Kirsten was born in Leuven, Belgium and studied at the University of Applied Sciences, Hildesheim, Germany where she specialised in International building.
She gained professional experience in the Netherlands with Architectenbureau Marlies Rohmer (AMR) progressing from junior architect to team leader. She joined Sergison Bates architects in 2011 and since then has worked on projects ranging from urban studies to private and public housing, schools and cultural buildings.
She has been an Associate since 2014 and became Associate Partner in 2023. She has led a variety of projects in Belgium, including three care homes in Flanders and a large urban regeneration project in Antwerp, and is currently leading the design of the new performing arts centre in Leuven, Belgium.
Kirsten has been awarded the M J Long Prize for Excellence in Practice for her work on De Korenbloem care campus in Kortrijk, Belgium.
She is a member of RIBA and of the Dutch Architects Registration Bureau.