diff --git a/src/rust-geom b/src/rust-geom
index e1ec99049c1..01de30b15bf 160000
--- a/src/rust-geom
+++ b/src/rust-geom
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit e1ec99049c193aaedbb603e4ceb675251e5814b3
+Subproject commit 01de30b15bfb3ecdfb921b7571ff98e63c0d4483
diff --git a/src/servo/css/resolve/apply.rs b/src/servo/css/resolve/apply.rs
index ca58696a750..0e4ee8a6dde 100644
--- a/src/servo/css/resolve/apply.rs
+++ b/src/servo/css/resolve/apply.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #[doc="Applies the appropriate CSS style to boxes."]
 
 use au = gfx::geometry;
-use layout::base::{Box, SpecifiedStyle, BoxTree};
+use layout::base::{RenderBox, SpecifiedStyle, RenderBoxTree};
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
 use layout::traverse_parallel::top_down_traversal;
 use image::ImageHolder;
@@ -32,12 +32,12 @@ impl CSSValue<CSSFontSize> : ResolveMethods<CSSFontSize> {
 
 
 struct StyleApplicator {
-    box: @Box,
+    box: @RenderBox,
     reflow: fn~(),
 }
 
 // TODO: normalize this into a normal preorder tree traversal function
-fn apply_style(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, box: @Box, reflow: fn~()) {
+fn apply_style(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, box: @RenderBox, reflow: fn~()) {
     let applicator = StyleApplicator {
         box: box,
         reflow: reflow
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ fn apply_style(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, box: @Box, reflow: fn~()) {
 
 #[doc="A wrapper around a set of functions that can be applied as a top-down traversal of layout
        boxes."]
-fn inheritance_wrapper(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, box : @Box, reflow: fn~()) {
+fn inheritance_wrapper(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, box : @RenderBox, reflow: fn~()) {
     let applicator = StyleApplicator {
         box: box,
         reflow: reflow
@@ -59,12 +59,12 @@ fn inheritance_wrapper(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, box : @Box, reflow: fn~()) {
 }
 
 /*
-fn resolve_fontsize(box : @Box) {
+fn resolve_fontsize(box : @RenderBox) {
     // TODO: complete this
     return
 }
 
-fn resolve_height(box : @Box) -> au {
+fn resolve_height(box : @RenderBox) -> au {
     let style = box.node.get_style();
     let inherit_val = match box.tree.parent {
         None => au(0),
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ fn resolve_height(box : @Box) -> au {
     }
 }
 
-fn resolve_width(box : @Box) {
+fn resolve_width(box : @RenderBox) {
     let style = box.node.get_specified_style();
     let inherit_val = match box.tree.parent {
         None => style.height.initial(),
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ impl StyleApplicator {
     fn apply_css_style(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext) {
         let reflow = copy self.reflow;
 
-        do BoxTree.each_child(self.box) |child| {
+        do RenderBoxTree.each_child(self.box) |child| {
             inheritance_wrapper(layout_ctx, child, reflow); true
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/servo/dom/base.rs b/src/servo/dom/base.rs
index fe712c63ec1..3eb5a5e1a56 100644
--- a/src/servo/dom/base.rs
+++ b/src/servo/dom/base.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use js::glue::bindgen::RUST_OBJECT_TO_JSVAL;
 use js::jsapi::{JSClass, JSObject, JSPropertySpec, JSContext, jsid, jsval, JSBool};
 use js::rust::{bare_compartment, compartment, methods};
 use js::{JSPROP_ENUMERATE, JSPROP_SHARED};
-use layout::base::Box;
+use layout::base::RenderBox;
 use layout::debug::DebugMethods;
 use ptr::null;
 use std::arc::ARC;
@@ -193,12 +193,12 @@ enum ElementKind {
 
 /** The RCU rd_aux data is a (weak) pointer to the layout data,
    defined by this `LayoutData` enum. It contains the CSS style object
-   as well as the primary `Box`.
+   as well as the primary `RenderBox`.
 
    Note that there may be multiple boxes per DOM node. */
 enum LayoutData = {
     mut style: ~SpecifiedStyle,
-    mut box: Option<@Box>
+    mut box: Option<@RenderBox>
 };
 
 type Node = rcu::Handle<NodeData, LayoutData>;
diff --git a/src/servo/gfx/display_list.rs b/src/servo/gfx/display_list.rs
index a8e03750336..29fa62f8bfa 100644
--- a/src/servo/gfx/display_list.rs
+++ b/src/servo/gfx/display_list.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ use std::arc::{ARC, clone};
 use dvec::DVec;
 use text::glyph::Glyph;
 
+pub use layout::display_list_builder::DisplayListBuilder;
+
 struct DisplayItem {
     draw: ~fn((&DisplayItem), (&RenderContext)),
     bounds : Rect<au>, // TODO: whose coordinate system should this use?
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ trait DisplayListMethods {
 impl DisplayList : DisplayListMethods {
     fn draw(ctx: &RenderContext) {
         for self.each |item| {
-            debug!["drawing %?", item];
+            debug!("drawing %?", item);
             item.draw(item, ctx);
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/base.rs b/src/servo/layout/base.rs
index d98632f8a3d..98980704dfb 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/base.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/base.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,21 @@
 /* Fundamental layout structures and algorithms. */
 
+use arc = std::arc;
+use arc::ARC;
 use au = gfx::geometry;
+use au::au;
 use core::dvec::DVec;
 use core::to_str::ToStr;
 use core::rand;
 use css::styles::SpecifiedStyle;
-use css::values::{BoxSizing, Length, Px, CSSDisplay};
+use css::values::{BoxSizing, Length, Px, CSSDisplay, Specified, BgColor, BgTransparent};
+use dl = gfx::display_list;
 use dom::base::{Element, ElementKind, HTMLDivElement, HTMLImageElement};
 use dom::base::{Node, NodeData, NodeKind, NodeTree};
 use dom::rcu;
 use geom::rect::Rect;
 use geom::size::Size2D;
-use gfx::geometry::au;
+use geom::point::Point2D;
 use image::{Image, ImageHolder};
 use layout::block::BlockFlowData;
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
@@ -20,14 +24,73 @@ use layout::inline::InlineFlowData;
 use layout::root::RootFlowData;
 use layout::text::TextBoxData;
 use servo_text::text_run::TextRun;
-use std::arc::{ARC, clone};
 use std::net::url::Url;
 use task::spawn;
 use util::color::Color;
 use util::tree;
 use vec::{push, push_all};
 
