1. an intensive collaborative work session in which a group of designers, architects, or planners rapidly develop solutions to a design problem
Usage: also spelled 'charrette'; from French, originally referring to a cart used to transport students' work during École des Beaux-Arts competitions
2. a public meeting or workshop in which community members collaborate with professionals to develop plans for urban or environmental improvement
Usage: common in urban planning and architecture

Examples

• The architecture firm organized a charette to redesign the downtown plaza with input from local residents.
• During the charette, the team sketched multiple concepts in just two days.
• Community members participated in the charette to help shape the new park design.
• The design charette brought together architects, engineers, and city planners to solve the traffic problem.
• We held a charette last week to brainstorm solutions for the waterfront development project.