SERVICES FOR CLIENTS NOT SEEKING CERTIFICATION
• Identification of Opportunity for Efficiency
Every building has the potential of improved efficiency. Every building can be a healthier and more productive environment.
Our expert staff members review your existing facilities and maintenance programs looking for opportunities for improvement. This includes but is not limited to HVAC, building envelope, lighting, controls, equipment, cleaning and maintenance issues, recycling programs, and system upgrades. All are evaluated with the purpose of maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impact on humans and the environment.
We also review cleaning and maintenance programs, recycling programs, and site systems.
• Product and Material Research
We will also provide research into sustainable products, materials and finishes, and equipment when you need advice before making purchasing decisions.
• Peer Reviews for Architectural Projects
We are well versed in multiple codes including IBC, FBC, FHA, ADA, NFPA life safety code. Before submission to any agency, we can provide a very detailed peer review to improve your project documents and help minimize changes before a project goes to bid. This also bolsters the design team's reputation saving you valuable time in a Building department or Fire review.
• Research and Post-Occupancy Evaluation
We will work with you after your building has been up-and-running to measure the achievement of the intended outcomes of your project. This is a service beyond commissioning. We are interested in contributing to your knowledge of your building, providing on-going opportunity to improve, as well as increasing the greater body of knowledge around the design of energy efficient buildings.
SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF CERTIFICATION
• Strategy and Planning
Before a building can be certified, there are a variety of decisions to be made and strategies to be adopted for any project. As specialists in providing critical advice, design review, and guidance and support during all project phases, we know what strategies will assure an efficiently run project.
The input we can provide by joining your team at the earliest stage possible will be to your highest benefit. At the beginning of a project where key decisions are made, and in particular LEED commitments, we can provide proven strategic recommendations to optimize your invested resources.
• Design Review
Our design review services can assist you in achieving LEED (or sustainable) certification. Our knowledge of the underlying intent of certification credits qualifies us to proactively advise you on achieving the highest level of recognition.
Review can include HVAC, building envelope, interior lighting, controls and other equipment. We also review cleaning and maintenance programs, recycling programs, exterior lighting and site systems. We review all applicable choices with the purpose of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts.
We will also facilitate meetings between vendors and your engineering consultants for early evaluation of equipment and building materials, before purchasing commitments are made.
• Peer Review for LEED (stand alone services)
We provide an efficient, cost effective and timely Peer Review service for any project. We provide detailed comments on every Credit and present suitable options for how to improve a submission.
• Construction Document, Specification and Sub-contract clauses Review
We provide specialized input for architects, owners and contractors in the compilation of contract documents for LEED Certification purposes.
Our expert staff will review your drawings and specifications, looking for opportunities to improve all building operation and maintenance systems. Our review will also verify that your documents clearly address all the credits you seek to achieve.
Establishing accurate and thorough LEED Certification clauses for specifications or sub-contracts is vital in instructing the builder and sub-contractors about how to achieve LEED Certification. We can review and advise with this goal in mind.
• LEED Certification Submissions
The compilation of a submission is a time consuming task. It requires being committed to gathering documentation that demonstrates the building's attributes as measured by the USGBC rating system. We provide this service in a range of formats and to the degree as required by each individual client or project team. Our experience with the process allows us to proceed efficiently with quality results.
We will also create submission documents for LEED credit compliance.
• Construction Administration
We work closer and can also partner with the General Contractor for the duration of the construction program. We stay involved during construction until the verification that all systems perform in accordance with the owner's project requirements.
• Contractor Documentation Assistance
We provide support and/or training for contractors to help you bring the most crucial part of the project to realization. Once you are in the construction phase, the quality of the LEED Certification submission depends heavily on good communication, sub-contractor understanding of the requirements and thorough document control practices. We can provide on-the-job support as part of our LEED Management.
• Commissioning
We work directly with the owner to verify that planning, design, construction and operational processes achieve their goals. We ensure the delivery of a optimal performance building with high quality and asset value. A commissioned building provides optimized energy efficiency, excellent indoor air quality, low operation and maintenance costs.
The commissioning process starts at pre-design to document the owner's project requirements, then continues through the design and construction phases, including testing, and concludes after one year of occupancy.
• Micma International
Our firm can service a variety of projects/owners in many countries. We work very close with World Green Building Council members. We understand different building systems, green rating systems and materials from around the world.
We work in close collaboration with local architects, engineers, contractors and developers from the project's host country or region. We adapt our service and knowledge to complement the local expertise to achieve a common goal, sustainability.
• LEED for Multifamily, Commercial and mixed-use Projects
Today more builders are realizing the benefits of utilizing cost-effective design and energy efficient systems. We are awakening to the fact that LEED or sustainable strategies create healthier and more durable buildings, lower operating costs and support local suppliers.
Micma has developed an efficient LEED project management process to assist design teams, builders and owners achieve LEED Certification. Through this process we guide the team in meeting the requirements, from design through the construction phase.
We encourage you to differentiate yourself from what is already out there and implement green practice in your multifamily buildings.
• Healthcare Projects
The design of healthcare environments is complex already, but today the goal of providing a healing environment for patients and staff includes sustainable initiatives. We can assist you in applying the Green Guide for Health Care to your project.
Much of the improvement in healthcare environments has evolved from Evidence-Based Design. One of the first architects in the United States to receive the EDAC credential from the Center for Health Design is a member of our team. We can provide full architectural services for your healthcare project from conceptual design to occupancy.
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