ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609230036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
The charrette, with all its self-important urgency, is a tradition among architects. It originated in 19th-century Paris, where teams of design students at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts competed for academic honors. The teams worked around the clock in the last days of competition, but when their renderings were to be presented, there would inevitably be final touches left undone. The drawings were loaded onto a small wooden cart, or charrette. The best student renderers would climb in, as well. Work continued en route from the studio to the judges' quarters.
These final, most intense moments came to be known as "en charrette" and they are recreated on college campuses like Virginia Tech's even today.
LENGTH: Short : 22 linesby CNB