Innovation

Despite the construction industry being fairly stagnant compared to faster growing industries such as the technological industry, IMC has made advances in innovation in recent years. IMC Construction is a leader in Building Information Modeling (BIM), a computerized process for information management throughout the construction process, allowing IMC to create 3D models of their projects before anything is done in person. This innovative approach allows everyone involved in the project to have a uniform, consistent, and clear idea of the project to coordinate their respective activities and as a result, shortens overall construction time. Similarly, Cottone used BIM to create multiple hospital buildings, consulting with healthcare professionals, such as nurses and doctors, on the layout of the hospital rooms to maximize operational efficiency and design.

As an industry leader in the Philadelphia area, Cottone proposed where he thinks the construction industry is headed. He foresees a consolidation between the design and construction processes, involving builders early in the designs that architects construct thus increasing efficiency.

Advanced Outpatient Care Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Inspiration

Cottone stressed that attitude and culture are extremely important when “moving the needle in sustainability,” and that these aspects have led to new policies, procedures, and projects. IMC tests their workers during the recruiting process to make sure they are a “team player” and treat others with respect. In our interview, Cottone said “you can teach skills, but not how people are wired.” IMC draws inspiration from collaboration between employees, designers, and clientele, creating a culture where creativity is encouraged. Most notably, Cottone argues that culture is more of a determinant of innovation than advanced technology or high-tech tools.

Overall impact

IMC works to integrate the primary desires of the client with the needs of the community, its employees, and the environment. IMC’s focus on the small, subtle changes to its company (with examples stated throughout the article) have created larger, longer-term benefits such as economic growth, customer and employee satisfaction, and a positive sustainable impact; thus, proving that no aspect of running a successful business needs to be compensated.

Business benefit

For ten years, The Philadelphia Inquirer has ranked IMC Construction as one of the top workplaces in the Philadelphia area. Cottone has attributed this success to IMC’s workplace culture. Robert Cottone and his employees have created a culture that fosters collaboration and creativity to increase innovation. For example, Cottone highlighted that the walls in their offices are painted with dry erase paint, allowing employees to draw ideas on the walls and to promote teamwork. Fostering collaboration in the workplace grows connectedness, which is proven to increase productivity and innovation, as well as make employees happier.

As a whole, Cottone stated that the construction industry has made a positive transition to a more sustainable approach to building even in small ways such as the chemicals they use in paint. This has made sustainability a requirement for a successful construction company.

Social and environmental benefit

In many of their projects, IMC tries to implement fitness space, outdoor space, and other types of recreational space to create more sustainable environments, with the guiding principle that sustainability is people-related. Throughout the lifespan of each project, IMC aims to substitute materials or methods for more sustainable solutions. For example, Cottone mentioned that it was the common practice to throw every piece of trash in the same bin. Nowadays, Cottone highlighted that the trash generated from every project gets separated into numerous trash bins such as recyclables, wood, metals, regular trash, etc.

Many of the projects IMC undergoes are LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED certified buildings are assessed on how sustainable and environmentally sensitive they are and given a rating. Cottone emphasized one particular project that made a great sustainability impact. Ten years ago, Project Vertical Screen was the third highest LEED certified building in the country with high levels of energy conservation, utilizing geothermal drilling to achieve low energy consumption. Geothermal drilling involves drilling a well and pipe into the ground to take advantage of Earth’s natural heat production. This system allows for a more sustainable water-heating solution comparative to other methods that burn fossil fuels to generate heat.

Similarly, IMC Construction worked with a pharmaceutical company to build its space right next to a quarry, making use of the water’s natural heating system by drilling a pipe from the bottom of the quarry to the building. This demonstrates how small structural alterations can have major environmental impacts.

Not only do sustainability practices affect the surrounding communities, they also affect the personnel that want to work for IMC. Such practices attract employees with aligning values who want to work towards the same goals, thus creating a cyclical benefit for the employees, company, and surrounding community.

Interview

Robert Cottone, CEO