Opdyke was a Lansing architect who designed this striking modernist cube at 827 N. Washington Ave. Easily overlooked, this diminutive glass and steel box is among the best of the best in Lansing. Flat planes. Flat roof. Large windows. Totally modernist.

Architecture is a success when it evokes an emotional response that lifts the spirits. The Turner-Dodge House is without question one of the great architectural beauties of Lansing that just makes you feel good. It’s exactly the type of building that draws you to it, time and again.

If you’re like most of us, you’ll be using this special time of the year to reflect and renew. Start the New Year with a resolution to grow your appreciation for mid-Michigan architecture. Try devoting a morning or afternoon a month to observing and engaging with buildings that make up our built environment. Take a walk through your neighborhood, visit a historic district and/or choose a destination building such as a museum.

Holiday windows are a classic seasonal tradition. Started in the 1800s by department stores like R.H. Macy'euro;'s and Marshall Field'euro;'s, elaborate holiday motifs have graced retail stores from mid-November to the New Year. At it'euro;'s height, J. L. Hudson'euro;'s Woodward Avenue store had over fifty display windows.

Michigan may be considered Midwest but its New England heritage is evident in its architecture. There are amazing examples of residential and commercial architecture influenced by the east coast aesthetic, but what about barns. Bucolic cathedrals, barns, are incredible structures with a strong aesthetic.

Whether you travel a short distance for a staycation or a long distance, eco-friendly lodging is one of the best ways to carbon offset travel. The Cozy Koi Bed and Breakfast at 720 Seymour St. is the only bed and breakfast in the Lansing city limits and a Green Lodging Michigan Partner, recognized by the state for its environmental efforts.

Cool autumn days are here and Halloween is just around the corner. There is no better way to enjoy the autumn than to stroll through Mason to admire the stunning residential architecture, including the breathtaking house at 210 East Maple St., located one block from Courthouse Square in downtown.

The latest addition to East Lansing’s Chesterfield Hills Neighborhood, 359 University Drive completed in April 2011, is a traditional two-story style house that is aesthetically pleasing to our traditional tastes and environmentally friendly. It is a superb example of the evolution and success of today’s green building design.

You’ve probably never given much thought to the houses that frame the intersection of Kensington Road and West Grand River Avenue in East Lansing, just zipped through at nice 25 mph clip.

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell- Seyburn says: Sure 1434 Pontiac may look humble next to its two-story statuesque neighbors, but this bungalow can rival even the grandest American house with its efficient use of space.