Our unique design process, called the Charette, is an intense work session where the Client and the team of designers work together to produce a successful design solution.

Simply put, the Charette is a communication process where ideas are documented and communicated visually through drawings, diagrams, models and other graphic tools.  Concepts are tested and evaluated in an open team format with the Client as the integral design team member.

The design team prepares for the Charette in advance by collecting and analyzing important design criteria such as site utilities, codes, traffic patterns, zoning information and other design criteria specific to your facility.  We then document these facts and create an initial “first blush” concept in order to initiate a dialogue about the project and uncover pertinent design issues early in the process.

We then conduct the Charette at your facility.  Projects are planned and designed on-site with the collective experience and expertise of a multi-disciplinary architectural, engineering and client team working together to formulate an appropriate solution to a unique project.  In this format, ideas are easily tested and evaluated.

The Charette is divided into five categories:
     GOALS – definition of the project
     FACTS – documentation of the project
     NEEDS – identification of the project
     CONCEPTS – synthesis of the project
     SOLUTION – development of the project

The advantages of our on-site Charette are:

• Immediate access to existing site conditions
• Concentrated focus of the design team
• Immediate feedback to Client / User issues
• Effective team dialogue
• Experience of local culture / character of project
• Ability to meet goals unique to your facility