What is a Charrette or Charette ?

First of all, in French the spelling of the word is "charrette" and it seems that in English it can be "charette".

A Charette is an intense effort to solve any architectural or design problem within a limited time. From a creative standpoint.

Draw fast! The ability to work with creative team who can bring ideas to a tangible design sketch quickly, allows for instant communication.

A little history

The term "Charette" (little cart) appeared in the late 1800's. Architecture students at the Ecole Des Beaux-Arts in Paris who needed to rush their designs to their instructors, placed their drawings on a cart which was called a charette. Later the word broadened in meaning and came to describe any intense on-the-spot design effort.

— From

source: http://ns2.charette.org/charette_definition.html

photos: http://paulinka-blog.blogspot.co.nz/2009/11/charette.html