Since 2008, the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism has organized an annual interdisciplinary design charrette. Drexel students from all majors and departments can participate, be part of a design team, and contribute their expertise and unique point of view. The charrettes typically draw 50 to 100 students and require three to four days of intense, creative brainstorming and collaborative design.

Cameron Sinclair (co-founder of Architecture for Humanity) orchestrated the first charrette in 2008 and it considered health and educational facilities for the desperately poor in selected locations across the globe. In the succeeding years, faculty have organized the charrette, selected projects for disadvantaged neighborhoods in Philadelphia, and invited outside experts and faculty to assist the students and critique their final projects. In 2011 the charrette was coordinated with the professional designers that were hired to create the Drexel campus master plan. The 2017 charrette was led by the partners of Snohetta, and focused on sites located along the 34th street corridor linking Drexel to the Powelton and Mantua neighborhoods.

Faculty members observed that architecture and interiors students often assume leadership positions on their design teams while integrating the strengths and assets of other team members whose backgrounds can range from nursing to film to law. Through their design abilities, they become advisors and facilitators while respecting various viewpoints and approaches. They are able to negotiate the needs of different users or stakeholders and convince people without design backgrounds of the importance and the positive impact successful design can have on the environment. Many students comment in their post-charrette evaluations that their participation was one of the most enjoyable and empowering learning experiences of their college career.

Below are summaries of our past design charrettes; the most recent events have been compiled and archived on the college's ISSUU:

Charrette 2023

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Led by Höweler & Yoon, a design-driven architecture and creative studio known for socially and environmentally engaged work, the 2023 charrette examined ecoliteracy as a catalyst for design. Students explored how architectural interventions can translate ecological systems into tangible experiences, fostering environmental awareness, shaping behavior, and advancing design as a tool for cultural and environmental change.

Charrette 2019

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Guided by studio GAON partners Lim Hyeung Nam and Roh Eun Joo, the 2019 charrette explored how pedestrian only spaces could reshape Philadelphia’s urban fabric. Students proposed feasible, site specific interventions in Center City and University City that emphasized narrative, accessibility, sustainability, and the transformation of everyday public space.

Charrette 2017

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Led by Snøhetta partners Craig Dykers and Elaine Molinar, the 2017 charrette focused on neighborhoods surrounding Drexel University, with sites along North 34th Street in Mantua and Powelton. Students developed feasible, community-centered urban interventions that addressed local needs, accessibility, sustainability, and identity while imagining forward-looking public space improvements.

Charrette 2011

Paths|Portals|Places: Re-Thinking the Drexel Campus focused on student-defined issues, challenges, and ideas for the University City Main Campus. Drexel students from various majors and departments joined to be part of a design team.

Charrette 2010

The 2010 Design Charrette focused on the design of public urban transportation in the city of Philadelphia. The projects considered issues of community involvement, access, outreach, environmental sustainability and urban renewal.