+
+/** Servo's experimental layout system builds a tree of FlowContexts
+and RenderBoxes, and figures out positions and display attributes of
+tree nodes. Positions are computed in several tree traversals driven
+by fundamental data dependencies of inline and block layout.
+
+Render boxes (`struct RenderBox`) are the leafs of the layout
+tree. They cannot position themselves. In general, render boxes do not
+have a simple correspondence with CSS boxes as in the specification:
+
+ * Several render boxes may correspond to the same CSS box or DOM
+   node. For example, a CSS text box broken across two lines is
+   represented by two render boxes.
+
+ * Some CSS boxes are not created at all, such as some anonymous block
+   boxes induced by inline boxes with block-level sibling boxes. In
+   that case, Servo uses an InlineFlow with BlockFlow siblings; the
+   InlineFlow is block-level, but not a block container. It is
+   positioned as if it were a block box, but its children are
+   positioned according to inline flow.
+
+Fundamental box types include:
+
+ * GenericBox: an empty box that contributes only borders, margins,
+padding, backgrounds. It is analogous to a CSS nonreplaced content box.
+
+ * ImageBox: a box that represents a (replaced content) image and its
+   accompanying borders, shadows, etc.
+
+ * TextBox: a box representing a single run of text with a distinct
+   style. A TextBox may be split into two or more render boxes across
+   line breaks. Several TextBoxes may correspond to a single DOM text
+   node. Split text boxes are implemented by referring to subsets of a
+   master TextRun object.
+
+
+Flows (`struct FlowContext`) are interior nodes in the layout tree,
+and correspond closely to flow contexts in the CSS
+specification. Flows are responsible for positioning their child flow
+contexts and render boxes. Flows have purpose-specific fields, such as
+auxilliary line box structs, out-of-flow child lists, and so on.
+
+Currently, the important types of flows are:
+
+ * BlockFlow: a flow that establishes a block context. It has several
+   child flows, each of which are positioned according to block
+   formatting context rules (as if child flows CSS block boxes). Block
+   flows also contain a single GenericBox to represent their rendered
+   borders, padding, etc. (In the future, this render box may be
+   folded into BlockFlow to save space.)
+
+ * InlineFlow: a flow that establishes an inline context. It has a
+   flat list of child boxes/flows that are subject to inline layout
+   and line breaking, and structs to represent line breaks and mapping
+   to CSS boxes, for the purpose of handling `getClientRects()`.
+
+*/
+
 struct FlowLayoutData {
+    // TODO: min/pref and position are used during disjoint phases of
+    // layout; maybe combine into a single enum to save space.
     mut min_width: au,
     mut pref_width: au,
     mut position: Rect<au>,
@@ -42,7 +105,7 @@ fn FlowLayoutData() -> FlowLayoutData {
 }
 
 /* The type of the formatting context, and data specific to each
-context, such as lineboxes or float lists */ 
+context, such as linebox structures or float lists */ 
 enum FlowContextData {
     AbsoluteFlow, 
     BlockFlow(BlockFlowData),
@@ -54,14 +117,7 @@ enum FlowContextData {
 }
 
 /* A particular kind of layout context. It manages the positioning of
-   layout boxes within the context.
-
-   Flow contexts form a tree that is induced by the structure of the
-   box tree. Each context is responsible for laying out one or more
-   boxes, according to the flow type. The number of flow contexts should
-   be much fewer than the number of boxes. The context maintains a vector
-   of its constituent boxes in their document order.
-*/
+   render boxes within the context.  */
 struct FlowContext {
     kind: FlowContextData,
     data: FlowLayoutData,
@@ -85,6 +141,8 @@ impl @FlowContext : cmp::Eq {
     pure fn ne(&&other: @FlowContext) -> bool { !box::ptr_eq(self, other) }
 }
 
+
+/* Flow context disambiguation methods: the verbose alternative to virtual methods */
 impl @FlowContext {
     fn bubble_widths(ctx: &LayoutContext) {
         match self.kind {
@@ -112,6 +170,16 @@ impl @FlowContext {
             _ => fail fmt!("Tried to assign_height of flow: %?", self.kind)
         }
     }
+
+    fn build_display_list_recurse(builder: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, dirty: &Rect<au>,
+                                  offset: &Point2D<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+        match self.kind {
+            RootFlow(*) => self.build_display_list_root(builder, dirty, offset, list),
+            BlockFlow(*) => self.build_display_list_block(builder, dirty, offset, list),
+            InlineFlow(*) => self.build_display_list_inline(builder, dirty, offset, list),
+            _ => fail fmt!("Tried to build_display_list_recurse of flow: %?", self.kind)
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /* The tree holding FlowContexts */
@@ -166,9 +234,9 @@ enum BoxData {
     TextBox(TextBoxData)
 }
 
-struct Box {
+struct RenderBox {
     /* references to children, parent */
-    tree : tree::Tree<@Box>,
+    tree : tree::Tree<@RenderBox>,
     /* originating DOM node */
     node : Node,
     /* reference to containing flow context, which this box
@@ -182,8 +250,8 @@ struct Box {
     mut id: int
 }
 
