Parking facilities riff on new uses as the automobile's role evolves.

Engineers push buildings to higher levels of earthquake performance.

Schools on tight urban sites are raising the roof.

Expressive structure makes a gallery, a performing-arts center, and two new museums stand out. This section highlights extraordinary construction and engineering achievements.

Architects and their clients turn to the next frontier in building operations—garbage.

New guidelines and rating systems help architects design buildings that can respond to a broad range of threats.

Architects designing open offices tackle the common annoyance of workplace noise.

A string of proposed projects aims to reclaim urban waterways for people.

Four towers make their mark with inventive facades, innovative structural systems, and new strategies for defining public space—and they still meet the sky in graceful ways.

This special section, which also serves as Continuing Education, examines firms of varying sizes and the challenges—and opportunities—that they face today.