GARRY THOMPSON
DIRECTOR
B Arch [Hons] Deakin, AIA, MPIA, GAICD
As an architect and urban designer, what drives Garry is the impact exceptional design has in shaping the urban environment and the human spirit. “Building vibrant communities through the design of ‘a place’ or ‘a city with meaning’ is integral to my role as Director of Y2Architecture.”
Garry is a registered architect, urban designer and a specialist educational facility designer with over 20 years’ experience dedicated to the creation of engaging learning spaces and vibrant civic spaces with meaning.Garry’s interest in educational theory and practice as applied to learning environments has seen him design and facilitate many a significant pedagogical change toward progressive and innovative learning environments in many primary and secondary schools in Victoria. Garry has delivered a diverse range of projects and is widely published. Many of Garry’s projects have been recognised through architecture, education and related industry awards and his practice Y2Architecture recognized internationally for leading contemporary educational facility design.
Garry firmly believes “design and education is the cornerstone to building vibrant, innovative and resilient communities.”
An experienced facilitator, Garry brings a high influence and deliberative engagement strategy to move stakeholders through a series of critical thinking and self-reflective steps toward formulating long-term outcomes with tangible results. Garry has a unique skill to engage with stakeholders with diverse views on sensitive and critical issues and to find solutions for their challenging educational problems. Garry is comfortable to take on the difficult conversations and to draw focus to finding effective outcomes through positive decision-making. Garry continues to maintain an active role outside of Y2Architecture representing architects within the industry including serving as a current Councillor at the City of Boroondara. Garry brings years of experience and qualifications in organisational governance within private, government and not for profit organizations.
Garry is an active Member of the Australian Institute of Architects, Planning Institute of Australia, Association for Learning Environments Australasia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has previously been a member of the state education policy advisory panel reporting directly to the Minister for Education and currently consults to the Victorian Education Department in strategic policy development and procurement, and as a design review panellist for many capital works projects.
Garry continues to be inspired by the enthusiasm of his employees, their willingness to push the boundaries and to innovate. “I hold firm that the success of Y2 is through the success of each and every individual in this practice to aspire to create vibrant communities through design.”
In his spare time he shares his time with his family and close friends. Occasionally he competes in competitive bicycle races and dreams of owning a Harley Davison.