One of the founders of SHoP Architects, Kim Holden established her own practice, Doula X Design, after her experience giving birth led her to become a doula. In this lecture, she will discuss how design can facilitate better birthing experiences, in particular by creating positive environments that support labour rather than inhibit it.

Kim Holden is currently the William Henry Bishop Visiting Professor of Architectural Design at Yale School of Architecture. A registered architect, trained birth/postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor, Holden is focused on the intersection of design and women’s health. Through her work and examination of the role that design plays in shaping the physical, physiological and psychological experience of birth, she seeks to improve outcomes and experiences for women, birthing people and their families. Championing safer, more respectful and more equitable care, her work seeks to reframe childbirth not as a women’s topic but rather as a societal one.

Banner images courtesy Pobby Tan and Katie Jin (1), Raven Xu (2) and Nicole Niava (3, 4)