That passion extended to Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture, where he established the Thomas W. Ventulett III Distinguished Chair in Architectural Design to bridge practice and education.

“Tom understood that architecture is ultimately about people. It is about the people who imagine it, make it, inhabit it, and learn from it,” said Julie Ju-Youn Kim, William H. Harrison professor and chair, School of Architecture at Georgia Tech. “Tom’s influence will remain part of the School of Architecture for generations to come.”

Ever committed to the people who built TVS alongside him, Ventulett maintained an active presence around the office as a mentor until 2017. He also initiated the firm’s transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1979, which culminated in 100% employee ownership by 1998. That decision set the tone for a collaborative culture that continues to flourish at TVS, which employs a staff of 150 people.

Ventulett is survived by his children, Jonathan Ventulett, Holder, and Thomas P. Ventulett, along with six grandchildren, and preceded by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth “Beth Ventulett (2019). TVS will host a tribute to celebrate Tom’s life and professional legacy at its Atlanta office on Thursday, October 1, 2026. A public funeral service celebrating Ventulett’s life will be held at Atlanta’s Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, designed by Ventulett himself, at 1 p.m. on October 3, 2026.

Explore Projects, Sketches, and Watercolors By Thomas W. Ventulett III

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