College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Architectural Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 2
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Architectural Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 3
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Architectural Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 4
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Architectural Engineering
College - Author 5
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 5
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree - Author 5
BS in Architectural Engineering
Date
6-2026
Primary Advisor
Kevin Dong, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Architectural Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
The Tanzania Mbesese Initiative 2026 Senior Project supports a multi-year design-build effort to establish the Same Polytechnic College in Same, Tanzania. This community faces high poverty levels and limited access to higher education, necessitating sustainable infrastructure to support tertiary education. To prepare for the upcoming July phase of construction, an eight-student Architectural Engineering team designed three practical and resilient structures: a Shade Structure, a Water Collection Structure, and a Reusable Scaffolding system. The final design applied structural analysis, modeling, and hand-tool fabrication practice to balance material efficiency with long-term structural durability. The deliverables provide comprehensive construction documentation, complete material takeoffs, and optimized connection details, including hybrid steel-wood trusses with eccentric web joints and dual-sloping rainwater roofs. These efforts mitigate local environmental issues like intense solar radiation and heavy seasonal rainfall while minimizing material waste. Ultimately, this capstone project delivers practical, low-maintenance structural solutions that directly support higher-education efforts and long-term regional development in Same.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/arcesp/264