Kerstin Thompson is the founding Principal of Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA), established in 1994. She plays an active role promoting quality design within the profession and the wider community. A passionate defender of civic space and advocate for extracting new life from our built heritage, Kerstin has instilled her values in her team to create award winning projects.

Kerstin is a committed design educator who regularly lectures and runs studios at various schools across Australia and New Zealand. She is an Adjunct Professor at RMIT and Monash University, is a regular juror for industry award panels, and an accomplished speaker at events in Australia and internationally.

In recognition for the work of her practice, contribution to the profession and tertiary education, Kerstin was elevated to Life Fellow by the Australian Institute of Architects in 2017 and in 2022 was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Under Kerstin’s stewardship KTA has delivered projects that have received recognition across multiple categories. More recently the Bundanon Art Museum & Bridge received the Sulman Medal (AIA NSW Chapter) and the Sir Zelman Cowen Award (AIA National) for Public Architecture and Sustainability awards both State and National. Queen & Collins received the AIA VIC Chapter’s prestigious Melbourne Prize, along with Interior Architecture, Urban Design and Commercial Architecture awards, and an Urban Design Award from the City of Melbourne, 2022 Melbourne Awards. The 2019 redevelopment of the Broadmeadows Town Hall has been an exemplar of renewal and reuse of existing civic spaces and has been generously recognised through multiple awards including the Victorian Architectural medal in 2020.