Barry founded his Ottawa-based architectural practice in 1969. Until 2020, he led his firm, Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects, in the realization of over 200 projects, including the restoration, rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of over 60 heritage buildings. He has been recognized with 43 national and civic architectural and urban design awards, including 29 for heritage conservation.
He has served on Ottawa’s Built Heritage Subcommittee (2013–2022) and numerous design juries and panels. He is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), a member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals, and a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Barry has been awarded the Order of Ottawa.
Barry obtained his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Manitoba (1961) and his Master of Social Sciences (Urban Design) from the University of Edinburgh (1970). Barry is a heritage and urban design advocate with a deep interest in the history and planning of the National Capital Region. He writes poetry and is a keen tennis player.