A collaborative design session involving diverse stakeholders to rapidly generate design solutions. This intensive, focused process typically transpires within a limited timeframe, promoting brainstorming and the convergence of ideas. For example, a community planning initiative might employ this technique to develop proposals for revitalizing a downtown area, drawing upon the expertise of architects, residents, business owners, and city officials. The aim is to produce a cohesive design plan through open communication and shared decision-making.
The practice offers significant advantages, fostering innovation, accelerating the design cycle, and increasing stakeholder buy-in. By bringing together individuals with varied perspectives, it encourages a holistic approach to problem-solving. Historically, the term originated in 19th-century France, referring to the cart or handcart used to collect architectural students’ final drawings at the cole des Beaux-Arts. Students would often continue working on their designs until the last possible moment, even while on the cart, demonstrating the pressure and intensity associated with the process.
