Earl S. Swensson, founder of architectural and interior design firm Earl Swensson Associates (ESa; Nashville, Tenn.), died on January 20 at the age of 91.
A native of Nashville, he founded his firm in 1961, which has contributed several healthcare projects in the city, including Centennial Medical Center and The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, as well as the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, BellSouth Tennessee Headquarters (now the AT&T Building), and Noah Liff Opera Center.
Swensson earned his bachelor’s degree in building design (with honors) and his master’s degree in architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech). Following college, he joined the Chicago office of Perkins&Will as a senior design architect.
Additionally, Swensson was a coauthor, master planner, industrial engineer, real estate developer, teacher and college lecturer, writer, artist, international speaker, and holder of several patented designs. He accumulated several distinctions and awards during his career, including the William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Architects Tennessee, and was elected a Fellow of The American Institute of Architects.
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