Design Charrette for Commercial Buildings
Architects, designers, consultants, engineers, managers, contractors, and occupants can use the charrette process to save time and money by identifying and solving problems before design and construction begin. On this page you'll find a description of the charrette process and a handbook to assist in this process.
What Is a Charrette?
A charrette, or workshop, is ideal for key stakeholders to generate and discuss ideas early in the whole building design process. A charrette helps cut across boundaries when working on a large, collaborative project. Participants are encouraged to offer design ideas and solutions to problems that are outside their areas of expertise. They can address organizational differences, reduce adversity, verify decisions, and expedite the design process.
Charrette Handbook
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, developed a guide to walk you through the charrette process. The guide provides tips on planning and conducting the charrette. It also provides sample checklists, agendas, and supporting material. Learn more by reading A Handbook for Planning and Conducting Charrettes for High-Performance Projects, Second Edition (PDF 2.5 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
In addition to the handbook, you can also view sample PowerPoint slides to use during the charrette and reports from past charrettes.
- PowerPoint Presentations (ZIP 577 KB)
- Sample Charrette Reports:
- Boston National Historic Park Greening Charrette (PDF 1.2 MB)
- UNC-Asheville New Science Building Greening Charrette (PDF 2.1 MB)
- Greenprints Charrette, Southface Energy Institute New Building (PDF 2.3 MB)
- NCSU High Performance Charrette College of Design (PDF 1.7 MB)
- Integrated Design Charrette for a Sustainable UniverCity Community