WELCOME
At the Athena Institute, we believe that better information and tools are critical to achieving a sustainable built environment.
We also believe that a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to
sustainability is the only way to create a level playing field for the vast array of building materials in use.
From our Canadian offices, and through our US affiliate, Athena Institute International, the not-for-profit Athena
organization undertakes and directs innovative research and development activities that allow architects, engineers
and others to factor environmental considerations into the design process from the conceptual stage onward.
Over the past decade, the Institute has developed groundbreaking software, world-class databases and customized
consulting services–as well as a worldwide reputation in the field of sustainable building and LCA. We also offer the only tools in North America for the life cycle assessment of whole buildings and assemblies:
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Allows users to evaluate whole buildings and assemblies based on internationally recognized LCA methodology.
Attention Version 4 Users:
Important update released Jan 2010 (Version 4.0.66).
Click
here
to download.
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Provides instant LCA results for more than 400 common building assemblies
(free of charge).
Version 3.3 now available!
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Award Winning Tool
Since its launch in July, 2007, the EcoCalculator has been recognized with awards for innovation from both the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC).
The US EPA named the EcoCalculator a winner of its inaugural Lifecycle Building Challenge competition in September, 2007
in the category of Professional Built Tool/Service. Conducted in cooperation with the Building Materials Reuse Association,
the American Institute of Architects and West Coast Green, the competition recognized award winners for cutting–edge green
building ideas that aim to reduce environmental and energy impacts of buildings.
For more information see
www.lifecyclebuilding.org
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The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC)’s Beyond Green™ Awards recognize initiatives that shape, inform and
catalyze the high–performance building market, as well as the real–world application of high–performance construction
practices. The SBIC selected the EcoCalculator as a Beyond Green Award winner in 2007 in the High Performance Initiatives
Category, for Innovative Initiative. Visit
www.sbicouncil.org
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Click the images above for more information.
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an internationally recognized approach to evaluating
the impacts that a product or process has on the environment over the course of
its entire life. For buildings, LCA considers materials, assemblies or even whole
structures from extraction through manufacturing, installation, use, maintenance
and disposal or recycling, in terms of quantifiable impact indicators such as global
warming potential. It allows design and construction professionals to make the
kind of informed, scientifically-based choices that lead to better buildings.
Clearview Elementary School
Clearview Elementary School in Hanover, PA was assessed by the US National
Team in the Green Building Challenge 2002 process. Life cycle assessment
of the building was conducted by the Athena Institute.
Jackson Triggs Estate Winery
The Jackson Triggs Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario was
selected for full assessment by the Canadian National Team in the Green
Building Challenge 2002 process. Life cycle assessment of the building
was conducted by the Athena Institute.
Red River College
Red River College, Princess Street Campus, in Winnipeg, Manitoba was
selected for full assessment by the Canadian National Team in the Green
Building Challenge 2002 process. Life cycle assessment of the building
was conducted by the Athena Institute.
Battery Park City 18A, 'The Solaire'
Battery Park City 18A, 'The Solaire' in New York City, NY was assessed by
the US National Team in the Green Building Challenge 2002 process.
Life cycle assessment of the building was conducted using the Institute's
Environmental Impact Estimator software.
