Stay tuned for Renaissance Kids offerings this summer. Should you want details, please email Mark Moreno
Prof. Moreno Bio ▸
BIOGRAPHY: Professor Moreno's academic scholarship focuses in several areas, including Placemaking, Person/Environment relationships, kitchen and bath design, creativity, and children’s education. His teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on experiences. He lectures at national and international conferences, and in 2011 he received the Daniel Augsberger Excellence in Teaching Award.
He shares his professional expertise widely within his community, consistently promoting walkability, quality sense of place, and a passion for creative scholarship. For about 12 years, he served on the board of directors and long range planning committee at Curious Kids Museum, Saint Joseph, MI, helping facilitate development of Silver Beach Center, Curious Kids Discovery Zone, Shadowland Ballroom, the Carousel and Whirlpool Field splash pad.
FOUNDING DIRECTOR: RENAISSANCE KIDS Since 2007, and with a passion to teach young people in creative and hands-on projects, Moreno promotes the discipline and impact of Architecture on our lives through the summer architecture camp, Renaissance Kids (SM). In response to the Covid Pandemic, he and his team of college student assistants developed the distance learning version called, Renaissance Kids Household Edition.
Author: Architecture For Kids: Skill Building and Activities.
Co-author: Siena Moreno
EDUCATION: Masters degree in Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design 1991 Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Texas at Arlington 1985
Camp Activities
Principle Goals: Creativity From Home
tackle activities w/ ideation & design techniques.
learn drawing & model building skills.
look at challenges from varied vantage points.
use our hands & tools as much as possible.
make physical things for more holistic understandings.
work together, critique together, & more!
engage in community services.
Note: Save up on paper scraps like cereal boxes, toilet paper, and paper towel rolls, and any other found objects for constructing models. Students will always be free to creatively interpret projects from their own resources.
Renaissance Kids aspires to make complex ideas accessible to young minds by providing activities and tools for exploring relationships between people and the physical world.
PAst STUDIO PROJECTS
Projects built in the studio for all age groups involve exploring and solving problems by looking from multiple vantage points. We are working together in a loving environment, using tools and a wide array of materials, making drawings and building models with our hands.
![Great minds think alike.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555455292401-X2BHIMQ8RLTYHPG8X4KK/DEP_3346.jpg)
![Carry a steel ball from one end to another, work in progress.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1517528010001-FK5JIXGSOE5T3E6ETI03/DEP_3278.jpg)
![Kids know the drill.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454270873-W6O9VSQHPI8VQJZBRF95/20180615_093924.jpg)
![Measure twice, cut once.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454286690-ID5ZPO4ICPBJJF0RSTZL/20180626_163321.jpg)
![Urban design and kids. Why not?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454302671-95ANLM5J9TTL3UVDAJRS/20180627_165540.jpg)
![20180724_104057.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454365156-LUITG4DCVH023J4INPYD/20180724_104057.jpg)
![20180810_091552.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454388583-K0HPKVK0KP58D2A87AGB/20180810_091552.jpg)
![Imaginary City Skyline, multimedia.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773812763-NEGG5PNW6ZTX0HU9GEF9/20180810_182314.jpg)
![Tiny house model, "FULL" scale. 8'W x 18'L x 12'H](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454422638-8VW1T3AN5N0FS5O4EQSV/20180810_183442.jpg)
![Kids designed and built entire interior!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555454852148-VX72NSJJJF5RRHHL1CLK/tiny+house+interior.jpg)
![Must needs enjoy your work.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555624622185-W1LM6GTO0I1Y1AT5VL8D/tiny+house+pride.jpg)
![Neighborhood public space with multimedia.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555624587016-0OTWLI4LN3OYCSIEK5EN/20170614_114812.jpg)
![Exploring varied times of day for walkable street design.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555625587058-ABHI62835TZITACDGZ7I/20170621_193845.jpg)
![20170615_110844.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555625655309-LZFA241H2VMX6O1UF0ES/20170615_110844.jpg)
![We each function as part of a community. Buildings do likewise.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555625616852-I2GGXUYJ56OCIEIJK7X5/20170621_194023.jpg)
![1 to 1.618 Fibonacci understood this.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627174677-YCQG61JNF6SDSKKGKG1F/golden+ratio+Steven+%2820a%29.jpg)
![Testing the desk proportions and functionality.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627278833-M296A48ZBZGCZASC16RD/tiny+house+desk.jpg)
![Built by the kids in 2019 to help raise money for building a tiny house for a stranger in need.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627263244-FAEOIHE0HDIU30C6AD6A/tiny%2Bhouse%2Band%2Bboon.jpg)
![20180807_151513 - Copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627423864-8CSF6SZAJCWMFYONKTBT/20180807_151513+-+Copy.jpg)
![It's hammer time!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627769552-QLFVOHZO92LDPAXOTOVS/20180808_084532+-+Copy.jpg)
