Barry Sampson was a registered architect in Ontario and a Fellow of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada. He is also LEED[TM] accredited professional. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and later studied at the International Institute of Design (summersession) in London, England and the Sorbonne in France. While living in Paris, he researched the interrelationship of urbanism and landscape traditions in France and worked with the firm of Deviller Chemetov Architects.

Professor Sampson was a principal in the firm, Baird Sampson Neuert Architects since 1981 and was project director for a diverse array of significant projects ranging from urban design and master plans for large institutions to individual architecture, public space, and heritage projects. Many have received major design and technical achievement awards including: the Erindale Hall student residence at UT Missisauga, which was awarded a Governor General's medal, and Thomas L. Wells Public School, the first LEED accredited public school in Canada and recipient of a prestigious AIA Honour Award in the U.S. He also led a number of successful entries to design competitions including: Cloud Gardens Park in Toronto, which received a Governor General’s Medal, and Old Post Office Plaza in St. Louis Missouri.

Professor Sampson's research interests focused on high performance bio climatic design since his firm designed the popularly acclaimed Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory over two decades ago. Architectural drawings by Professor Sampson have been included in exhibitions in North America and Europe and he was awarded a senior artists grant by the Canada Council in 1989. He served on numerous competitions and award juries and has been a lecturer and guest critic at a number of universities in Canada and the United States.