-fn Box(id: int, node: Node, ctx: @FlowContext, kind: BoxData) -> Box {
-    Box {
+fn RenderBox(id: int, node: Node, ctx: @FlowContext, kind: BoxData) -> RenderBox {
+    RenderBox {
         /* will be set when box is parented */
         tree : tree::empty(),
         node : node,
@@ -194,7 +262,7 @@ fn Box(id: int, node: Node, ctx: @FlowContext, kind: BoxData) -> Box {
     }
 }
 
-impl @Box {
+impl @RenderBox {
     pure fn is_replaced() -> bool {
         match self.kind {
             ImageBox(*) => true, // TODO: form elements, etc
@@ -210,14 +278,12 @@ impl @Box {
             // FlowContext will combine the width of this element and
             // that of its children to arrive at the context width.
             GenericBox => au(0),
+            // TODO: consult CSS 'width', margin, border.
             // TODO: If image isn't available, consult Node
             // attrs, etc. to determine intrinsic dimensions. These
             // dimensions are not defined by CSS 2.1, but are defined
             // by the HTML5 spec in Section 4.8.1
             ImageBox(size) => size.width,
-            // TODO: account for line breaks, etc. The run should know
-            // how to compute its own min and pref widths, and should
-            // probably cache them.
             TextBox(d) => d.runs.foldl(au(0), |sum, run| {
                 au::max(sum, run.min_break_width())
             })
@@ -282,30 +348,99 @@ impl @Box {
 
         image
     }
+
+    // TODO: to implement stacking contexts correctly, we need to
+    // create a set of display lists, one per each layer of a stacking
+    // context. (CSS 2.1, Section 9.9.1). Each box is passed the list
+    // set representing the box's stacking context. When asked to
+    // construct its constituent display items, each box puts its
+    // DisplayItems into the correct stack layer (according to CSS 2.1
+    // Appendix E).  and then builder flattens the list at the end.
+
+    /* Methods for building a display list. This is a good candidate
+       for a function pointer as the number of boxes explodes.
+
+    # Arguments
+
+    * `builder` - the display list builder which manages the coordinate system and options.
+    * `dirty` - Dirty rectangle, in the coordinate system of the owning flow (self.ctx)
+    * `origin` - Total offset from display list root flow to this box's owning flow
+    * `list` - List to which items should be appended
+    */
+    fn build_display_list(builder: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, dirty: &Rect<au>, 
+                          offset: &Point2D<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+        if !self.data.position.intersects(dirty) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let bounds : Rect<au> = Rect(self.data.position.origin.add(offset),
+                                     copy self.data.position.size);
+
+        match self.kind {
+            TextBox(d) => {
+                let mut runs = d.runs;
+                // TODO: don't paint background for text boxes
+                list.push(~dl::SolidColor(bounds, 255u8, 255u8, 255u8));
+                
+                let mut bounds = bounds;
+                for uint::range(0, runs.len()) |i| {
+                    bounds.size.height = runs[i].size().height;
+                    let glyph_run = make_glyph_run(&runs[i]);
+                    list.push(~dl::Glyphs(bounds, glyph_run));
+                    bounds.origin.y += bounds.size.height;
+                }
+                return;
+
+                pure fn make_glyph_run(text_run: &TextRun) -> dl::GlyphRun {
+                    dl::GlyphRun {
+                        glyphs: copy text_run.glyphs
+                    }
+                }
+            },
+            // TODO: items for background, border, outline
+            GenericBox(*) => { },
+            ImageBox(*) => {
+                match self.get_image() {
+                    Some(image) => list.push(~dl::Image(bounds, image)),
+                    /* No image data at all? Okay, add some fallback content instead. */
+                    None => {
+                        // TODO: shouldn't need to unbox CSSValue by now
+                        let boxed_color = self.node.style().background_color;
+                        let color = match boxed_color {
+                            Specified(BgColor(c)) => c,
+                            Specified(BgTransparent) | _ => util::color::rgba(0,0,0,0.0)
+                        };
+                        list.push(~dl::SolidColor(bounds, color.red, color.green, color.blue));
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 // FIXME: Why do these have to be redefined for each node type?
 
-/* The tree holding boxes */
-enum BoxTree { BoxTree }
+/* The tree holding render box relations. (This should only be used 
+for painting nested inlines, AFAIK-- everything else depends on Flow tree)  */
+enum RenderBoxTree { RenderBoxTree }
 
-impl BoxTree : tree::ReadMethods<@Box> {
-    fn each_child(node: @Box, f: fn(&&@Box) -> bool) {
+impl RenderBoxTree : tree::ReadMethods<@RenderBox> {
+    fn each_child(node: @RenderBox, f: fn(&&@RenderBox) -> bool) {
         tree::each_child(self, node, f)
     }
 
-    fn with_tree_fields<R>(&&b: @Box, f: fn(tree::Tree<@Box>) -> R) -> R {
+    fn with_tree_fields<R>(&&b: @RenderBox, f: fn(tree::Tree<@RenderBox>) -> R) -> R {
         f(b.tree)
     }
 }
 
-impl BoxTree : tree::WriteMethods<@Box> {
-    fn add_child(parent: @Box, child: @Box) {
+impl RenderBoxTree : tree::WriteMethods<@RenderBox> {
+    fn add_child(parent: @RenderBox, child: @RenderBox) {
         assert !box::ptr_eq(parent, child);
         tree::add_child(self, parent, child)
     }
 
-    fn with_tree_fields<R>(&&b: @Box, f: fn(tree::Tree<@Box>) -> R) -> R {
+    fn with_tree_fields<R>(&&b: @RenderBox, f: fn(tree::Tree<@RenderBox>) -> R) -> R {
         f(b.tree)
     }
 }
@@ -354,7 +489,7 @@ impl @FlowContext : DebugMethods {
     }
 }
 
-impl @Box : DebugMethods {
+impl @RenderBox : DebugMethods {
     fn dump() {
         self.dump_indent(0u);
     }
@@ -369,7 +504,7 @@ impl @Box : DebugMethods {
         s += self.debug_str();
         debug!("%s", s);
 
