7 responses to “You Say “Charette”, I Say “Brainstorming” is Better Yet”

1. Joanne

   July 21, 2006

   Say what? I will save others the troubling of looking up the meaning of the word “Charette”:
   The term “charette” evolved from a pre-1900 exercise at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in France. Architectural students were given a design problem to solve within an allotted time. When that time was up, the students would rush their drawings fromt he studio to the Ecole in a cart called a “charette.” Students often jumped in the cart to finish drawings on the way. The term evolved to refer to the intense design exercise itself. Today it refers to a creative process akin to visual brainstorming that is used by design professionals to develop solutions to a design problem within a limited timeframe.” (from the http://www.library.cmu.edu –Cargengie Mellon Library)
   I hope the use of a term that no one understands will not keep the public from attending this event — sounds fun! Maybe the city will serve croissants?

2. Anonymous

   July 21, 2006

   To enlarge on the original thread, this charrette will be sponsored jointly by the City and the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A). This is a time when local architects, residents, stakeholders, etc. can develop ideas for the area on Howard Avenue between California Drive and El Camino and its important connection to Burlingame Avenue. Public participation is very important.

   We went to a charrette in Menlo Park and also in San Mateo (re Central Park) where the architects/citizens broke up into about four/five groups, came up with ideas and plans during the day and in the evening there was a presentation where each group shared their ideas. It is a very exciting and thought provoking process.

3. Anonymous

   July 22, 2006

   This is a great idea!
   Why have I not heard about it before tonight?
   Is the Burlingame Park Dept. going to give a presentation?
   What time will Tim Richmond be speaking about the tree planting?
   I am looking forward to a follow up by Randy Schartz!
   I hate to bring this lack of interest by the City of Burlingame Council/Management.
   But it happens to often to not be addressed.
   No wonder the Burlingame Downtown Business District has problems.
   Where is the leadership?
   The Howard Ave business district has one Champion!
   I do not know her name. She has an eyewear store on Howard.
   I think she should be the next City Manager!

4. Anonymous

   July 22, 2006

   Thank you.

5. Terry Nagel

   July 23, 2006

   The Burlingame charrette on September 30 will be a collaborative design workshop sponsored by Burlingame in conjunction with AIA San Mateo County, a chapter of The American Institute of Architects. Dozens of architects and other design professionals will volunteer to create design concepts for revitalizing the area around Howard Avenue in downtown Burlingame between El Camino Real and California Drive.

   A key focus of the study will be the side streets and pedestrian ways that connect Howard Avenue to the bustling Burlingame Avenue shopping area one block north.

   Residents, property owners and all those interested will be invited to attend and participate in any or all discussions during the daylong event. The design charrette will produce multiple visions that will help guide the city into the future. Burlingame will begin to create a new downtown specific plan in January 2007.

   Those who have participated in a charrette say it is an exciting and empowering experience. You will learn about some of the latest ideas in urban planning and how they might be applied to Burlingame. Please plan on attending, particularly in the morning, when the brainstorming sessions take place.

6. Anonymous

   July 24, 2006

   Thank you Council.
   I appreciate, as well as others any respocnce.
   This is a great site.
   It is unfortunate that the City of Burlingame web site is lacking… Everything.

7. Anonymous

   July 24, 2006

   We look forward to a new Burlingame City website soon but a friend recommended I look at the Town of Woodside website for a website that really knows how to be meaningful. The website is not particularly pretty but very informative. The site includes their minutes back to 1956, the History of Woodside, The Woodsider (a town newsletter from the desk of the Town Manager) and Community Links are all there on the Woodside Town website . Churches, schools, service clubs, etc. are included on the community links.

   I would love “The Burlingamer”, with up-to-date news from our City Manager on what is happening in Burlingame and include important information on recent council decisions.