![20180808_092032.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627818557-ME17CPKT7WY6HYO7FSBF/20180808_092032.jpg)
![Drilling for bolts to install playhouse platform.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627732993-0NWLXNTT1J94WSVS8ZJC/20180808_170820.jpg)
![Unique individual contributions, for collaborative wholeness.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627697154-T9C35LKHCCEUUMGEU4BI/20180808_181505.jpg)
![Better to be seen than sawn.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627714985-H5B2KLIPSOAEPPM735ZP/20180809_155736.jpg)
![20180809_155820 - Copy.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627748631-3QLCTH36FZKB5ZS7ZN96/20180809_155820+-+Copy.jpg)
![Kids and artist, Stephen Hokanson, creations](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555627667726-15YCIGH193IX6GSPAAXU/sculpture+pier.jpg)
![Individual buildings can share common community purposes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555638381565-BO4NR8HT2DT171GKGEZ1/20170614_115407.jpg)
![Determination!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770633130-F3EQQYUSE66RDA9E44U5/20180806_164024.jpg)
![Kids need to feel trusted.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555802164493-6OQUKLQJ4N8NJS8U8KDJ/20180806_161320.jpg)
![Nailed it!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770669984-YXY24IRIOQQFASQ9EW46/20180806_164013%280%29.jpg)
![Challenge met!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770696473-KPYVBGGQ8DOB127MD4RX/20180806_140137%280%29.jpg)
![Hinge table, so back splash becomes smaller table.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770725033-8YIQLWE5LGPDFCA4T2SR/20180801_121122.jpg)
![Power driller!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770825983-O16AFXO46XQKZG1TE7UP/20180614_155726.jpg)
![Looking from inside, out from full scale tiny house model.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770755741-TXHHLDN8Q6YBI14NGFAA/20180801_121237.jpg)
![We can do this!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770856424-1PT732IE0OOOWAU1EOP8/20180614_163557.jpg)
![20180801_121241.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770792790-ZETOPISRJNDZ2KYHE1VL/20180801_121241.jpg)
!["Sweet Vibes Only" laser cut design.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771240475-YFFELSMPQ4MQEO4OEHYF/20180801_121306.jpg)
![20180801_121629.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771287089-GLXWWV28NLKEGQPJRXOR/20180801_121629.jpg)
![20180615_170043.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770897632-ADODCQZAXXIWR48HKU6P/20180615_170043.jpg)
![20180801_132822.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770808798-AD2N8ST6MQ27D5B9DMXH/20180801_132822.jpg)
![20180615_170045.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770949760-WXX4LEOIJ7E8M67FP5YQ/20180615_170045.jpg)
![20180709_152353.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770922166-TY5Z9X7VAM80O843DGLD/20180709_152353.jpg)
![20180727_082322.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770984536-B6DCAKBKWGVQL6Q4N865/20180727_082322.jpg)
![20180727_164058.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771106661-0VY2SLOOI3LNTIQFEDNJ/20180727_164058.jpg)
![20180808_144749.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771068362-QENZV5UBS6I4G1VKEUCS/20180808_144749.jpg)
![20180710_170615.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555770300987-7XWRQDZVXVH1CGFHXKNB/20180710_170615.jpg)
![20180809_115025.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771159757-28FA66W0DK6J2IVX4XP2/20180809_115025.jpg)
![20180810_092613.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771180338-I0UMR3C7R8XZJ2NETI3J/20180810_092613.jpg)
![20180810_183505.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555771219483-TX7HVWJATCU7X5YCFT6X/20180810_183505.jpg)
![20180614_173953.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773387558-EQCKNP6MOV3HZVE12K1O/20180614_173953.jpg)
![20180627_111920.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773219271-XZ6XODVVO39GPBOIVMXI/20180627_111920.jpg)
![20180615_152001.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773358265-VNOXQAYE8PDZXTWIP7T5/20180615_152001.jpg)
![20180628_111903.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773204034-KA8ESQSLAQFCNIRNL340/20180628_111903.jpg)
![20180709_153635.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555772949348-H60U4ING6XCGFZGADBMN/20180709_153635.jpg)
![Plan out the design!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555772950908-C0LSRDTHOXJO1D1JFUWK/20180709_153639.jpg)
![Module installation begins.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555772961208-KXQFWXQVL8E4LNFTYKOE/20180709_161550.jpg)
![20180718_153147.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773330949-WF3AMW0GA3Y9QJNNQN7Z/20180718_153147.jpg)
![20180719_151721.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773302428-14N0EVSCNFTAB55E9VOP/20180719_151721.jpg)
![Shower head made from scratch.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773283518-BKAVG5YM4MVJMML4XQJ6/20180720_145059.jpg)
![Than you, Mark McGrane, for all your expert help.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773264436-V609KEJKSIQQEO8L00YR/20180726_132035.jpg)
![A smile: Architecture of happiness.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555773237595-24RFVDICPH7P74HZLMD8/20180808_144756.jpg)
Past COMMUNITY BUILD PROJECTS
These projects were all made with the kids hands, and some were designed by kids. all hope to make the world a better place.