-        for BoxTree.each_child(self) |kid| {
+        for RenderBoxTree.each_child(self) |kid| {
             kid.dump_indent(indent + 1u) 
         }
     }
@@ -412,9 +547,9 @@ mod test {
     }
     */
 
-    fn flat_bounds(root: @Box) -> ~[Rect<au>] {
+    fn flat_bounds(root: @RenderBox) -> ~[Rect<au>] {
         let mut r = ~[];
-        for tree::each_child(BoxTree, root) |c| {
+        for tree::each_child(RenderBoxTree, root) |c| {
             push_all(r, flat_bounds(c));
         }
 
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/block.rs b/src/servo/layout/block.rs
index ea566b2b780..d0bb7ed1547 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/block.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/block.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 use au = gfx::geometry;
 use css::values::*;
+use dl = gfx::display_list;
 use geom::point::Point2D;
+use geom::rect::Rect;
 use geom::size::Size2D;
 use gfx::geometry::au;
-use layout::base::{Box, FlowContext, FlowTree, InlineBlockFlow, BlockFlow, RootFlow};
+use layout::base::{RenderBox, FlowContext, FlowTree, InlineBlockFlow, BlockFlow, RootFlow};
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
 use util::tree;
 
 struct BlockFlowData {
-    mut box: Option<@Box>
+    mut box: Option<@RenderBox>
 }
 
 fn BlockFlowData() -> BlockFlowData {
@@ -20,11 +22,14 @@ fn BlockFlowData() -> BlockFlowData {
 trait BlockLayout {
     pure fn starts_block_flow() -> bool;
     pure fn access_block<T>(fn(&&BlockFlowData) -> T) -> T;
-    pure fn with_block_box(fn(&&@Box) -> ()) -> ();
+    pure fn with_block_box(fn(&&@RenderBox) -> ()) -> ();
 
     fn bubble_widths_block(ctx: &LayoutContext);
     fn assign_widths_block(ctx: &LayoutContext);
     fn assign_height_block(ctx: &LayoutContext);
+
+    fn build_display_list_block(a: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, b: &Rect<au>,
+                                c: &Point2D<au>, d: &dl::DisplayList);
 }
 
 impl @FlowContext : BlockLayout {
@@ -45,7 +50,7 @@ impl @FlowContext : BlockLayout {
 
     /* Get the current flow's corresponding block box, if it exists, and do something with it. 
        This works on both BlockFlow and RootFlow, since they are mostly the same. */
-    pure fn with_block_box(cb:fn(&&@Box) -> ()) -> () {
+    pure fn with_block_box(cb:fn(&&@RenderBox) -> ()) -> () {
         match self.kind {
             BlockFlow(*) => { 
                 do self.access_block |d| {
@@ -147,4 +152,22 @@ impl @FlowContext : BlockLayout {
             let (used_top, used_bot) = box.get_used_height();
         }
     }
+
+    fn build_display_list_block(builder: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, dirty: &Rect<au>, 
+                                offset: &Point2D<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+
+        assert self.starts_block_flow();
+        
+        // add box that starts block context
+        do self.with_block_box |box| {
+            box.build_display_list(builder, dirty, offset, list)
+        }
+
+        // TODO: handle any out-of-flow elements
+
+        // go deeper into the flow tree
+        for FlowTree.each_child(self) |child| {
+            self.build_display_list_for_child(builder, child, dirty, offset, list)
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/box_builder.rs b/src/servo/layout/box_builder.rs
index 25431ef48f6..d0089d423db 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/box_builder.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/box_builder.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use css::values::{CSSDisplay, DisplayBlock, DisplayInline, DisplayInlineBlock, D
 use css::values::{Inherit, Initial, Specified};
 use dom::base::{ElementData, HTMLDivElement, HTMLImageElement};
 use dom::base::{Element, Text, Node, Doctype, Comment, NodeTree};
-use layout::base::{Box, BoxData, GenericBox, ImageBox, TextBox, BoxTree};
+use layout::base::{RenderBox, BoxData, GenericBox, ImageBox, TextBox, RenderBoxTree};
 use layout::base::{FlowContext, FlowContextData, BlockFlow, InlineFlow, InlineBlockFlow, RootFlow, FlowTree};
 use layout::block::BlockFlowData;
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use servo_text::font_cache::FontCache;
 export LayoutTreeBuilder;
 
 struct LayoutTreeBuilder {
-    mut root_box: Option<@Box>,
+    mut root_box: Option<@RenderBox>,
     mut root_ctx: Option<@FlowContext>,
     mut next_bid: int,
     mut next_cid: int
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ impl LayoutTreeBuilder {
 
     /** Creates necessary box(es) and flow context(s) for the current DOM node,
     and recurses on its children. */
-    fn construct_recursively(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, cur_node: Node, parent_ctx: @FlowContext, parent_box: @Box) {
+    fn construct_recursively(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, cur_node: Node, parent_ctx: @FlowContext, parent_box: @RenderBox) {
         let style = cur_node.style();
         
         // DEBUG
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ impl LayoutTreeBuilder {
 
         // connect the box to its parent box
         debug!("Adding child box b%? of b%?", parent_box.id, new_box.id);
-        BoxTree.add_child(parent_box, new_box);
+        RenderBoxTree.add_child(parent_box, new_box);
     
         if (!next_ctx.eq(parent_ctx)) {
             debug!("Adding child flow f%? of f%?", parent_ctx.id, next_ctx.id);
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ impl LayoutTreeBuilder {
 
     /** entry point for box creation. Should only be 
     called on root DOM element. */
-    fn construct_trees(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, root: Node) -> Result<@Box, ()> {
+    fn construct_trees(layout_ctx: &LayoutContext, root: Node) -> Result<@RenderBox, ()> {
         self.root_ctx = Some(self.make_ctx(RootFlow(RootFlowData()), tree::empty()));
         self.root_box = Some(self.make_box(root, self.root_ctx.get(), GenericBox));
 
