kta

• Introduction

Kerstin Thompson Architects is an architecture, landscape and urban design practice established in 1994. KTA has extensive experience in public and private projects of various scales typically with stringent time and cost constraints. Clients include Victoria Police, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Monash University and numerous schools throughout Victoria. Our projects have been recognised here and internationally through awards, publications and exhibitions most recently MUMA – Monash University Museum of Art and Carrum Downs Police Station. We have a significant portfolio of individual and multi-residential projects including Napier Street housing: a benchmark for medium density housing included on the Victorian Governments Good Design files. Commercial works include QV Pod H, a 27 level tower in Queen Street, Melbourne and a flagship store for Aesop. The practice also undertakes work in New Zealand where it has designed a boutique hotel in Queenstown and undertaken masterplanning for the University of Auckland.

Current projects include the conversion of the Wertheim Factory into boutique heritage apartments for Lend Lease as part of the Studio 9 re-development in Bendigo Street Richmond.

• Philosophy

Our projects pursue an overall site vision created through an equal consideration of architecture, landscape and building services.

The focus is on the users’ experience and enjoyment of place more than a visual style.

We use architecture to make connections with the surroundings and the community.

Design is necessarily integrated and multi-disciplinary. It requires collaboration between client, consultants and contractors.

The scale of the practice offers clients a high level of principal staff engagement across all projects and at all stages. The studio nature of the practice allows for shared knowledge and continual informal reviews of the work.

We seek cost effective building solutions through a creative use of materials, light and volume, in preference to elaborate finishes or complex detailing. The principles of passive environmental design are inherent in all of our projects and are embedded within the initial siting considerations through to building services, building envelope and landscape.

• Expertise

KTA has experience in all stages of project delivery – from feasibility and masterplanning to contract administration– and across a variety of building types including institutional, educational, residential, commercial and infrastructure projects. Strong interpersonal skills are complimented by years of experience involved in the building and procurement process to provide an in-depth understanding of construction methods, buildability and maximizing design value within stringent cost targets.

We have a proven ability to navigate a successful path through client groups, university, local government and VCAT bodies. Our experience extends to extensive community liaison work and places our team in an enviable position from which to undertake projects of a sensitive nature particularly with regard to planning, heritage and landscape.

We offer services in the following areas:

• Design for heritage / environmentally sensitive sites
• Schematic & Design Development, documentation, contract administration and post occupancy services
• Environmentally Sustainable Design
• Consultant team establishment, leadership and coordination
• Briefing including Client and User group liaison
• Masterplanning & Feasibility studies
• Presentation and visualisation including physical models, photomontage and 3D computer rendering
• Community Consultation
• Management of approvals through local authorities and VCAT

• Principal

• Professor of Design in Architecture, VUW, New Zealand
• Adjunct Professor of Architecture, RMIT University & Monash University
• Design Review Panel Member, OVGA Dept. Premier and Cabinet Victorian State Government

Kerstin Thompson, the principal of the practice, is the design director on all projects. Kerstin leads the design and consultation process, including negotiations with authorities and key stakeholders. Her role is to establish the strategic direction of the project, develop the pre-design thinking – masterplan – and resultant holistic site, landscape and building design. Kerstin’s work has been exhibited, published and awarded nationally and internationally. A committed educator she is also a writer and lecturer with close links with schools of architecture and professional institutes in Australia and overseas. She plays an active role not only within the profession, but also in promoting quality design in the wider community.

• Director of Projects

Kelley is an experienced architect who has worked with Kerstin Thompson Architects since 2003. She has extensive experience in pre-design, briefing, feasibility, consultation and contract administration work for both private and public sector clients. Kelley is currently the Project Architect for our new education project, Birralee Primary School. She was Project Architect for our first MFB project – a new $5.0M Fire Station for Templestowe and the award winning $8.0M 24 Hour Police Station at Carrum Downs.

Kelley works closely with Kerstin during the early phase of the project with a focus on protocols for the project and establishment of the consultant team. She has a high level of delegated authority from the practice principal and may represent the practice from time to time.

As well as an ESD focus, Kelley has a strong interest in residential urban design and the public realm. Kelley is an excellent communicator, both in formal presentation modes and in negotiation. She has gained a great deal of experience in user and client group management in recent years on a variety of projects working with Kerstin.

• Associate Director

Scott is a registered architect with over 12 years experience in the construction industry. He joined KTA in 2007 after having worked in engineering and architectural firms in Queensland, ACT and Victoria on a range of project types across various scales including residential, multiple-residential, institutional, alpine, industrial and infrastructure projects.

Scott is currently Project Architect on the redevelopment of the former Wertheim Piano Factory and former Channel 9 Studios in Bendigo Street, Richmond.

Previous projects include the Museum of Modern Art at Monash University and Marysville Police Station. He was the project architect for Stage 2 of the Royal Botanical Gardens project in Cranbourne. Scott’s substantial technical capabilities are supported by his excellent management and liaison skills.