From the John Dye Water Conditioning Plant to the new cogeneration power plant under construction in REO Town, architecture matters to the BWL.

Gateways are points of entry and departure from the community. Much like the New Cross Road in Georgian London, Lansing’s South Capitol Avenue is a gateway to the mid-Michigan region via Interstate 496.

Civic institutions located in easily accessible places have the ability to drive economic development. These buildings and their public spaces can be thriving places of commerce. Adjacent businesses benefit from the steady stream of residents to and from the public building, encouraging local economies and these spaces to thrive.

It’s easy to forget how many unique features there are in our communities when you travel the same routes day in and day out. If it isn’t on a main corridor or located right next door to work or home we miss it — out of sight, out of mind.

Lansing residents love their outdoor spaces, clamoring for them at the first waft of warmth. One of these beloved outdoor spaces is the courtyard at Tallulah’s Folly in Old Town. Whether for feasting on delicious food from a food truck or to relax during an afternoon of shopping, the courtyard is an oasis.

Even the most unassuming buildings have a special story, whether it’s the architect, owners, design, materials or past events. This home on Sparrow Avenue is a lovely addition to Lansing’s Kenwood Neighborhood. The architecture alone is noteworthy (check out the beautiful entry) but it is the stories associated with the house that make it even more special. Three, to be exact, with a bit of mystery and intrigue to each.

It’s easy to take great design for granted. Take the intersection of Rosewood and West Grand River avenues in East Lansing. It really has it all, and what makes this intersection so great is its mixed uses — single family residential, low-rise multi-family and commercial — all within an eighth of a mile.

You’ve probably never noticed the plinth of erect concrete located in the median of Michigan Avenue on the eastside between Detroit Street and LaSalle Court. It is no ordinary bit of concrete — it’s a Michigan Historical Marker.

There’s long-held tradition in naming buildings — Monticello, Farnsworth and Robie, to name a few. Houses are typically named after the first owner or the architect. What do you get when the first owner is also an architect? In Lansing, you get the Darius B. Moon House.

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.