@@ -160,8 +160,8 @@ impl LayoutTreeBuilder {
         ret
     }
 
-    fn make_box(node : Node, ctx: @FlowContext, data: BoxData) -> @Box {
-        let ret = @Box(self.next_box_id(), node, ctx, data);
+    fn make_box(node : Node, ctx: @FlowContext, data: BoxData) -> @RenderBox {
+        let ret = @RenderBox(self.next_box_id(), node, ctx, data);
         debug!("Created box: %s", ret.debug_str());
         ret
     }
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/display_list_builder.rs b/src/servo/layout/display_list_builder.rs
index 6dbb98189cd..b62a5756d28 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/display_list_builder.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/display_list_builder.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-export build_display_list;
+export DisplayListBuilder;
 
 use au = gfx::geometry;
-use base::Box;
+use base::{RenderBox, RenderBoxTree};
 use css::values::{BgColor, BgTransparent, Specified};
 use dl = gfx::display_list;
 use dom::base::{Text, NodeScope};
@@ -13,118 +13,51 @@ use geom::rect::Rect;
 use geom::size::Size2D;
 use gfx::geometry::au;
 use layout::text::TextBoxData;
-use layout::base::{TextBox, BoxTree};
+use layout::base::{LayoutContext, FlowContext, TextBox};
 use servo_text::text_run::TextRun;
 use util::tree;
 use vec::push;
 
-/** 
-Builds a display list for a box and all its children
-*/
-fn build_display_list(box : @Box) -> dl::DisplayList {
-    let list = DVec();
-    build_display_list_from_origin(list, box, Point2D(au(0), au(0)));
-    return list;
+/** A builder object that manages display list builder should mainly
+ hold information about the initial request and desired result---for
+ example, whether the DisplayList to be used for painting or hit
+ testing. This can affect which boxes are created.
+
+ Right now, the builder isn't used for much, but it  establishes the
+ pattern we'll need once we support DL-based hit testing &c.  */
+struct DisplayListBuilder {
+    ctx:  &LayoutContext,
 }
 
-/**
-Builds a display list for a box and all its children.
 
-# Arguments
+trait FlowDisplayListBuilderMethods {
+    fn build_display_list(a: &DisplayListBuilder, b: &Rect<au>, c: &dl::DisplayList);
 
-* `box` - The box to build the display list for.
-* `origin` - The coordinates of upper-left corner of the box containing the
-             passed-in box.
+    fn build_display_list_for_child(a: &DisplayListBuilder, b: @FlowContext,
+                                    c: &Rect<au>, d: &Point2D<au>, e: &dl::DisplayList);
+}
 
-*/
-fn build_display_list_from_origin(list: dl::DisplayList, box: @Box, origin: Point2D<au>) {
-    let box_origin = Point2D(
-        au::from_px(au::to_px(origin.x) + au::to_px(box.data.position.origin.x)),
-        au::from_px(au::to_px(origin.y) + au::to_px(box.data.position.origin.y)));
-    debug!("Handed origin %?, box has bounds %?, starting with origin %?", origin, box.data.position.size, box_origin);
+impl @FlowContext: FlowDisplayListBuilderMethods {
 
-    box_to_display_items(list, box, box_origin);
+    fn build_display_list(builder: &DisplayListBuilder, dirty: &Rect<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+        let zero = au::zero_point();
+        self.build_display_list_recurse(builder, dirty, &zero, list);
+    }
 
-    for BoxTree.each_child(box) |c| {
-        debug!("Recursively building display list with origin %?", box_origin);
-        build_display_list_from_origin(list, c, box_origin);
-    }
-}
-
-/**
-Creates a display list item for a single block. 
-
-# Arguments 
-
-* `box` - The box to build the display list for
-* `origin` - The coordinates of upper-left corner of the passed in box.
-
-*/
-#[allow(non_implicitly_copyable_typarams)]
-fn box_to_display_items(list: dl::DisplayList, box: @Box, origin: Point2D<au>) {
-
-    // TODO: each box should know how to make its own display items.
-    // The display list builder should mainly hold information about
-    // the initial request and desired result---for example, is the 
-    // DisplayList to be used for painting or hit testing. This can
-    // influence which boxes are created.
-
-    // TODO: to implement stacking contexts correctly, we need to
-    // create a set of display lists, one per each layer of a stacking
-    // context. (CSS 2.1, Section 9.9.1). Each box is passed the list
-    // set representing the box's stacking context. When asked to
-    // construct its constituent display items, each box puts its
-    // DisplayItems into the correct stack layer (according to CSS 2.1
-    // Appendix E).  and then builder flattens the list at the end.
-    
-    debug!("request to display a box from origin %?", origin);
-
-    let bounds : Rect<au> = Rect(origin, copy box.data.position.size);
-
-    match box.kind {
-      TextBox(d) => {
-        let mut runs = d.runs;
-        list.push(~dl::SolidColor(bounds, 255u8, 255u8, 255u8));
-
-        let mut bounds = bounds;
-        for uint::range(0, runs.len()) |i| {
-            bounds.size.height = runs[i].size().height;
-            let glyph_run = text_run_to_dl_glyph_run(& runs[i]);
-            list.push(~dl::Glyphs(bounds, glyph_run));
-            bounds.origin.y += bounds.size.height;
-        }
-        return;
-
-        pure fn text_run_to_dl_glyph_run(text_run: &TextRun) ->
-                dl::GlyphRun {
-            dl::GlyphRun {
-                glyphs: copy text_run.glyphs
-            }
-        }
-      }
-      _ => {
-        // Fall through
-      }
-    };
-
-    // Check if there is a background image, if not set the background color.
-    let image = box.get_image();
-    
-    if image.is_some() {
-        list.push(~dl::Image(bounds, option::unwrap(image)))
-    } else {
-        // DAC
-        // TODO: shouldn't need to unbox CSSValue by now
-        let boxed_color = box.node.style().background_color;
-        let color = match boxed_color {
-            Specified(BgColor(c)) => c,
-            Specified(BgTransparent) | _ => util::color::rgba(0,0,0,0.0)
-        };
-        debug!("Assigning color %? to box with bounds %?", color, bounds);
-        list.push(~dl::SolidColor(bounds, color.red, color.green, color.blue));
+    fn build_display_list_for_child(builder: &DisplayListBuilder, child: @FlowContext,
+                                    dirty: &Rect<au>, offset: &Point2D<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+
+        // adjust the dirty rect to child flow context coordinates
+        let adj_dirty = dirty.translate(&child.data.position.origin);
+        let adj_offset = offset.add(&child.data.position.origin);
+
+        if (adj_dirty.intersects(&child.data.position)) {
+            child.build_display_list_recurse(builder, &adj_dirty, &adj_offset, list);
+        }
     }
 }
 
