Top 11 achitecture studios in Tanzania

Tanzania has close to 200 registered architecture firms. The architecture in Tanzania is primarily focused on heritage development and preservations, as much as possible. Traditional building in major cities of Tanzania was linked to the country’s Swahili heritage, which was a story told in the designs of many buildings. However, as much as tradition is vital for the people of Tanzania, development and keeping up with the changing trends in architecture is considered equally important. 

Some of the architecture firms embrace a mixture of traditional Swahili designs and modern architecture to come up with a structure the locals can appreciate without feeling like they are losing their identity to modernization. The Old Boma is one of the historical buildings in Dar es Salaam built in the1860s that has both modern and its original designs merged to come with a stunning outcome.

Hab Consult Ltd

This company has been providing architectural consultancy services in Tanzania for more than 30 years. Local professional architects came together, with diverse ideas on how they can influence the type of buildings that will bring a positive change to Tanzania. Besides having local input on the designs and projects, the company occasionally seeks the support of international partners to come up with a solution on some of the projects whose designs need brainstorming so that the best solutions can be found, especially if the client’s demands are complex.

The projects that Hab Consult Ltd has undertaken include;

• PSPF Plaza, Dodoma
• Mloganzila Teaching Hospital, Kibaha
• LAPF Headquarters, Dodoma
• Benjamin Mkapa Ultramodern Hospital, Dodoma
• Golden Jubilee Towers
• Mbweni Apartments, Zanzibar
• Mapinduzi Monument Zanzibar
• NSSF Building, Mwanza
• ZSSF Office Pemba
• Tanzania Judiciary, High Court Mara

Epitome Architects

This architectural firm has a team of 28 professionals made up of architects, landscapers, project managers, interior designers, and engineers who work together to come up with appealing designs for different environments. The company’s focus is not just about designing appealing buildings, but when put in charge of the development, the focus is building within the stipulated time and budget.

The projects under this company include;

• Wakulima House
• CCBRT
• Bank of Tanzania, Mwanza
• NSSF Headquarters
• Mkwawa University
• Residential house in South Beach
• International Labor Organization (ILO) Office
• Akwa Ibam
• Hombolo Apartments

IPA Architects and Designers

IPA Architects is a London based architecture firm that has a branch in Tanzania. The Tanzania portion of the business was established in 1993 in Dar es Salaam. It started as a small satellite office that has since grown with major projects in Tanzania and the great East Africa region.

This company employs both local and international architects to oversee their projects. It has ten principal architects with additional support staff. IPA Architects has been involved in the design of residential, commercial, public, education, and leisure facilities.

Some of the projects in this company’s portfolio include;

• The Canadian High Commissioner’s Residence
• State House Annex
• Karimjee Apartments
• Exim Tower
• NMB Bank Headquarters
• DT Dobie Phase I and II
• Services Apartments at Protea Hotel Dar es Salaam
• Vamizi Lodge
• Volkswagen Showroom

K & M Archplans (T) Ltd

This firm was formed in 1978 by two partners. It became a limited liability company in 1996. It was initially registered in Kenya before it expanded to the other countries in the region, including Tanzania. This company’s focus is in town planning and the best designs to suit the environment in which the building will be situated. Besides providing architectural design, this company also focuses on interior designing and construction management.

Some of the projects under this company’s portfolio includes;

• Tanzania Parliament
• Mwanza Market
• Kilimanjaro Towers
• Tanzania Ports Authority
• East African Community Headquarters

QD Consult (T) Ltd

This privately managed architectural firm was founded in 2006. It is registered with the board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. The staff is made up of Tanzanians with different fields of specialty, which include design, preliminary planning, building rehabilitation, project management, building designs and construction supervision. The architects in this firm focus on the aesthetic appeal of the designs, the building design rules that govern the zone where the construction will take place, as well as how functional the building is.

