Atlanta design firm promotes Tampa architect

TVS, an Atlanta architecture and interior design firm, named Ken Cowart a principal of its Tampa office, joining Chris Osborn to lead its local team.

The duo will leverage their decades of design experience and deep relationships within the community to drive the firm’s Florida growth.

Cowert has more than 25 years of architecture and design experience, TVS says. He was previously an associate principal at Behar + Peteranecz Architecture in St. Petersburg.

"His portfolio spans a wide range of projects that have gone on to win multiple local, state and national awards," TVS says in a Thursday press release. "Some of his most significant local work includes the reimagined St. Pete Pier and Sparkman Wharf, as well as multiple restaurants, offices and mixed-use urban centers."

Cowert has architectural degrees from the University of Florida and Georgia Tech. His architectural career began at Walt Disney Imagineering, with stints at Perkins + Will, Chancey Design Partnership and ASD | SKY, according to TVS.

Cowert served in a variety of leadership roles within the community, including the American Institute of Architects; Hillsborough County Public Arts Commission; Barrio Latino Architectural Commission; Friendship Trail Bridge: Vision Before Demolition; and is a member of the Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2020.

TVS has a 40-year history in the Tampa Bay area, starting with projects like Bayport Plaza, home to Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Armani's and Oystercatchers.

Other key TVS projects include the Mote Science Education Aquarium; Midtown Tampa West Tower; The Florida Aquarium renovation; Embassy Suites USF renovations; The Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values at The University of Tampa; Bradenton Convention Center; Florida Cancer Specialists; and Building III at MetWest International.

TVS Tampa serves as an extension of the firm's expanding Atlanta headquarters. Under Cowart's leadership, TVS says, the studio will support all markets served by TVS including convention centers, cultural arts, education, sports, multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, office, retail, office repositioning, workplace, hospitality, multifamily, health care and planning.

TVS was founded in 1968, and is a 100% employee-owned firm. It has offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Tampa.