Hill┬ácountry living┬áKeith Regan learns how building the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa has made Austin Commercial keep a light environmental footprint while dealing with some unexpected challenges. ┬áWhen it was first conceived a decade ago, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa met with considerable skepticism from parts of the community in the area just northeast of San Antonio, Texas.

City within a city┬áPreparing the infrastructure for presidential inaugurations is just one of the responsibilities of the Architect of the Capitol. Come along as April Terreri discovers other roles that the Architect performs for our nationÔÇÖs Capitol. Most people in the US probably have never heard of the office of the Architect of the Capitol.

A hub of activity┬áThough at first glance airports appear to have their own captive markets, behind the scenes there is a great deal of competitive activity, as Alan Swaby learns. At Montr├®al-Trudeau International Airport, visitors from the United States are a pretty pampered lot. In order to give them a last taste of Canadian relaxation before being reabsorbed into the hurly-burly of home life, American visitors are allowed to clear customs and immigration back into the US before theyÔÇÖve even finished their trip to Quebec.

Swept along in a whirlwind┬áDemand for wind and solar power systems has turned AEE Solar into a giant almost without it realizing what was happening, as Alan T Swaby learns. In certain circles, the installation of renewable energy sources is something of a lifestyle statement. Solar panels on the roof of a house are a declaration that the owner is doing his part for the survival of the planet.

Vision for the future┬áAs Keith Regan learns, contact lens distributor ABB Concise is adding e-commerce and one-day delivery to its services to free doctors to spend more time with patients while staying profitable in a competitive marketplace. Through organic growth and acquisition, ABB Concise Optical Group has grown into the largest distributor of contact lenses and related products in the United States, with a distribution network that enables next-day delivery to thousands of independent eye care professionals.

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Two exceptionally energy-efficient sports facilities in Pennsylvania have earned accolades this month because of their flexible design and energy-saving features.  The Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, in State College, PA and Penn State Recreation Hall Wrestling and Student Fitness Center were designed and engineered by L. Robert Kimball & Associates, an architectural, engineering, technology and consulting firm.

Carmaker Porsche says it has agreed to a merger with fellow German manufacturer Volkswagen (VW), a move that should unite 10 brands under one roof. ┬á After weeks of talks between the two firms' management, discussions will now take place between the two carmakers, VWÔÇÖs home state of Lower Saxony, and employee representatives.