Catherine Clarisse

Catherine Clarisse is a Lecturer at École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Malaquais (ENSAPM), part of Université PSL. She is also a Researcher at LACTH (Laboratoire d'Architecture et de Conception en Habitat Durable) and co-founder of the NAC (Nouvel Atelier Collaboratif) workshop.

• Education: DPLG Architect, ENSAD Diploma, Inter-school DEA in 'The Architectural and Urban Project' from ENSAPB (École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Belleville).

Her research focuses on the intersection of architecture, urban design, and health, particularly the impact of kitchen design on severe obesity. She explores historical perspectives like the Taylorist and 'corset' kitchen models, participatory architecture, popular education, and the relationship between body, space, and domestic environments. Her work with CHRU Lille and Professor Pattou’s team examines how spatial layouts affect eating behaviors, especially in regions with high obesity rates like Nord-Pas de Calais.

Her seminal work Cuisine, recettes d'architecture (2004) analyzes the evolution of kitchens, linking them to gender roles and societal norms. She critiques the central island kitchen model for its inflexibility and advocates for adaptable spaces that prioritize communal interaction, inspired by Charlotte Perriand’s philosophy of emptiness as essential.

She is involved in interdisciplinary collaborations, including urban projects and initiatives for intergenerational dialogue, but argues that kitchens themselves are the ultimate space for such interactions. Her research methodology includes home visits with architects and medical professionals to study spatial behaviors.