Beyond the Blueprint: Connecting the Dots from Classroom to Community

A few years ago, while talking with a colleague about the lack of diversity in architecture, Dominique Moore was met with a simple but challenging question: “So, what are you going to do about it?”

The answer was My Architecture Workshops, a Stamford-based nonprofit Moore co-founded in 2020 to inspire and empower future architects, engineers, and builders. Through design studios, collaborative projects, and creative learning experiences, the organization opens pathways into the AEC fields for students of all ages, making architecture accessible, imaginative, and hands-on.

My Architecture Workshops introduces students in grades K–8 to the world of architecture, engineering, and construction through hands-on summer camps and after-school programs, while high school students (grades 9–12) apply those skills to real municipal projects. Run by industry professionals and educators, the program is staffed by undergraduate AEC students who earn AXP points toward their professional exams, supported by local firms that volunteer twice a week to mentor them. By connecting students, educators, and industry from the start, My Architecture Workshops is revolutionizing how young people learn about and experience architecture, creating a complete ecosystem that connects the dots from first inspiration to future career.

High School Students engage with residents on municipal projects, ensuring that community voices are heard early in the process. One example is the Jackie Robinson Park of Fame revitalization project in Stamford, part of a citywide initiative.

Moore recalled that a student began the park project with her own vision, but after engaging with residents who’d lived there for decades, she discovered that community and collaboration lie at the heart of architecture.

“It was eye-opening,” Moore said. “She learned that architects build for people — and therefore should build with them.”

The Ripple Effect: Expanding Impact and Vision

While the benefits to students are clear, the impact of My Architecture Workshops extends far beyond those directly involved in the program. By bringing diverse voices to the table, the organization ensures that real stories and real needs are heard by decision-makers. These stories are documented through short films and mini-documentaries that amplify community voices and broaden public understanding.

“For the cities we partner with, our approach brings in new perspectives and new voices,” Moore said. “A new demographic of people is being brought into the conversation.”

Despite challenges such as reductions in some federal funding, My Architecture Workshops remains steadfast in its mission—thanks in part to strong support from the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Moore praised the foundation’s genuine commitment to the organizations it supports.

“They visit our program to see what we’re doing and meet with our families, the people we work with,” Moore said. “There’s an authenticity to the Community Foundation’s giving—and a trust in us to steward their support and ensure it reaches the people who need it most.”

Looking ahead, My Architecture Workshops aims to responsibly scale its programming and partnerships. Requests continue to pour in from schools and community organizations eager to involve more students and tackle new projects.

“I think our goal is really to figure out how we can responsibly grow and focus on reaching more students who can truly benefit from our support,” Moore said. “We’re realizing that regardless of background, there are so many young people interested in architecture who have nowhere else to go for these resources. We want to be there for them.”

That commitment to access and equity, Moore added, is strengthened by the continued partnership with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, whose investment helps My Architecture Workshops scale sustainably while remaining rooted in community impact. Their support ensures that every blueprint drawn and every idea built moves the organization, and its students, closer to a more inclusive future.