There is no map.

For Wisconsin’s 23 energy-independent model communities, gut feelings and limited research are the only guides when deciding how best to spend state grant money to improve energy efficiency.

Eyleen Chou couldn’t hear the screams.

She did not see the buildings collapse as lives and entire families were wiped out in an instant.

Five years ago, Jim Hoffman’s company won a national award for mentoring a smaller firm.

Choosing to help the Wood family was easy for Tom Thayer. Helping the Woods was difficult.

The last 15 months punished the road building and construction equipment industries, leaving many companies crying uncle.

Fred Stier understands fear.

In 1979, he was a project superintendent starting out in the construction industry, and the economy was in a free fall.

Although unusual in Wisconsin, dam inspections that require engineers strap on safety gear and climb onto the dams in search of cracks and other damage can be unforgettable experiences for the men and women involved.

The old design rules are changing.

Collaboration is taking priority over efficiency when designing spaces that once would have segregated workers into distinct pods to keep them focused on the task at hand.

This year’s awards mark the largest collection of Newsmakers yet: 21 awards recognizing a variety of standout industry members. Four new awards selected in cooperation with WasteCap Resource Solutions Inc. celebrate achievements in recycling and green innovations. Traditional award categories such as Developer of the Year and Architect of the Year are joined by newer categories such as Estimator of the Year. Across the board, all 21 of this year’s winners were standouts in a tough year for the industry.

Wauwatosa-based AG Architecture Inc. does not make its clients choose between panache and practicality.