Eyesore of the week

811 Bement St., Lansing

Posted

Property: 811 Bement St., Lansing

Owner: Sam Usman

Assessed value: $12,900

Owner says: Could not be reached for comment

This property matches the season in both color scheme and in deed. Just like the leaves, this property features a palate of orange and brown, and parts of it seem to be falling to the ground.

The brown siding of the house is not in bad shape, showing a reasonable amount of dents and weathering. Most of the windows and doors are boarded up and the paint on the porch is well beyond peeling. The worst part of the lot would have to be the shed behind the house. It lacks a door, it’s beginning to rust, it’s quite misshapen, and houses random garbage and cinderblocks.

— Meghan Spork

Architecturecritic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: Barn, shed, Quonset hut, privy —call it what you like, these structures like the small metal buildingaccompanying the petite early 20th century house in the HosmerNeighborhood at 811 Bement Street are simply outbuildings. They’resmall structures for things and/or activities you don’t want in yourhouse. People tend to think of these ancillary structures asinconsequential to the overall aesthetic of the home. Outbuildings,like garages, are an extension of the home, and neglected ones,particularly the highly visible, detract from the overallattractiveness of the primary structure. Outbuildings can add immensestyle and delight to your home. They can be a great storage solutionfor narrow urban sites too restrictive for a garage.

Outbuildingsare a great way to improve your property. They’re typically small,ranging from sheds, cabins, tractor barns, workshops, home offices,studios, craft rooms, pool houses, cottages and coach houses. Theoptions are fairly endless, making them good DIY projects.

Thevast majority of outbuildings are available as building kits at anyhome improvement store. If you are really ambitious, you can design andbuild your own.

Unsureabout designing and building your own? Another excellent option ishiring a skilled local craftsman for the job. Lansing has a variety ofbuilders who have a great reputation for quality, and most smalloutbuildings can be completed in a day, often at a price morereasonable than a kit. Make sure to take the time to research whichstyle and construction type of building will most suit your lifestyleas well.

Outbuildings are great because in addition to adding practical storageto your property, they can add charm and character. Outbuildings don’thave to be strictly utilitarian — have fun with them. Depending on yourtaste, outbuildings look great with additional touches such asshutters, flower boxes, windows and/or decorative gables to suggest.

An outbuilding is a significant financial investment and it is important to protect your asset with routine maintenance.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here




Connect with us