Construction Professionals Bring Value to the Table

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Robert Cottone, IMC’s President/CEO dis

Robert Cottone, IMC’s President/CEO discusses how BIM is being utilized on our Endo Project. http://ow.ly/8qU8b

Building Information Modeling Part 1- Intro/Comparison with traditional CAD

Building Information Modeling (aka BIM) is the latest evolution of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and has many advantages over traditional CAD applications and processes. Most CAD applications follow traditional hand drafting processes and use digital tools instead of pens and pencils to draw lines, circles and arcs to define various building components. Just like in traditional hand drafting, CAD makes it necessary to draw the same thing various times to represent it in plan, section and elevation. If a door or wall changes dimensions or locations you have to redraw it in all the various views. This makes creating design options and iterations labor intensive and fraught with error. A door may measure 3’0” in a plan view but an elevation view may show the width as 3’6”; and maybe it wasn’t even shown on the door schedule (oops). This is because the plan, elevation and schedule are just lines and text with no relationship to each other except in the mind of the designer.
Enter BIM. In a Building Information Model the door is an intelligent object that has both 2d and 3d characteristics that ensure that all representations of the door in the construction documents are consistent, coordinated and computable. The plan, section, elevation and door schedule are all looking at the same object, and if that objects changes dimensions or location, all the views and reports update automatically. I’ve used a door as an example but the same parametric intelligence applies to walls, floors, structural members, ducts, pipes etc. BIM enables the creation of better coordinated construction documents since it manages many of the changes that users sometimes miss.
Much like the benefits that materialized when design and construction professionals went from hand drafting to computer aided design; there is now a growing list of benefits possible throughout design, construction and commissioning due to Building Information Modeling.
Not only does BIM help create better 2d construction documents but because it also creates a 3d intelligent model with functional and aesthetic characteristics it can be leveraged for visualization, simulation, and building performance analysis. More on this to follow.

Verderame Joins National Construction Firm

IMC Construction announces that Thomas Verderame, LEED AP has joined the Production Team as a Project Executive.

In his position as Project Executive at IMC Construction, Mr. Verderame will be leading an initiative to coordinate the efforts of the Production Staff in maintaining construction quality, timely delivery of projects and ensure superior customer satisfaction and will be overseeing a number of healthcare projects. Mr. Verderame adds to IMC’s extensive expertise in healthcare project including, hospital expansions and renovations, surgery centers and medical office buildings.

Mr. Verderame brings years of experience in the execution of Healthcare, Higher Education, Biotech and LEED^®/ Sustainable construction projects. His industry knowledge, the ability to identify and exceed his clients’ objectives, and the wealth of technology and services offered by IMC Construction is a combination for success for IMC clients and their construction needs.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tom to the IMC team. His extensive knowledge of the construction industry coupled with his experience in managing large complex healthcare projects will assist IMC’s clients achieve their projects’ construction and development goals in an expeditious and cost effective manner,” states Robert Cottone, IMC’s President /Chief Executive Officer.

IMC has been named most Philanthropic Co

IMC has been named most Philanthropic Company by the Philadelphia Business Journal

Healthcare Construction Continues Despite Slow Economy

IMC Construction Groundbreaking- Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse

PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 17, 2011) – Despite the sluggish economy and slow to recover construction industry, the healthcare sector continues to build.  IMC Construction and Penn Medicine mark the start of construction on the Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse facility at a ceremony being held March 25^th at Noon in the lobby of 1800 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.

IMC Construction has been contracted to furnish Preconstruction and Design Build Services for The University of Pennsylvania Health System at their existing PENN Rittenhouse Campus. The facility is presently in operation as a Hospital with ambulance services and patient care and will continue to see patients throughout construction.

The first level will be converted into space for the user group, Physical Medicine Rehabilitation. This 11,000 square foot suite will consist of Clinical Exam space, Faculty and Administrative Offices along with support services.

The former Radiology Suite will be converted into 15,000 square foot area outpatient Rehabilitation Suite for Good Shepherd Penn Partners. The suite will consist of Physical Therapy and Gym space for Ortho and Neuro patients, Clinical Exam space, Treatment rooms, and Administrative spaces with support services.

The renovations also include additional fit-out area for future tenants and PENN Medical Records, replacement of mechanical systems, and a cosmetic renovation to the second floor Simulation Center used to educate physicians and nurses.

The project team includes PENN Medicine, Stantec, IMC Construction with Burt Hill Architects. Demolition and Hazmat Abatement are presently underway with ICRA 4 precautions in place. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

IMC’s Best Real Estate Deals

IMC is the Most Recognized Contractor on the List of Best Real Estate Deals

Three of IMC’s projects have been recognized as Best Real Estate Deals of 2010 by the Philadelphia Business Journal. This makes IMC the most recognized contractor on the list. Best Green Project, New Construction 3 Crescent Drive, Philadelphia Navy Yard  Best Residential Suburban Project Spring Mill Senior Living at Coldstream Crossing, Phoenixville, PA Best Institutional/ Educational Project Sovereign Grace Church, Marlton, NJ Spring Mill Senior Living at Coldstream Crossing - Best Residential Suburban Project Sovereign Grace Church - Best Institutional / Educational Project 3 Crescent Dr. Philadelphia Navy Yard - Best Green Project, New Construction

Why Build Green?

The benefits of green building are multifaceted. The obvious advantage is environmental. Green building can improve air and water quality, enhance and protect ecosystems, reduce solid waste and conserve natural resources.
There are also direct and indirect financial benefits to high performance buildings.

Less toxic materials and improved ventilation lead to healthier employees and therefore less sick days and a possible reduction in healthcare costs. Healthier employees means better quality of life and therefore less turnover. Studies confirm that work environments that with abundant light, efficient ventilation and lower toxicity lead to comfortable more productive occupants.

Direct financial benefits are reduced operating costs. High performance buildings use energy more efficiently and resulting in high ROI. “LEED® certified buildings perform 25-30% better than non-LEED buildings in terms of
energy use. Gold and Platinum LEED certified buildings have energy savings approaching 50%.” Green building becomes a financial asset to the owners; they have a greater marketing potential and higher lease rates with less tenant turnover.

The benefits of LEED building also extend to the community. Typically, green buildings are a welcome asset to a community because they demonstrate shared values.
To learn more about the benefits of building green, call the Green Building Experts at IMC Construction 610-889-3600
1. U.S. EPA Characterization of Construction and Demolition Debris in the United States, 1997 Update.
2. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1718
3. New Buildings Institute, Energy Performance in LEED® for New Construction Buildings, March 4, 2008