The projects under this company include:

• Mvumi Mission Nursing Training College
• New Bus Stand in Korogwe Town Council
• Modern Market in Korogwe Town Council
• Commercial Building for Howarth Consultants
• Residential Apartments, Lubaga
• Luxury Apartments, Block F, Msasani Village Area
• Uhuru Media Office Block in Mwananyamala Area

Executive Hostel at Bank of Tanzania, Mwanza

OGM Consultants

This company is made up of a team of creative, ambitious, and creative young people who are consistently coming up with designs that are great in appearance and practical. Over the years, the company has contributed significantly to unique designs and has been cautious when it comes to context and detail. This has resulted in an outcome that has been satisfactory to the clients and urban fabric.

Some of the projects this company has in its portfolio include;

• Segerea Church
• Kongowe Roman Catholic Church
• ZSTC Zanzibar
• Kijitonyama Office Blocks
• NSSF Offices, Morogoro
• NSSF Offices, Kahama
• Arusha Tech, Office Blocks
• LAPF Millennium Tower
• Msamvu Hotel
• NHC Mixed Urban Development Building
• Ilemela Bus Terminal
• Nyegezi Bus Terminal

Space Consults Architects

Space Consult Architects is located in Dar es Salaam. It has a team of architects, interior designers, project managers, and office administrators. This team of architects integrate innovation, excellence, expertise, and compliance in all their designs. Some of the projects that these architects have been involved in include;

• Contemporary apartment blocks in Ununio Dar es Salaam
• Rightway Schools
• Wande Industrial and Commercial Centre
• Kibaha Market
• FPCT Headquarters
• Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Regional Office
• Beach Resort, Kigamboni

Design Studio

This company was established in 2010. However, the founder had been running another company for 11 years before dissolving it and registering a new company that was expected to have a different outlook in design. This gave Design Studio something many startups don’t have, experience in the industry and the technical knowledge to have a portfolio that is both functional and appealing since the architects know designs that are best suited for Tanzania’s landscape and environment.

The projects this company has been involved in include;

• A shopping Mall in Dodoma
• Amana Bank
• Banc ABC
• University of Dodoma
• Mbezi Salasala School, Dar es Salaam
• Masaki House, Residential property
• Toure Apartments Villa, Old Bagamoyo Road
• Bagamoyo House
• Oyster Apartments, Ununio

Flint & Best Company Ltd

Flint Best Ltd has more than 20 years’ experience in designing architectural projects. This company has not just been focusing on architecture in Tanzania, but the staff have gained immense experience through projects they have handled with firms in the UK and South Africa. The services offered include landscape design, building designs, furniture design, interior design, master planning, and land utilization.

The vast experience under this company’s docket is evident through the projects they have undertaken in Tanzania. They include;

• Barclays Bank, Dar es Salaam
• Danish Embassy
• Dar es Salaam Yacht Club
• Stanbic Bank, Dar es Salaam
• NBC Bank, Moshi
• Bagamoyo Bus Station
• Hekima Waldorf School
• Mifugo House, Dar es Salaam
• Residential Apartments in Dar es Salaam

Plinth Design Workshop

This company was founded in 2008. The designs done by the team of architects are not just creative, but they are practical too. Factors such as the client’s interests, budgetary constraints, and the environment influence the designs. Besides working on designs to change Tanzania’s skyline, this company also offers consultancy services in architecture, land-use planning, and interior design.

The major projects these companies have worked on include;

• Vumba Green City, Kigamboni
• Weruweru River Lodge
• Residential property, Boko Dovya
• Residential House, Bahari Beach Area
• DT Dobie Showroom, Milimani City, Dar es Salaam
• Gaki Investment Headquarters, Kibaha

APC Architectural Pioneering Consultants Ltd

Although the Directors of this company are of German descent, they have endeavored to consider Tanzania’s real estate environment in their designs. This company primarily merges the theoretical and imaginative aspects of design with its practicability. When coming up with designs, these architect firm focuses on it technicality, the ecological and social impact of the design. They have undertaken several projects in Tanzania, and the greater East Africa Region.

Some of the projects this company has undertaken include;

• TIGO Corporate Headquarters, Dar es Salaam
• CCBRT Disability Hospital, Dar es Salaam
• Swiss Embassy Nairobi
• Low-cost Housing, Dar es Salaam
• Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam
• Fumba Town Development
• Analytic Fingerprint Lab, Dar es Salaam
• CCBRT Hospital Master Plan