Robert Charest

Biography

Robert Michel Charest is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Elon University. He was the founder and director of Urban Studio, a community-oriented design-build effort, at The University of North Carolina Greensboro. His work with Urban Studio has garnered significant external funding, received numerous awards and has been featured in national as well as international design publications. Professor Charest has also published and presented widely in the areas of academic design-build, quality affordable housing and community transformation. Originally from Montréal, Québec, Robert holds a post-professional Master of Architecture in History and Theory from McGill University, a Bachelor of Architecture from Université de Montréal and a Design Diploma from Dawson College. He is an apprenticed master carpenter and held a builder’s license, from La régie du bâtiment du Québec, prior to establishing in the U.S. in 2003. He has taught at Université de Montréal, in the Schools of Architecture and of Industrial Design, as well as at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture and The University of North Carolina Greensboro. Prior to becoming a scholar, Robert practiced architecture, as well as interior and product design, in Canada, the U.S. and Israel.

Research Interest

Professor Charest's research interests include sustainable architecture. He has published and presented widely in the areas of academic design-build, quality affordable housing and community transformation.