College - Author 1

College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Department - Author 1

Construction Management Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Construction Management

College - Author 2

College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Department - Author 2

Construction Management Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Construction Management

Date

3-2026

Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Philip Barlow, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department

Abstract/Summary

This paper focuses on the construction and completion of outdoor benches and tabletops for the renovation of the SLO Botanical Garden’s Outdoor Classroom. This project is student lead for the completion of the Cal Poly SLO Construction Management curriculum requirement of a senior project by the project team consisting of Nathan Berger and Jake Galster. The objective of the project is to build two 12’ long benches that allow the SLO Botanical Garden staff to store four bins beneath each bench. The table tops objective to provide students in the outdoor classroom a flat and level workspace that is removable and sits on top of the existing metal great. Throughout the project a key goal was to utilize reclaimed lumber and materials for most of the project, practicing sustainable building and limiting costs to the project team and SLO Botanical Garden. Key lessons learned involved establishing foundational relationships between owner and project team, responsive communication, and adaptability to unforeseen conditions. At the end of course of construction this project achieved its previously stated goal, provided owner satisfactions, and brought lessons taught within the Cal Poly curriculum to real-world scenarios and allowed implementation and growth for the project team.

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