![Sitting Space at Krasl Art Center](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555455414842-V60QXZNMN3Z9STDI45YM/krasl+swing+space.jpg)
![Sitting Space at Krasl Art Center](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1484951212378-LFKRVX79DNAHG7F93N48/001IMG_0031.jpg)
![Ceramic and bronze mosaic.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456307927-D339GZ04G01NBNSCJWX6/02+Krasl_lisa+Blubaugh+memorial.jpg)
![Ceramic pieces made by kids, bronze pieces by Lisa Blubaugh](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456392787-KSXZIKPR9RT2YE2MQZ2N/KRASL_+LISA+BLUBAUGH+MEMORIAL+15-05-06+15.18.57-small.jpg)
![Friend, Allen Carver gave countless hours to support the Renaissance Kids.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456322734-8HHESE627W7LBTVVYY4R/001IMG_0003.jpg)
!["The sun never knew how great its light was until it struck the side of a building" Louis Kahn](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456363652-1E1S77N2VBO18ZSV00UO/001IMG_3000.jpg)
![Ceramic pieces made by kids, bronze pieces by Lisa Blubaugh](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456353275-AHMWG2P4N2VUCZFPJDT2/001IMG_3002.jpg)
![Ceramic pieces made by kids, bronze pieces by Lisa Blubaugh](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456341717-W9JOYLQWJA2WK58PLOTT/001IMG_3004.jpg)
![Far bench made with kids 5, 6, and 7. Time capsules inside bench base.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555455843265-W6LOKWORBBTWM15SUAZH/architecture+school+sitting+space.png)
![Patio planters and benches made with kids, ages 12-16](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1484933611782-HFGOVPS2OX0XIBRSGODI/build+project+STEM+CENTRAL.jpg)
![STEM 2.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1515886308657-NXB7KTEVRPNH607P8MZN/STEM+2.jpg)
![Verena drilling for rebar!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555872841888-TVK8CDOWXTN90T8DWWQH/verena.jpg)
![Benches and planters built with kids, ages 12-16](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1515886411601-9DJHBKEVC8C44GBY8RFB/Berrien+Springs+STEM+central.jpg)
![Homeschool class planning tree locations](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1515886374824-ULOQIRS7ILC0868MTHI8/001IMG_2899.jpg)
![STEM Central project transformed an empty green.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1515886393011-5Y2XL5F733CLAB5V24NW/stem+4.jpg)
![Curious Kids' Museum Sitting Space built with Kid hands.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555455917856-QW87XRGBI2Z5YTF4TV5Z/20160601_204906+ckm+piers.jpg)
![Teen build session, 2011 at CKM](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456961301-L3QJKCCUCZEY9JNBSI4L/ckm+piers+2011-2.jpg)
![Art piers at AU Art School, with fire pit](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456454506-EJPU21KCUETS0N99PF78/08art+piers.jpg)
![ckdz whisper dish.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456115460-E6LSLJ07611B1LHW18LQ/ckdz+whisper+dish.png)
![whisper dish.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456540798-H5PYXASKV615RC7VO7VL/whisper+dish.jpg)
![20170721_152410-1.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456736816-HLTGU8S0OO75K72OAD2B/20170721_152410-1.jpg)
![20170728_121552.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1515880660597-06RMQ4YV78MCIXAZIJVM/20170728_121552.jpg)
![20170728_123624.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555456987689-KTFDXIPYHBC5ZM8MG3SS/20170728_123624.jpg)
![sculpture at cafe gulistan3.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555458256885-SYBSSWTIFJUGAQTQMTHX/sculpture+at+cafe+gulistan3.jpg)
![playhouse paint 2.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555458241037-XCG4JCB9M7NNRJZ64PHR/playhouse+paint+2.jpg)
![Playhouse](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555458399297-8K077PZTF0CDM2VLDS8V/20180923_164044.jpg)
![playhouse3.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555458296500-3KZ3QA0G5Q3G8XVSNLVE/playhouse3.jpg)
![playhouse paint.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1555458278015-RIBDU4RIWYMXW4IB6UL3/playhouse+paint.jpg)
![It was Kids' idea to build house for a person in need.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1583676239120-Z7A7EW8J6ESWH3I8L4T9/001_renkids_playhouse2.jpg)
![001renkids_2018_playhouse.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/531e188ae4b0baf9a0eae7e5/1583676247959-O4HBNF8BDIPOL4XLX6LN/001renkids_2018_playhouse.jpg)
This is a casual conversation on Professor Garth Woodruff’s sweet designerly blog. Fun times.