+/* TODO: redo unit tests, if possible?gn
 
 fn should_convert_text_boxes_to_solid_color_background_items() {
     #[test];
@@ -212,3 +145,4 @@ fn should_calculate_the_bounds_of_the_text_items() {
 
     do list.borrow |l| { assert l[1].bounds == expected; }
 }
+*/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/inline.rs b/src/servo/layout/inline.rs
index 29907d11236..f052dcf2ba9 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/inline.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/inline.rs
@@ -1,18 +1,44 @@
 use au = gfx::geometry;
-use base::Box;
+use base::RenderBox;
 use core::dvec::DVec;
 use css::values::{BoxAuto, BoxLength, Px};
+use dl = gfx::display_list;
 use dom::rcu;
 use geom::point::Point2D;
+use geom::rect::Rect;
 use geom::size::Size2D;
 use gfx::geometry::au;
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
-use layout::base::{FlowContext, InlineFlow, BoxTree, ImageBox, TextBox, GenericBox};
+use layout::base::{FlowContext, InlineFlow, RenderBoxTree, ImageBox, TextBox, GenericBox};
 use num::Num;
 use util::tree;
 
+/*
+Tentative design: (may not line up with reality)
+
+Lineboxes are represented as offsets into the child list, rather than
+as an object that "owns" boxes. Choosing a different set of line
+breaks requires a new list of offsets, and possibly some splitting and
+merging of TextBoxes.
+
+A similar list will keep track of the mapping between CSS boxes and
+the corresponding render boxes in the inline flow.
+
+After line breaks are determined, lender boxes in the inline flow may
+overlap visually. For example, in the case of nested inline CSS boxes,
+outer inlines must be at least as large as the inner inlines, for
+purposes of drawing noninherited things like backgrounds, borders,
+outlines.
+
+N.B. roc has an alternative design where the list instead consists of
+things like "start outer box, text, start inner box, text, end inner
+box, text, end outer box, text". This seems a little complicated to
+serve as the starting point, but the current design doesn't make it
+hard to try out that alternative.
+*/
+
 struct InlineFlowData {
-    boxes: ~DVec<@Box>
+    boxes: ~DVec<@RenderBox>
 }
 
 fn InlineFlowData() -> InlineFlowData {
@@ -28,6 +54,7 @@ trait InlineLayout {
     fn bubble_widths_inline(ctx: &LayoutContext);
     fn assign_widths_inline(ctx: &LayoutContext);
     fn assign_height_inline(ctx: &LayoutContext);
+    fn build_display_list_inline(a: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, b: &Rect<au>, c: &Point2D<au>, d: &dl::DisplayList);
 }
 
 impl @FlowContext : InlineLayout {
@@ -116,4 +143,27 @@ impl @FlowContext : InlineLayout {
         // during inline flowing.
     }
 
+    fn build_display_list_inline(builder: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, dirty: &Rect<au>, 
+                                 offset: &Point2D<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+
+        assert self.starts_inline_flow();
+
+        // TODO: if the CSS box introducing this inline context is *not* anonymous,
+        // we need to draw it too, in a way similar to BlowFlowContext
+
+        // TODO: once we form line boxes and have their cached bounds, we can be 
+        // smarter and not recurse on a line if nothing in it can intersect dirty
+        do self.access_inline |d| {
+            for d.boxes.each |box| {
+                box.build_display_list(builder, dirty, offset, list)
+            }
+        }
+
+        // TODO: should inline-block elements have flows as children
+        // of the inline flow, or should the flow be nested inside the
+        // box somehow? Maybe it's best to unify flows and boxes into
+        // the same enum, so inline-block flows are normal
+        // (indivisible) children in the inline flow child list.
+    }
+
 } // @FlowContext : InlineLayout
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/layout_task.rs b/src/servo/layout/layout_task.rs
index d71a4050a68..9aa88977e6c 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/layout_task.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/layout_task.rs
@@ -6,16 +6,17 @@
 use au = gfx::geometry;
 use au::au;
 use content::content_task;
+use core::dvec::DVec;
 use css::resolve::apply::apply_style;
 use css::values::Stylesheet;
-use display_list_builder::build_display_list;
+use dl = gfx::display_list;
 use dom::base::Node;
 use dom::event::{Event, ReflowEvent};
 use geom::point::Point2D;
 use geom::rect::Rect;
 use geom::size::Size2D;
 use gfx::render_task;
-use layout::base::Box;
+use layout::base::RenderBox;
 use layout::box_builder::LayoutTreeBuilder;
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
 use render_task::RenderTask;
@@ -67,14 +68,15 @@ fn LayoutTask(render_task: RenderTask, image_cache_task: ImageCacheTask) -> Layo
                         layout_data_refs += node.initialize_style_for_subtree();
                         node.recompute_style_for_subtree(&layout_ctx, styles);
 
