Institute Services
Consulting Services |
|
The Institute offers a range of consulting services tailored to meet a client's needs in a cost-effective manner, including:
1. Building Assessments
Design teams can use ATHENA® software tools directly to assess the structural systems of a building, or the Institute can assist with this and other assessment tasks in a variety of ways. For example, we can:
- Participate in design charrettes or as members of a design team at the conceptual stage, assessing structural system alternatives in real time and providing immediate feedback to the team
- Separately assess and compare conceptual design options using just the software for structural systems, or a combination of the software and other databases for a more complete assessment of the structural and envelope alternatives
- Work with more detailed drawings and project specifications at later design stages or once a building profile is complete, generally using ‘reverse engineering’ to adjust project details to fit the software and databases
The above services can also be applied to retrofits or major renovations.
2. Product or Process LCA
The Institute has successfully initiated and managed an extensive series of studies comprising one of the most highly regarded building product LCI databases in the world. We can therefore offer the following data-related services:
- Assistance with basic strategic decisions about undertaking LCI, or full LCA studies
- Advice and guidance on study design to meet stated objectives in a cost effective manner consistent with international LCA standards or guidelines
- Peer review of draft study reports
- Direct involvement in the preparation of terms of reference and consultant selection
- Direct management of studies on a client’s behalf
- Full responsibility for a study to meet client terms of reference, including sub–contracting as required, study management, accountability and final reporting
3. Carbon Footprint Consulting Service
(Click here for more details about our Carbon Foot Consulting Service.)
The Institute is offering a new carbon footprint consulting service in response to the growing need to address global warming.
The Institute’s commitment is to follow ISO compliant methodologies to independently quantify or verify the carbon footprint of any North American building materials project or organization. We help our members and clients quantify their carbon footprint and then assist them in achieving carbon neutrality by :
- identifying carbon "hotspots" and targeting internal conservation and efficiency opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- providing guidance on choosing high quality offsets from the myriad of carbon offset programs and options.
4. Training
Sustainability Training – The Athena Institute is continually working to broaden the awareness of LCA, sustainable materials, and sustainability of the built environment. To that end, we offer workshops and seminars on the principles and practice of LCA and the range of available tools and techniques.
The Institute also offers customized training to fit the specific needs of an organization, as well as expert speakers for conferences and events.
Software Training – Although the ATHENA Impact Estimator for Buildings is user friendly and intuitive, clients may find it useful to have more formal hands-on training. Programs can be tailored to suit the interests, background and requirements of specific groups, but a typical session would include the following:
- A detailed discussion of the approach to and use of LCA data, including the interpretation of results
- A description of the Estimator followed by an overview demonstration of its use
- Hands–on use of the Estimator by the individuals being trained
A small group session (1-5 trainees) can be completed in half a day, while a full-day session is recommended for larger groups (6-10 trainees) to ensure adequate individual attention. Full-day sessions can also be developed for small groups, with trainees entering and fully assessing a complete case study building design.
5. General Sustainability Consulting
The task of improving sustainability is complex and confusing, whether one is looking at a single building, an infrastructure project (such as a road or bridge), or broader segments of the built environment. In addition to the array of tools, procedures, and rules-of-thumb, there is a long and growing list of organizations, guidelines, standards and data formats. As a result, we are frequently asked to provide general sustainability guidance to help an organization understand the often contradictory information available and determine the best course of action.