ATASA Laboratories
ATASA Laboratories is the research and creative innovation branch of the Advocacy Through Art and Sciences Association (ATASA). Here, science, art, and technology merge into one workspace dedicated to discovery, design, and environmental understanding.
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Our laboratories connect data science and cultural inquiry with field-based observation. Artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, traditional instruments, and creative tools all work side by side — allowing researchers, artists, and students to build new ways of seeing the world.
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The main laboratory is located at Bank Street and Laurier Avenue West in Ottawa, with additional facilities and archival collections housed at our Richmond Hill office. Together, these spaces form a living research environment where natural science meets imagination.
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ATASA Laboratories was founded on the belief that science should not exist in isolation.
Our vision is to create an open, interdisciplinary environment where artificial intelligence, environmental data, and the arts inspire one another to solve complex problems — from urban sustainability to cultural heritage preservation.
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We bring together geographers, ecologists, artists, programmers, and social scientists in one collaborative space that encourages innovation, dialogue, and experimentation.
Equipment and Resource Lending
ATASA believes that scientific and creative tools should be shared resources.
Nearly all materials — from field equipment to high-performance computers — can be borrowed for ATASA-approved research and creative projects.
Available for loan:
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Theodolites, GPS and GNSS units, tripods, rangefinders, and other surveying instruments
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High-performance computers with GPUs, tablets, and external drives
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Licensed software and AI tools including Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Canva
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Art supplies, cameras, and visualization tools
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Books, maps, and research guides
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Members can check out materials directly from the ATASA Laboratory, ATASA Library, or Museum Collection, depending on the nature of their project. Access is managed by the designated ATASA staff member in the items corresponding sector. Priority is given to official ATASA initiatives, ATASA executives and Ontario-based, student-led research.
Core Research & Collections
Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing
AI is at the heart of ATASA’s scientific and creative work.
Our high-performance computing system, powered by advanced GPU architecture, supports deep learning, predictive modeling, image classification, and environmental simulation.
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Artificial intelligence tools are applied across our projects to:
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Analyze satellite, drone, and aerial imagery to monitor land-use change.
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Generate predictive ecological models and time-series analyses.
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Study social and cultural archives through natural language processing.
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Create dynamic, data-informed visual art and design.
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The integration of AI allows our researchers and artists to process vast datasets, visualize invisible patterns, and translate complexity into understanding.
Field and Survey Instruments
Our equipment ranges from historic surveying tools to modern geospatial instruments, including precision theodolites, total stations, and GNSS/RTK GPS receivers. These instruments not only serve current fieldwork but also represent a living record of scientific heritage. They allow researchers to bridge past and present methods in mapping and measurement.
Book Library
The ATASA Library includes scientific texts, environmental studies, historical works, and both fiction and non-fiction titles that helped shape ATASA’s values. The collection reflects the organization’s roots in curiosity, reflection, and critical thinking, balancing empirical research with artistic insight.
Map and Data Library
The ATASA Map Library preserves cartographic works, satellite imagery, and field-generated maps. It functions as both a research archive and a creative space where members combine historical cartography with modern GIS and remote sensing data.
Geological and Microscopy Resources
The rock and mineral collection supports material analysis, environmental education, and artistic interpretation. Complemented by optical and digital microscopes, researchers can examine natural and synthetic materials at fine scales, from mineral crystals to pigments in artworks.
Art Gallery and Creative Studio
The ATASA Art Gallery celebrates member artworks inspired by the natural world, astronomy, and the intersection of science and human imagination. Exhibited pieces range from paintings and mixed-media works to digital installations and AI-assisted visualizations — many created through ATASA’s multidisciplinary research and artistic community.​
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Members can visit the studio to select the materials they need for approved ATASA projects or creative research. The laboratory and gallery operate on a lending and checkout system similar to the ATASA Library and Field Laboratory, ensuring that resources are shared responsibly among active members.
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Available Materials and Tools
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Members may borrow or use, on-site or by request:
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Paints: professional-grade acrylics, oils, and watercolors
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Painting surfaces: stretched canvases, boards, and mixed-media papers
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Drawing and illustration tools: charcoal, graphite, ink, markers, and precision pens
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Sculptural materials: clay, plaster, resin, and sustainably sourced wood
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Digital design resources: tablets, AI-powered creative software, and access to Canva Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud
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Studio equipment: easels, lighting setups, brushes, carving tools, and protective gear
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All materials are catalogued and can be checked out through the ATASA Laboratory and Creative Studio. Members are encouraged to plan their projects with the studio team to ensure they have the right supplies and space for their work.
Purpose
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The ATASA Creative Studio exists to turn ideas into visual research — transforming scientific data, field observations, and cultural histories into expressive works of art. It is a space where environmental science meets creative exploration, and where each brushstroke, texture, or algorithm tells part of the broader ATASA story.
Geological and Microscopy Resources
The rock and mineral collection supports material analysis, environmental education, and artistic interpretation. Complemented by optical and digital microscopes, researchers can examine natural and synthetic materials at fine scales, from mineral crystals to pigments in artworks.