-                        let root_box: @Box;
+                        // TODO: this should care about root flow, not root box.
+                        let root_box: @RenderBox;
                         let builder = LayoutTreeBuilder();
                         match builder.construct_trees(&layout_ctx, node) {
                             Ok(root) => root_box = root,
                             Err(*) => fail ~"Root node should always exist"
                         }
 
-                        debug!("layout: constructed Box tree");
+                        debug!("layout: constructed RenderBox tree");
                         root_box.dump();
 
                         debug!("layout: constructed Flow tree");
@@ -90,7 +92,13 @@ fn LayoutTask(render_task: RenderTask, image_cache_task: ImageCacheTask) -> Layo
                         do root_flow.traverse_preorder |f| { f.assign_widths(&layout_ctx) }
                         do root_flow.traverse_postorder |f| { f.assign_height(&layout_ctx) }
 
-                        let dlist = build_display_list(root_box);
+                        let dlist = DVec();
+                        let builder = dl::DisplayListBuilder {
+                            ctx: &layout_ctx,
+                        };
+                        // TODO: set options on the builder before building
+                        // TODO: be smarter about what needs painting
+                        root_flow.build_display_list(&builder, &copy root_flow.data.position, &dlist);
                         render_task.send(render_task::RenderMsg(dlist));
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/root.rs b/src/servo/layout/root.rs
index 96070d94c9f..e3a0ca35cfc 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/root.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/root.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 use au = gfx::geometry;
 use css::values::*;
+use dl = gfx::display_list;
+use geom::point::Point2D;
+use geom::rect::Rect;
 use gfx::geometry::au;
-use layout::base::{Box, FlowContext, FlowTree, InlineBlockFlow, BlockFlow, RootFlow};
+use layout::base::{RenderBox, FlowContext, FlowTree, InlineBlockFlow, BlockFlow, RootFlow};
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
 use util::tree;
 
 struct RootFlowData {
-    mut box: Option<@Box>
+    mut box: Option<@RenderBox>
 }
 
 fn RootFlowData() -> RootFlowData {
@@ -22,6 +25,8 @@ trait RootLayout {
     fn bubble_widths_root(ctx: &LayoutContext);
     fn assign_widths_root(ctx: &LayoutContext);
     fn assign_height_root(ctx: &LayoutContext);
+
+    fn build_display_list_root(a: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, b: &Rect<au>, c: &Point2D<au>, d: &dl::DisplayList);
 }
 
 impl @FlowContext : RootLayout {
@@ -58,4 +63,11 @@ impl @FlowContext : RootLayout {
 
         self.assign_height_block(ctx);
     }
+
+    fn build_display_list_root(builder: &dl::DisplayListBuilder, dirty: &Rect<au>, 
+                               offset: &Point2D<au>, list: &dl::DisplayList) {
+        assert self.starts_root_flow();
+        
+        self.build_display_list_block(builder, dirty, offset, list);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/text.rs b/src/servo/layout/text.rs
index b2335f870b6..ca39b48836c 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/text.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/text.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use geom::size::Size2D;
 use gfx::geometry::au;
 use servo_text::text_run::TextRun;
 use servo_text::font_cache::FontCache;
-use layout::base::{TextBox, Box};
+use layout::base::{TextBox, RenderBox};
 use layout::context::LayoutContext;
 
 struct TextBoxData {
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ trait TextLayout {
 }
 
 #[doc="The main reflow routine for text layout."]
-impl @Box : TextLayout {
+impl @RenderBox : TextLayout {
     fn reflow_text(ctx: &LayoutContext) {
         let d = match self.kind {
             TextBox(d) => { d }
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ impl @Box : TextLayout {
     }
 }
 
+/* TODO: new unit tests for TextBox splitting, etc
 fn should_calculate_the_size_of_the_text_box() {
     #[test];
     #[ignore(cfg(target_os = "macos"))];
@@ -97,3 +98,4 @@ fn should_calculate_the_size_of_the_text_box() {
     let expected = Size2D(au::from_px(84), au::from_px(20));
     assert b.data.position.size == expected;
 }
+*/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/traverse.rs b/src/servo/layout/traverse.rs
index ad2c5fd22e4..a92564c4944 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/traverse.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/traverse.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
 /** Interface for running tree-based traversals over layout boxes and contextsg */
 
-use layout::base::{Box, BoxTree};
+use layout::base::{RenderBox, RenderBoxTree};
 use layout::base::{FlowContext, FlowTree};
 
-trait BoxTraversals {
-    fn traverse_preorder(preorder_cb: &fn(@Box));
+/* TODO: we shouldn't need render box traversals  */
+trait RenderBoxTraversals {
+    fn traverse_preorder(preorder_cb: &fn(@RenderBox));
 }
 
-impl @Box : BoxTraversals {
-    fn traverse_preorder(preorder_cb: &fn(@Box)) {
+impl @RenderBox : RenderBoxTraversals {
+    fn traverse_preorder(preorder_cb: &fn(@RenderBox)) {
         preorder_cb(self);
-        do BoxTree.each_child(self) |child| { child.traverse_preorder(preorder_cb); true }
+        do RenderBoxTree.each_child(self) |child| { child.traverse_preorder(preorder_cb); true }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/servo/layout/traverse_parallel.rs b/src/servo/layout/traverse_parallel.rs
index c7c7271cc78..802604242f7 100644
--- a/src/servo/layout/traverse_parallel.rs
+++ b/src/servo/layout/traverse_parallel.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
 #[doc = "Interface for running tree-based traversals over layout boxes"]
-use base::{Box, BoxTree};
+use base::{RenderBox, RenderBoxTree};
 use intrinsic::TyDesc;
 
 export full_traversal;
@@ -22,14 +22,14 @@ type shared_box<T> = {
 };
 
 #[doc="Transform and @ into its underlying representation.  The reference count stays constant."]
-fn unwrap_box(-b : @Box) -> *shared_box<Box> unsafe {
-    let new_box : *shared_box<Box> = unsafe::transmute(b);
+fn unwrap_box(-b : @RenderBox) -> *shared_box<RenderBox> unsafe {
+    let new_box : *shared_box<RenderBox> = unsafe::transmute(b);
     return new_box;
 }
 
