James Maclean Boeken

Do you need to know your lime putty from your lime plaster? Want to improve your flatness tolerance? Stuck with an incomprehensible DIY manual? The Penguin Dictionary of Building is your answer. Ably steering you through the confusing maze of jargon and technical terms, this ever-popular text has sold over 150,000 copies and is invaluable for anyone interested in construction: students, professional architects, bricklayers, carpenters, glaziers, plasterers, plumbers or DIY enthusiasts. From abrasives to Z-purlin via the murder clause, this clear and comprehensive dictionary provides succinct and accurate explanations of the techniques, equipment and issues of the building world.

Lansing was fortunate to have several local architects in the later 19th and early 20th Century. The works of Edwyn Bowd and Darius Moon are well known, but there were several others. James Appleyard, the contractor for the Michigan State Capitol served as a mentor to three young local architects: his son William Appleyard, the brother of his daughter-in-law, R. Arthur Bailey and the son of one of Lansing's leading businessmen, Frederick Thoman. These are their stories and while their work was prolific, most of the buildings and homes these men designed no longer exist. This book is an effort to recognize their contributions to Michigan's architectural history.

Darius Bartlett Moon, a self-taught architect from 19th century Michigan, exemplifies the Renaissance man through his diverse talents and contributions. Initially a carpenter, he transitioned into architecture, driven by firsthand experiences of design flaws. His demanding nature on construction sites often led to injuries, a rarity for architects of his time. Moon's personal life flourished with his marriage to Ellen Sprague and their four children. His legacy includes notable homes in Lansing, some still standing, alongside a passion for writing poetry and prose.