Earl S. Swensson, founder of architecture and interior design firm Earl Swensson Associates (That; Nashville, Tennessee), died on January 20 at the age of 91.

A native of Nashville, he founded his company in 1961 and has contributed to several health care programs in the city, including Centennial Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Vanderbilt, as well as Bell South Tennessee State’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Headquarters (now AT&T Building) and Noah Liff Opera Center.

Swensson holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) and a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech (Virginia Tech). After college, he joined Perkins & Will’s Chicago office as a Senior Design Architect.

In addition, Swensson is a co-author, master planner, industrial engineer, real estate developer, teacher and university lecturer, author, artist, international speaker and holder of several patented designs. During his career, he has accumulated several honors and awards, including the William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee State Institute of Architects and was elected to the American Institute of Architects.