Eye candy of the week

215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing

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Property: 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing

Owner: Central United Methodist Church

Assessed value: $0

Misconceived notions can have damaging effects. In the name of energy efficiency, people are quick to replace irreplaceable windows on historic buildings at the expense of both the architecture and the environment. The greenest window isn’t a spanking new window but an existing one. Window restoration is preferable, period.

Central United Methodist Church in downtown Lansing is leading the way. At present, the more than century-old monumental stained glass window located on the west wall of the sanctuary is undergoing a complete restoration. According to John McCartney, restorer of the Central Methodist window, stained glass — more than any other window type — is site specific. Restoration of the window preserves the architecture and the embodied energy, or the energy required to extract, process, manufacture, transport and install building materials. 

Been quite a while since you admired the glorious stained glass windows on this Richardsonian Romanesque church? This may be a good time to reacquaint yourself. The restoration will be completed in two weeks. 

Without thestained-glass windows, the overall aesthetics of this church would becompletely changed. However, it's not just stained-glass windows thatmake the difference. The fact is, windows can truly make or break abeautiful building. Even simple six-over-six wood frame windows matter.If the original design of the building was intended to havesix-over-six wood frame window but those windows are replaced with asmaller vinyl window, it completely changes the quality and characterof the building. Windows are as important to the building as an otherarchitectural detail. 

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