ATLANTA - The Atlanta-based firm that designed the Georgia World Congress Center and the World of Coca-Cola has been named as the architect for the Georgia Aquarium, officials said Wednesday. <br>
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The Marcus Foundation interviewed at least 10 firms before selecting Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates to design the 5-million-gallon facility, considered one of the world's largest aquariums. <br>
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``TVS emerged with a vision, concept and thoughts that really intrigued us,'' said Rick Slagle, executive director of the Marcus Foundation. Slagle said he expected the design to be completed by mid-2003. <br>
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Officials said the Atlanta firm will not design the exhibitions, however. <br>
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Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, made a $200 million commitment to the aquarium project in November. Marcus has said he plans to focus on philanthropy with his estimated $3 billion fortune. <br>
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The aquarium is a way to thank customers and employees who have helped the Atlanta-based company become the nation's largest home-improvement retailer, he said. <br>
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``Because TVS isn't one of the niche architects, they will try to do something different,'' said Ellen Dunham-Jones, director of Georgia Tech's architecture program. <br>
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In addition to the Georgia World Congress Center, the Atlanta company has made a name for itself via its convention center and office building projects, including the ``King'' and ``Queen'' towers at Concourse office park in Dunwoody. <br>
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The 268-person company also is winner of the American Institute of Architects Firm award. <br>
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``We're still high from having gotten the commission,'' TVS architect Ray Hoover said. <br>
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Earlier this year, the Marcus Foundation said it intended to buy a 14-acre tract west of Atlantic Station, a residential and retail development near Georgia Tech, to house the new aquarium. <br>
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``We hope to finalize (the purchase) in the next 30 days,'' Slagle said.
