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# Transforming Birthspace: A Global Colloquium
Exhibition Alumni Faculty Graduate Student International Student Public Staff
A gathering of interdisciplinary, international experts. A global movement towards healthier, more supportive environments for childbirth. A project focused on reimagining the spaces and places for this deeply meaningful life experience.
Exhibition - Open Space Gallery, 49 McCaul St. Oct 24 - Nov 10
Colloquium gathering - OCADU Waterfront - Oct 25-27
Open Space Gallery 49 McCaul St.
October 24 - November 10, 2025
Open Space Gallery 49 McCaul St.
October 24 - November 10, 2025
Over the past five years, Professor Emerita Doreen Balabanoff, MArch, PhD (Environmental Design, Design for Health, Inclusive Design) has been leading an international SSHRC-funded research project focused on design of the spaces and places for birth, entitled Transformational Change for Birth Environment Design. Research partners are faculty members at University of Florence, Italy (Architecture); Flinders University, Australia (Midwifery); Boston Architectural College, USA (Design for Human Health).
It is a project arising out of her practice-based PhD work – available at [www.doreenbalabanoff.com](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doreenbalabanoff.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7C34372b99f8704a1edf3008dde0c1928f%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638913844216026881%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LHCbZwZbQKq4FDFwkdhdLsbkdJnUit3VXClFw2HlV88%3D&reserved=0). She is a co-founder of the Global Birth Environment Network [www.gbedn.org](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gbedn.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7C34372b99f8704a1edf3008dde0c1928f%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638913844216044306%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4YrNfksn6LlfTAFGg1lqVGg24ElAz510xJDVQ7YI2VE%3D&reserved=0) and the Colour Research Society of Canada [www.colourresearch.org](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.colourresearch.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7C34372b99f8704a1edf3008dde0c1928f%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638913844216060904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6LrR%2FtJf2q3x8mzzGCKTqwgD06MIlTSmCcAHBPZ9C0I%3D&reserved=0)
The project leaders state: The goal of the project is to inform and inspire architects, designers, and policy/planning people about better design for birth spaces and places. The project has relevance for women and their infants and families all across the world. There is a growing research community involved in the movement towards design that can make change for women’s health and wellbeing. In the fields of architecture and design there is a need to bring this agenda forward.
If you are interested, please visit [www.transformingbirthspace.com](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.transformingbirthspace.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7C34372b99f8704a1edf3008dde0c1928f%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638913844216077713%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5cdISjoekCIdQM6HyEDHUbYja2SJ9wZo3wHnP5Da4II%3D&reserved=0) for more information.
An exhibition at Open Space Gallery 49 McCaul St. will open on Oct 24, and the colloquium will take place Oct 25-28. A transdisciplinary roster of exceptional speakers from around the world will be present, and discussing the topic, aiming to prepare a policy document for international circulation.
Participants can purchase tickets for the conference through this URL: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/transforming-birthspace-a-global-colloquium-tickets-1485593703759?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.ca%2Fe%2Ftransforming-birthspace-a-global-colloquium-tickets-1485593703759%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7Ce3ae2af29d5b42933fbe08dde5a30948%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638919210689089799%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=S%2FXUBjoAFCn2p%2FzvUPmwfsIkJpAq5StA7jRNVEdResE%3D&reserved=0)
You are welcome to contact and (Conference Manager) with any inquiries.
The organizers would be delighted to have faculty share this project with students, and student volunteers helping at the exhibition and conference. Please send a message to Alison at if you are interested.
Please note that designers from environmental design, architecture, industrial design, and other design disciplines, as well as artists, are welcome to participate.
Please be advised that OCAD U hosted events may be documented through photographs and video. These images may be used by the University for promotional, advertising, and educational purposes. By participating in our events, both on campus and off-site, you consent to allowing OCAD University to document and use your image and likeness. However, if you do not want us to use a photo or video of you or your child, please don’t hesitate to let us know when you arrive at the event. You’re also welcome to get in touch with OCAD University’s Marketing & Communications office: .
Be mindful of those in our community who have scent sensitivities; please help OCAD U maintain a healthy, scent-free campus.