ABSTRACT
Tanzania Build is a project within the The Collaboratory. The project is a work in progress where students and faculty work with professional practices to develop the designs for a technical college in rural Tanzania. To achieve this, the Collaboratory was developed to initiate design thinking and develop ideas which consider community and traditions, the climate and environment, plus longevity of space and structure. The Collaboratory is a studio which takes the traditional model a step further and blurs the lines between academia, practice, and community. During the process students develop an understanding of local customs, and social norms in the region, research available technologies and materials, learn the mission and vision of the partnering non-profit organization, then integrate all aspects into their design proposals. Following the design stage, students work on-site in Tanzania with local builders, craftsman, and community members to fabricate and construct buildings for the future technical college.
