It’s OK to think that this house at 2730 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. looks dreadful with its exposed plywood, mismatched siding and overall disrepair. Lansing-area resident and owner Dave Finet is the first to agree that it’s truly an eyesore.

It might be difficult for our modern sensibilities to believe that at one time communities, like Lansing, had a much greater variety of housing types

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: This two-story Lansing home is clad in a classic early 20th century exterior siding that, at one time, was quite handsome but has experienced some neglect. Let’s be clear: There is no such thing as a maintenance-free exterior finish.

Let’s face it: although nobody finds portable toilets particularly appealing, they do provide an essential service. The quintessential blue box is an important feature of festivals, fairs, construction sites and just about anywhere there is a large crowd.

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: Living small and reducing your home’s footprint is the best way to live large, environmentally speaking. Join the movement that thousands have embraced and live in a structure less than 800 square feet. You can buy house plans and build your own or get a prefabricated one.

Looking to take a trip during the holidays without breaking the bank? Why not partake in the latest trend of a day-long vacation, affectionately known as a “daycation?” Twenty minutes southwest of Lansing, Charlotte is home to a 19th century courthouse that is an architectural landmark worthy of a visit.

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: Barn, shed, Quonset hut, privy ' call it what you like, these structures like the small metal building accompanying the petite early 20th century house in the Hosmer Neighborhood at 811 Bement Street are simply outbuildings.

Are you familiar with 5814 S. Pennsylvania Ave.? As a kind of typical, nondescript large south Lansing retail space, you might remember it as the building that housed the former Ollie Fretter Home Appliance Store. It still looks pretty much the same these days ' or does it? Let’s take a closer look.

Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: Neglected garage doors diminish the overall attractiveness of this early 20th century house. Everyone thinks garage doors are no big deal. All too often, people choose doors that are fairly commonplace.

With housing values unlikely to increase in the near term, why not invest in energy-saving measures that not only reduce your energy bills but also make you money? Lansing resident Pat Ballentine has provided us with an inspiring example of how sustainable design can be a wise investment for your pocket book and the environment.