 #[doc="Transform an underlying representation back to an @.  The reference count stays constant."]
-fn rewrap_box(-b : *shared_box<Box>) -> @Box unsafe {
-    let new_box : @Box = unsafe::transmute(b);
+fn rewrap_box(-b : *shared_box<RenderBox>) -> @RenderBox unsafe {
+    let new_box : @RenderBox = unsafe::transmute(b);
     return new_box;
 }
 
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ finish, and then applies the second function to the current box.
                 applied to that node's children
 
 "]
-fn traverse_helper<T : Copy Send>(-root : @Box, returned : T, -top_down : fn~(+T, @Box) -> T,
-                      -bottom_up : fn~(@Box)) {
+fn traverse_helper<T : Copy Send>(-root : @RenderBox, returned : T, -top_down : fn~(+T, @RenderBox) -> T,
+                      -bottom_up : fn~(@RenderBox)) {
     let returned = top_down(returned, root);
 
     do listen |ack_chan| { 
@@ -67,21 +67,21 @@ fn traverse_helper<T : Copy Send>(-root : @Box, returned : T, -top_down : fn~(+T
         // current task will block until all of it's children return,
         // so the original owner of the @-box will not exit while the
         // children are still live.
-        for BoxTree.each_child(root) |kid| {
+        for RenderBoxTree.each_child(root) |kid| {
             count += 1;
 
             // Unwrap the box so we can send it out of this task
             let unwrapped = unwrap_box(copy kid);
             // Hide the box in an option so we can get it across the
             // task boundary without copying it
-            let swappable : ~mut Option<*shared_box<Box>> = ~mut Some(unwrapped);
+            let swappable : ~mut Option<*shared_box<RenderBox>> = ~mut Some(unwrapped);
 
             do task::spawn |copy top_down, copy bottom_up| {
                 // Get the box out of the option and into the new task
                 let mut swapped_in = None;
                 swapped_in <-> *swappable;
 
-                // Retrieve the original @Box and recurse
+                // Retrieve the original @RenderBox and recurse
                 let new_kid = rewrap_box(option::unwrap(swapped_in));
                 traverse_helper(new_kid, copy returned, copy top_down, copy bottom_up);
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ fn traverse_helper<T : Copy Send>(-root : @Box, returned : T, -top_down : fn~(+T
 }
 
 #[doc="A noneffectful function to be used if only one pass is required."]
-fn nop(_box : @Box) {
+fn nop(_box : @RenderBox) {
     return;
 }
 
@@ -105,15 +105,15 @@ fn nop(_box : @Box) {
    A wrapper to change a function that only acts on a box to one that
    threasds a unit through to match travserse_helper
 "]
-fn unit_wrapper(-fun : fn~(@Box)) -> fn~(+(), @Box) {
-    fn~(+_u : (), box : @Box) { fun(box); }
+fn unit_wrapper(-fun : fn~(@RenderBox)) -> fn~(+(), @RenderBox) {
+    fn~(+_u : (), box : @RenderBox) { fun(box); }
 }
 
 #[doc="
    Iterate in parallel over the boxes in a tree, applying one function
    to a parent before recursing on its children and one after.
 "]
-fn full_traversal(+root : @Box, -top_down : fn~(@Box), -bottom_up : fn~(@Box)) {
+fn full_traversal(+root : @RenderBox, -top_down : fn~(@RenderBox), -bottom_up : fn~(@RenderBox)) {
     traverse_helper(root, (), unit_wrapper(top_down), bottom_up);
 }
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ fn full_traversal(+root : @Box, -top_down : fn~(@Box), -bottom_up : fn~(@Box)) {
    Iterate in parallel over the boxes in a tree, applying the given
    function to a parent before its children.
 "]
-fn top_down_traversal(+root : @Box, -top_down : fn~(@Box)) {
+fn top_down_traversal(+root : @RenderBox, -top_down : fn~(@RenderBox)) {
     traverse_helper(root, (), unit_wrapper(top_down), nop);
 }
 
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ fn top_down_traversal(+root : @Box, -top_down : fn~(@Box)) {
    Iterate in parallel over the boxes in a tree, applying the given
    function to a parent after its children.
 "]
-fn bottom_up_traversal(+root : @Box, -bottom_up : fn~(@Box)) {
+fn bottom_up_traversal(+root : @RenderBox, -bottom_up : fn~(@RenderBox)) {
     traverse_helper(root, (), unit_wrapper(nop), bottom_up);
 }
 
@@ -140,9 +140,9 @@ fn bottom_up_traversal(+root : @Box, -bottom_up : fn~(@Box)) {
    the recursion unwinds, the second function is applied to first the
    children in parallel, and then the parent.
 "]
-fn extended_full_traversal<T : Copy Send>(+root : @Box, first_val : T, 
-                                          -top_down : fn~(+T, @Box) -> T,
-                                          -bottom_up : fn~(@Box)) {
+fn extended_full_traversal<T : Copy Send>(+root : @RenderBox, first_val : T, 
+                                          -top_down : fn~(+T, @RenderBox) -> T,
+                                          -bottom_up : fn~(@RenderBox)) {
     traverse_helper(root, first_val, top_down, bottom_up);
 }
 
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ fn extended_full_traversal<T : Copy Send>(+root : @Box, first_val : T,
    function to a parent before its children, the value returned by the
    function is passed to each child when they are recursed upon.
 "]
-fn extended_top_down_traversal<T : Copy Send>(+root : @Box, first_val : T,
-                                              -top_down : fn~(+T, @Box) -> T) {
+fn extended_top_down_traversal<T : Copy Send>(+root : @RenderBox, first_val : T,
+                                              -top_down : fn~(+T, @RenderBox) -> T) {
     traverse_helper(root, first_val, top_down, nop);
 }